THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 71 



soil moist, neither dry nor wet. If the soil is very dry and the plant 

 roots very plentiful you would have difficulty in wetting some of them; 

 if wet, tlieu the packing will make it close and hard. Now put soil 

 enough in the pot to bring the plant in a proper position when filled; 

 pack the soil as you fill, knocking the pot on the bottom, so that you 

 shake the soil perfectly among the roots. As winter is the time house 

 plants are most looked to, if the plants have been where worms can 

 get at them, be sure that you take them all out, or your drainage will 

 be stoj^ped, the soil soured by stagnant water, and the plant become 

 unhealthy. The health of the roots is the first and most important 

 point. Witliout healthy roots you may never expect healthy tops. 

 Plants are frequently destroyed through the summer months. Some 

 are plunged out into beds in the spring and recklessly torn up in the 

 fall', as the feeding roots are either through the bottom or over the 

 top of the pot, it is impossible to save them. Others are kept on a 

 stand basking in the sun, so that the strictest attention cannot keep 

 them from being dried up and ruined. Many are potted in this way 

 with the appearance of good roots when they are already dead and 

 dried up. The best plan for winter plants is to stand them in some 

 cool sheltered corner, away from the direct rays of the sun, during the 

 summer, giving little or no water, but just sufticient to keep tliem from 

 flagging. Do not set them under trees or other places from which 

 wmter may drip npon them. 



Potting should be done early in September, shaking away as much 

 of the old ball as you can without breaking the roots, and repotting 

 with fresh soil. Beware of over-potting; many plants suffer more 

 from this cause than any other. Give room to allow fresh soil around 

 them if the ball is well matted Avith roots, if not reduce the size of 

 your pot. It does no harm to knock the plant out on your hand and 

 examine the roots. If you see at any time tlie appearance of worms, 

 look round the ball or under tlie crocks and you will be sure to find 

 them. When you have finished potting, stand the plants back in some 

 warm shady corner, and keep from the sun for ten days. Give a 

 good watering by thoroughly wetting the ball, and then give no more 

 than will keep them from fading until you see them starting into 

 growing order. Before putting them in the house be sure that they 

 are free from insects. Lay the leaves flat upon your hand, and wasli 

 with a soft bnish or sponge and warm water, especially the underside 



