no POT-POURRI FROM A SURREY GARDEN 



to avoid the pungent vapours and to thicken slightly. 

 Dip the corked tops of the bottles while holding them 

 horizontally over the pot, and turn them round, so as to 

 run the extra stuff into the joint ; they are the better for a 

 second dip. Leave the remains of the wax to harden in 

 the pot, which should be used for this purpose only. It can 

 be melted again at any time, and more added as wanted. 

 May ^Qth. — A good deal of real gardening pleasure 

 and satisfactory ornamental effect is to be had from 

 growing plants in pots and tubs, vases and vessels of all 

 kinds, both in small and big gardens. I use large Sea- 

 kale pots, when they are no longer wanted for the 

 Sea-kale, by turning them upside down, putting two bits 

 of slate in the bottom of the pot, some drainage and a 

 few lumps of turf, and filling it up with really good soil. 

 As a variety a Ehubarb-pot is useful. If you live near a 

 pottery, they will turn you out pots to any shape you 

 fancy. Mat ones, like those used by house-painters, 

 make a pleasant change, especially for small bulbs ; also 

 petroleum casks cut in two, burnt inside, then tarred and 

 painted. It must never, of course, be in any case for- 

 gotten to have holes large enough to make good drainage. 

 I use butter casks treated in the same way, and have 

 some little oak tubs in which buUion came from America. 

 These are very strong ; and some water-loving plants do 

 much better in wood, since the evaporation in summer is 

 not nearly so rapid as from the earthenware. That is an 

 important thing to remember, both as regards sun and 

 wind. If the plants are at all delicate, and brought out of 

 a greenhouse, the pots, when standing out, ought to be 

 either quite sunk into the earth or shaded. This cannot, 

 of course, be done in the case of pots placed on a wall or 

 terrace, or on a stand ; constant care about watering is, 

 therefore, essential. Even in wet weather they often 

 want more water if the sun comes out, as the rain 



