CHAP. III. POTS. f ;i 



speaks of his success in raising annuals from actually flooding 

 the ground " when the seeds were sown ;" a treatment which 

 Mr. John Scott strongly condemns as opposed to theory and 

 practice.* And lastly Mr. John M'Elroy directs even for the 

 humid climate of England : " before you sow the seed, ' let the 

 soil be well soaked with water.' "t It appears to me that if 

 proper attention be given to drainage, the only effect of the 

 soil being in a moist condition when the sowing is made, is to 

 soften the hard integument of the seed and thus enable it 

 to germinate the more speedily. Unless the soil be drenched to 

 excess, so as to be kept in a sodden state, it will be found, 

 except perhaps during the Bains, to dry up far too soon for the 

 seed to rot through wet. 



Pots in which seeds are sown may be, and indeed are the better 

 for being, kept in a dark place till the seeds show indication of 

 germinating. They should then be immediately removed to where 

 they may have as much light and air as possible, provided they 

 be sheltered from strong winds, heavy rains, and direct sunshine. 



POTS AND POT-CULTUEE. 



For the cultivation of some of the choicer kinds of plants, 

 as well as for seed-sowing, pots are absolutely necessary. As 

 utensils of earthenware, similar to that of which flower-pots are 

 made, are in universal use among the natives, potters are always 

 to be met with. Hence pots may, nearly everywhere, be easily 

 obtained to order, at a very reasonable rate. The pots vary, 

 however, very much in different localities as regards the good- 

 ness and durability of the material of which they are made. 

 Some soon break to pieces by any little force applied to them, 

 or crumble away by exposure to weather ; while others have a 

 ring like that of a bell, and last uninjured for a great length of 

 time. Much depends, I believe, upon the quantity of salt 

 existing in the earth of which they are made. It is advisable 

 to have a large stock in hand of all sizes, ranging from the 

 smallest to the largest. These should not be allowed to lie 

 out, neglected and exposed to the weather, but should be stored 

 neatly away, somewhere under cover, ready for use when 

 wanted. Any old pots, likewise, when out of use, should be 



* * Journal of the Agri-Hort. Society/ vol. i., New Series, p. 192. 



t ' Gardener's Magazine/ conducted by Shirley Hibberd, for 18GG, p. 206. 



