52 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



tions are satisfactory to the work being done, the soil in the 

 large pots should be allowed to get just on the dry side by 

 withholding water the day prior to the task, and then it will 

 be found exceedingly easy to separate the plants without a 

 single root being injured. As soon as the comparatively 

 dry mass is turned out of the pot, place it on its side on 

 the blade of the spade or a piece of board procured for 

 the purpose, and steadily press downwards, when the mass 

 will crumble and the plants can be individually chosen for 

 immediately planting. 



It is most important when this is done that the soil shall 

 have been thoroughly soaked a few hours previously, so 

 that the roots shall not be put directly into dry soil, or they 

 will experience a check of more or less seventy. It may or 

 may not be deemed necessary to water afterwards ; as a 

 general rule it is wise to do so, since it will settle the soil 

 well down to the roots ; but in all instances watering should 

 be done in advance if the ground is dry. 



The distance of setting the plants, whether they are in 

 rows or clumps, will obviously be that at which the plants 

 will remain, since it is not now anticipated that there will 

 be any losses. Those who do not feel that they can sepa- 

 rate the masses without breaking several of the roots should 

 plant intact, and then draw out the stems to supports placed 

 at some distance from them, in order to ensure an ample 

 distance between the five in the group ; but unless this is 



