Keeping Plants Hale and Hearty 81 



collar on the outside of the pot, not filled up to 

 the top. This will give some space for holding 

 surplus water, later to soak away, when the plant 

 is being watered. 



Plants being put into fairly large pots, 4-inch 

 or more, will need crocking. "Crocking" is 

 one of the words bequeathed to us by the gar- 

 deners of old England. It means the placing of 

 some rough material in the bottom of the pot, 

 over the hole, to make good drainage certain. 

 I suppose the term comes from the fact that 

 pieces of l)roken pots or crocks are used for this 

 purpose. Methods of arranging the crocking 

 are shown in the illustration on page 114. 



A little sphagnum moss or leaf mould placed 

 over the drainage material, before the soil is put 

 in, prevents any of the soil from washing through 

 the hole. This is an especially desirable feature 

 where plants are to be brought into the house, 

 or used as gifts. 



Growing Periods and Resting Periods 



There is one more very important thing to 

 learn about your plants, if you do not happen to 

 be aware of it already: Plants, like folks, require 

 vacations. Their rest periods are well provided 

 for in nature's scheme of things, and they will go 

 on strike if you attempt to keep them working 



