CULTIVATION OF POT-PLANTS 123 



may be effectively provided by means of suitable evergreen climbers 

 with small leaves. These should not, however, be permitted to 

 grow over the roof, as they would thus interfere with the light and 

 ventilation, rendering the interior unsuitable for the growth of 

 plants. In India, a layer of grass placed on the roof is often used 

 for shade, while in Ceylon coir-netting is generally employed for 

 the purpose. In the hill districts, the growing of tender tropical 

 plants am usually be carried on only by means of a greenhouse 

 or at least a well-protected or glazed verandah. A green-house may 

 be easily heated by a flue passing from a lire and stoke-hold out- 

 side to within, and then under the plant-staging. An excellent 

 green-house, built on this principle, may be seen in Hakgala 

 Gardens, Ceylon. 



Propagating frames. Glazed frames are most useful adjuncts 

 to up-country gardens. The frames may be varied in size 

 according to requirements, and should always be movable, i.e., 

 not fixtures. Bottom-heat may be provided for a propagating 

 frame by means of a hot-bed made of fermenting horse-dung, the 

 latter being heaped in a deep pit, covered over with a layer of fine 

 soil, and the glazed frame placed over it. 



CULTIVATION OF POT-PLANTS 



The successful cultivation of the choicer kinds of ornamental 

 plants in pots is a branch of horticulture which demands special 

 care and a certain amount of skill. A knowledge of the require- 

 ments of each class, gained by observation of their growth and 

 general progress, is the most valuable guidance in the matter. An 

 important condition, both for the health and appearance of the 

 plants, is cleanliness ; therefore the foliage should be frequently 

 syringed, or sponged with soapy water if necessary, and the pots 

 scrubbed to prevent the growth of moss or lichen upon them. 



Potting plants. The essential requirements for this opera- 

 tion are clean earthenware pots, a suitable compost of soil, and 

 broken pieces of potsherds or porous tiles, etc. Commencing with 

 the drainage of the pot, a crock (piece of potsherd) is placed, con- 

 cave side down, over the hole in the bottom ; around and over this 

 are placed more crocks, finishing with smaller ones, the drainage 

 being then about an inch deep; over this should be laid some moss 

 or coir fibre to prevent the soil clogging the drainage. A layer of 

 the potting compost being then filled in, the plant is placed in the 

 centre, the soil being filled in around it and pressed firmly. A space 

 of about i-inch from the rim should be left for the purpose of 



