290 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



from the parent plant, as when full of sap they are liable to decay. These 

 remarks apply to the numerous flowering Cacti, Rochea falcata, Crassula, 

 or Kalosanthes coccinea, and such subjects. The best cuttings of these 

 flowering Cacti are furnished by the shoots from four inches to six inches 

 long, pulled off at the base from their point of union with the main stem. 

 A little brick rubble mixed with the soil is in their case an advantage. 



Propagation by cuttings must be resorted to in order to increase any 

 particular variety among the numerous florist's flowers, for such things 

 as Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, Begonias, and similar subjects cannot be 

 raised from seed with the knowledge that the progeny will resemble the 

 parent plant. Raising seedlings of such things is, however, very in- 

 teresting, and there is always the chance of obtaining something good. 



Potting. This is an important operation in plant-culture, and suc- 

 cess depends upon the way in which this work is managed. The first 

 consideration is to see that the pots used are thoroughly clean. When 

 dirty, wash them inside and out, and allow them 

 to get quite dry again before use. Proper drain- 

 age, too, is essential. This is provided by placing 

 a piece of broken flower-pot, known as a crock, 

 over the hole in the bottom, and a few other 

 smaller crocks around it. Oyster-shells form a 



good substitute for broken crocks ; indeed, by 



many they are preferred. Whichever is used, 



FIG. 19. Shows Drain- place them with the concave side downwards, 



age m Flower-pot. ag by SQ doing surplus water runs away freely ^ 



On this, composed of whereas, if the convex portion is placed directly 



fa? b7plS S 'a Sh luk over the hole, a very little soil will stop the 



moss, or turfy soil, be- drainage. The soil employed must be in an even 



fore filling with mould, condition of moisture, as mentioned under the head 



of potting-soils. The operation of shifting a plant 



from the pot in which it has been growing into a larger one is carried out in 

 the following manner : First take care that the ball of earth of the plant 

 that one is going to shift is neither too wet nor too dry ; then remove 

 it from the pot by turning it nearly upside down, supporting what was 

 the upper surface of the ball of earth with the left hand, and holding the 

 pot in the right. A sharp tap of the edge of the pot on the potting- 

 bench will bring the entire ball of earth out of the pot, and, as its weight 

 then falls directly on the left hand, take care that at that moment it does 

 not drop. Then remove the crocks, without bruising or injuring the 

 roots in any way. This done, loosen with a pointed stick some of the 

 principal roots that are wound round the ball of earth, so that they will 

 more readily take possession of the new soil when potted. Of course, 

 this must be carried out carefully ; but a little practice will soon deter- 

 mine the extent to which the roots can be disturbed without injury, 

 in fact, to the future benefit of the plant, which will be now ready for the 

 new pot. Its size will, of course, depend upon the kind of plant to be 

 potted and its condition, but generally a good healthy plant, when shifted, 

 should be put into a pot sufficiently large to allow a space of an inch 



