16 STOVE PL4NTS. 



the compost yard, so that none may be ever used which is- 

 not thoroughly decomposed. 



Sand. — This should be kept under cover, and may be 

 either white or brown. The white or silver sand procured 

 at Eeigate in Surrey is the best ; next to this comes a white- 

 sand found in Bedfordshire, and after that sharp river sand. 



These various kinds of soil being stored up in the compost 

 yard, and fit for use, any of the mixtures recommended in 

 the following pages can be made up for use, as required. 



POTTING. 



HE first things to be considered are the Pots. Of 

 these, however, we need say but a few words, as 

 every one is well acquainted with flower pots. 

 For specimen Stove or Greenhouse Plants, the best pots are 

 those with a movable bottom, because the plant can be set 

 upon a stand, the pot gently slipped down, and the condition 

 of its roots and drainage examined with the greatest ease to 

 the operator, and perfect safety to the specimen. Next comes 

 the drainage. On this subject very little will be said in the 

 body of this work, not because it is of little consequence, for 

 we hold it to be of the highest importance, but because it is 

 not a thiug which bears reading over many times, for it is 

 utterly impossible to make the draining of a flower pot an 

 interesting subject. Therefore we say, once for all, drain 

 well, or success will never be realised. By draining well, 

 we do not mean the throwing of a large quantity of potsherds 

 into the pot in a careless manner, but placing a few pieces- 

 carefully — a large piece over the hole, some smaller ones 

 round about and over this, with the hollow side downwards, 

 and finishing off with still smaller ones, or some charcoal,. 



