Gardening for Amateurs 



465 



pots, then a few tree leaves gathered the 

 previous autumn, and on the leaves some of 

 the rougher portion of the compost. A 

 tablespoonful of soot 

 may be sprinkled on 

 the leaves, too ; it 

 will keep earthworms 

 out to a great extent. 

 Place in so much 

 soil (making it firm 

 with a wooden ram- 

 mer) that when the 

 ball of soil and roots 

 is put on it the top 

 of the latter is some 

 2 inches below the 

 rim of the pot. Fill 

 up to this point with 

 the new compost, and 

 make it firm ; there 

 will then be ample 

 room left for water- 

 ing, feeding, and top- 

 dressing in due 

 course. 



When Potted. 

 Put the pots so that 

 they touch each other, 

 in double rows, or 

 even four rows to- 

 gether, for about ten 

 days or a fortnight. 

 The soil will not then 

 dry up too quickly, 

 and a daily syringing 

 will obviate the ne- 

 cessity for soil water- 

 ing for at least three 

 days. Then it should 

 be given thoroughly 

 to moisten the soil 

 through. Continue to 

 water very carefully. 

 The final position for 

 summer should be 

 exposed to the sun- 

 shine during the 

 greater part of the 

 day. "Drive in some 

 strong stakes about 7 

 feet apart forming 

 rows running north 

 and south. To the 

 30 



stakes fix wires, two for the tallest, and 

 one for the dwarf plants. The rows should 

 be about 6 feet apart, the pots a little 



