PROPER TREATMENT. 



45 



Having provided the "good ground," we now need 



something to hold it. 

 that of 



So the question next in order is 



SUITABLE POTS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



1. The common earthen pots, unpainted and unglazed, 

 are by far the best. They have the recommendation of 

 being cheap, and especially that of being porous. This 

 quality is very important, because it allows a better drain- 

 age and ventilation of the soil in the pot a condition in- 

 dispensable to many kinds of plants, and especially to such 

 as are of delicate constitution and habits. You can easily 



Fig. 6. REMOVING THE BALL. 



keep these pots looking well by an occasional use of the 

 sponge, or may set them into larger sizes of the more or- 

 namental kinds. Let them be accompanied by saucers of 

 the same material, unless they are to stand in a garden- 

 box having sand at the bottom. 



2. The form of the pots should be as it commonly is 

 that of a truncated cone, or smaller at the bottom 

 than the top. You will sometimes need to remove the 

 ball of earth for examination, and can not do it conven- 

 iently, if at all, with any other form. 



3. To remove the ball without disturbing the roots, 



