358 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



tender roots. A layer of soil should cover the drainage material just 

 referred to, and on this place the ball of the repotted plant evenly. Work 

 in the compost between the ball of the repotted plant and the pot, using 

 a stout label for the purpose, or any flat piece of wood about an inch and 

 a half wide and half an inch thick. Ram the soil in firmly with this simple 

 arrangement, and if the pot be rapped occasionally on the potting-bench 

 during the process of repotting, keeping the thumbs on the surface of 

 the ball of earth at the same time, the soil settles down firmly and the 

 operation is complete. The surface of the ball must be sufficiently below 

 the rim of the pot to allow water to be given. When removing the rooted 

 cuttings from the pots and boxes, disturb the roots as little as possible. 

 After the first repotting remove the plants to a temporary frame for 

 a few days, gradually inuring them to the more airy conditions of the 

 greenhouse. They may then be placed on the shelves near the glass, 

 and kept growing steadily until they are removed into frames outside. 



Placing Young Plants in Cold Frames. Early March is a good 

 time to place the earliest plants which were raised in the cool green- 

 house outdoors in cold frames. Of course, this depends in a large 

 measure upon the weather. However, when it is possible to do this 

 work, stand the plants on ashes, not pot to pot, and keep them well 

 up under the glass to promote sturdy growth. Admit air carefully, 

 taking advantage of fine days to give a more abundant supply. Avoid 

 draughts from the cutting easterly and north-easterly winds, which 

 quickly interfere with the plants' progress. As the season advances 

 more air may be given, until on fine days in early April, the frame-lights 

 may be removed. 



Standing Plants, in the Open. In the south of England, where a 

 sheltered position can be provided, stand the plants outdoors about 

 middle of April, and if the aspect be a warm one say, south or west 

 and protection can be afforded from the cold winds from other quarters, 

 no better place could be chosen. Where the situation is low and damp, 

 delay from a week to ten days later before putting out the plants in 

 the open. In the Midlands make the date for placing them outdoors 

 a week later than that first mentioned, and in the north the first week in 

 May is the time to ensure safety. 



Subsequent Repottings.By early April a second repotting will 

 be needful, and if the plants can be well established in these larger pots 

 before they are placed outdoors so much the better. The plants in large 

 sixties (three and a half inch pots) should be potted up into thirty-twos 

 (six-inch pots), and those in small sixties (three-inch pots) into forty- 

 eights (five-inch pots). Spread this operation over some time, as the 

 plants are not all in the same condition, and will therefore need repot- 

 ting much earlier than those of a less vigorous growth. In this case 

 also see that the pots and crocks are scrupulously clean. For this shift 

 the compost must be richer and more lasting, the following ingredients 

 meeting their requirements at this somewhat early season. Of good 

 fibrous loam, by no means heavy or retentive, take four parts, one part 

 well-decayed leaf-mould, and one part of horse droppings, prepared as 



