DECEMBER: THIRD WEEK 331 



hard with a blunt stick or the handle of a trowel; put in 

 another layer of ^oil and treat it the same way. There is 

 not much danger that you will pack the soil too hard, but 

 there is much danger that you will not get it firm enough. 

 It is not necessary to cover the plant any deeper than it 

 was covered before; a few of the roots may show at the 

 surface where they join the stem, but instead of hilKng up 

 round them let the earth slope up toward the edge of the 

 pot, leaving a depression at the center. This will be a help 

 in keeping the earth ball thoroughly wet. 



After repotting the plant give it a thorough watering; 

 then withhold water for a week or so, but give the foliage 

 a daily sprinkling or syringing. When the plant begins 

 to show signs of new growth give more water round the 

 roots, meantime keeping it in a shady place and not too 

 warm. If it requires trimming into shape cut it back 

 before new wood begins to form. As soon as it becomes 

 estabhshed in the new pot keep it where it will get an 

 abundance of Hght and fresh air. Do not let it lack for 

 water, and as soon as the weather is warm enough in spring 

 it may be plunged into the shrubbery border or some place 

 near the house where it will be in partial shade during the 

 heat of the day, and where it may be easily cared for. 

 Take it into the house again just before freezing weather, 

 keep it cool until you are ready to force it into flower again, 

 and then give a httle more heat and moisture. Apply 

 liquid manure or nitrate of soda as the buds begin to swell. 



Araucarias, Begonias, and Cyclamens. 



The Araucaria, or Norfolk Island Pine, has become a 

 favorite Christmas plant. This is as often kiUed by over- 

 care as is the azalea by neglect. When it comes to you at 

 Christmas, instead of being at the height of its season of 

 active growth, hke the azalea, it is at the middle of its 

 natural dormant period. Instead of the high temperature 

 and abundance of water that are usually given, it should 

 be kept in as cool a position as possible and watered very 



