344 THE FORCING GARDEN. [FEB. 



twisting off any decayed leaves about the bottom of 

 the plant. This will cause them put out new fibres 

 from the stem, and very much encourage their 

 growth. But plants that are unhealthy, feeble, and 

 do not stand firm in their pots, should be shaken 

 out entirely, and be replaced in the same pots ; 

 trimming their roots according as they may need, 

 but retaining all fresh, healthy fibres. For the kind 

 of mould to be used, see Section II. on Soils for 

 Forced Fruits, page 291. 



Any plants that have already started into fruit, 

 should also be shaken out, and be fresh potted, as 

 above; which, by the check they receive, will keep 

 them back to a better season of ripening, and by the 

 force of fresh earth, make them swell their fruit 

 larger than they otherwise would have done. I have 

 thus new potted plants, even in flower, with very 

 much success, and have swelled the fruit to a size 

 far beyond my expectations ; of which fact any one 

 may easily satisfy himself, by fresh potting a few 

 plants, and comparing their progress with others 

 treated in the ordinary way. 



Let the plants be replunged to the brim as before, 

 keeping the pots quite level. If the plants be full 

 sized, and strong, they will require to be set at about 

 twenty inches apart, from centre to centre, on a me- 

 dium. But they should be sorted ; the smallest 

 placed in front, and the largest at back, as in arrang- 

 ing plants on a stage, that they may have an equal 

 share of sun and light. 



As soon as replaced in the bark-bed, let them have 

 a little water, to settle the earth about their roots. 



