62 OPERATIONS OF GARDENING. PART I. 



immediately well washed and put away. Uncleansed, dirty 

 pots are condemned by all good gardeners. 



For the sowing of seeds, broad and shallow pots are obviously 

 the best adapted. In the bazars wide, round pans, somewhat 

 of a pie-dish form, may commonly be met with at a very cheap 

 price, excellently adapted for the purpose. They must, before 

 being used, have a small hole broken through the bottom for 

 drainage. Pans of this description are also of the greatest use 

 to hold water, for pots with aquatic plants to stand in. 



SEASON FOR POTTING. 



With regard to the season most suited for potting, the 

 following very important directions are given by Sir J. Paxton : 



" There ought to be no such thing as a fixed period for universal 

 potting. Each specimen ought to be treated according to its indi- 

 vidual wants. No specimen should be repotted till it begins, or is 

 about to begin, growing."* 



" Potting is too frequently determined by date of month instead 

 of by progress of the season and state of vegetation. 



" It is an infallible maxim that plants should not be repotted till 

 some enlargement or development of their organs is apparent. 



" Early potting is injurious to plants. Water is liberally supplied 

 when they are wholly unprepared for its absorption. Thousands of 

 tender plants are annually thus destroyed. If the potting be deferred 

 till vegetation has commenced, plants will imbibe and evaporate the 

 water applied with all requisite facility. They will receive no check 

 if the potting be skilfully executed. 



" By potting at the proper period the appearance of the plant will 

 indicate the nature and extent of its subsequent growth, and the 

 size of the pot required."f 



" Ordinary plants, producing numberless fibrous roots, which are 

 rather benefited by nearness to the outside of the pot, should be 

 often and very gradually shifted. 



" The only circumstance which can justify repotting is a decided 

 indication of growth. Woody and herbaceous species must, like 

 the Orchidacess, never be potted till they show signs of advance- 

 ment. 



" A few exceptions may be made in the case of tuberous-rooted or 

 bulbous perennials, which may be potted immediately before the 

 period at which they usually form roots, as it is necessary to take 



* ' Magazine of Botany,' vol. x. p. 48. f Ibid. vol. vi. p. 71. 



