ON THE MONTHLY CALENDAR. 9? 



as referring to all kinds of annuals, biennials, and perennials. 

 In the first place, it is an act of violence on nature to remove 

 plants from the soil, when they are established and in a vi- 

 gorous growth, to a small pot of earth, perhaps of quite a 

 different compost from that in which they have been growing; 

 besides, they have in most cases their principal roots cut 

 asunder, which have extended several feet in search of a pro- 

 per nutriment; consequently, the natural channels that extract 

 food for the plant are severed from it, and its vigor is more 

 exhausted than nourished; the plant being thus enfeebled, 

 eventually loses a portion of its leaves, in proportion to the 

 loss of such members ; and this again weakens it, owing to its 

 losing, in a certain degree, its power of imbibing the moisture 

 of the atmospheric air. In this case, the plant has generally 

 to undergo a change in habit and growth, at a time when it is 

 least prepared for it, namely, before the approach of winter, 

 when it requires to be in full vigor, which can only be re- 

 gained by the most attentive and natural management 



Taking the plants from the ground and potting them. 

 If possible, an opportunity should be sought to take the plants 

 from the ground, or pot them, on a moist, humid day, after a 

 shower of rain. They should be taken carefully from the 

 ground, and their fibrous roots as much as possible retained. 

 Being taken from the ground, they should be immediately 

 potted, and well watered, and placed in a situation where 

 they are partially shaded, and have a free circulation of air: 

 it will be the better for them if they be placed under trees, 

 where the direct rays of the sun are withdrawn from them, 

 and a free circulation of air can act on them. In this situa- 

 tion, the plants must be regularly attended to, by keeping the 

 earth moderately moist, in order that they may root freely in 

 the new pots. All dead leaves should be taken from them as 

 they appear, being often very injurious to plants potted in 

 this way ; for the decaying leaves being in a state of putre- 

 faction, create an impure air, which is imbibed by the living 

 leaves, and sickens the plants. 



9 I 



