1 8 PLANT CULTURE 



A better way will be secured as follows: Soil which is to be used 

 for cuttings, and which is screened, will give excellent material in 

 the rough pieces which do not pass through the meshes; this should 

 be saved, mixed with thoroughly rotted cow manure, and put in a 

 box conveniently situated for future use. This gives splendid mate- 

 rial for drainage, especially for bedding plants, such as Geraniums 

 in 4-inch pots, Cannas in s-inch pots, and for young Chrysanthe- 

 mums. It will be found that that part of the pot holding this mix- 

 ture will have a great attraction for the roots. Where the pots are 

 to serve for growing plants in for any length of time, potsherds 

 should be used. With Palms, Ferns and such plants as Pandanus, 

 Dracaena and Maranta a carefully crocked pot is of great importance 

 in healthy root action. For Caladiums, Alocasias, Anthuriums and 

 other plants which require an abundant supply of water, careful 

 drainage is an absolute necessity. With fine-rooted plants, such as 

 Heaths and Azaleas, drainage is equally important. It will be 

 found good policy to have a supply of the different sizes of crocks 

 on hand all the time. The crocks should consist of three sizes, the 

 largest size in pieces from two to three inches across; the next large 

 enough to go through a No. i sieve, and the small size from one- 

 quarter to one-half-inch in diameter. The quickest way to procure 

 the different sizes is to break up the potsherds with a good-sized 

 hammer, so that the largest pieces are from two to three inches 

 across; put into a No. 4 to 6 sieve to screen out the dust and smaller 

 particles, which may be thrown away. Next screen through a half- 

 inch sieve and these will serve as the smallest-sized crocks. The 

 pieces which the half-inch sieve retain put into an inch sieve. This 

 will give the second size, and what is left will answer for pieces to 

 put over the holes in the bottoms of the pots. All three sizes should 

 be kept in separate boxes, or divisions on the potting bench, handy 

 for use. 



In crocking, spread out a number of pots on the bench, take a 

 piece of broken pot about twice the diameter of the hole in the bot- 

 tom of the pot, place the concave side of the crock directly over the 

 hole. If the pot is a small one, a few of the smaller-sized crocks over 

 the larger pieces will be sufficient; but if a 6-inch pot, or larger, 

 is it best to arrange a few large pieces around the first piece, finishing 

 off with smaller ones. 



On top of the crocks, to prevent the soil from getting among 

 them, either during the operation of potting or from being washed 

 down afterward, sphagnum moss is often used, although this is 

 not the best material for the purpose^ as it is apt to retain moisture 



