Potting and Waterinff. 39 



tell on the health of the plant, which will not be the 

 case if the pot is washed before using. 



After giving the pot what you consider proper 

 drainage, put in a little soil, then take the plant by 

 the neck with your hand, let the roots hang loosely in 

 the pot, keep the neck of the plant fair in the centre, 

 and with the other hand heap up the soil loosely in 

 the pot. Bump it down smartly several times, pressing 

 home the soil with the thumbs at the same time. This 

 ensures the ball of the plant being of the same firmness 

 throughout. In shifting an established plant into 

 a larger pot, proceed in the same way, keeping the 

 plant in the centre and the surface of the ball a little 

 below the level of the pot, taking care that all round 

 the sides is properly filled in, no vacancies being left ; 

 a moderate ramming down with a stick will ensure 

 this being done. Always leave room for watering; 

 and with a settling bump or two to the pot, the potting 

 is completed. 



After potting, water with a fine rose, if you have one, 

 if not, pour the water on gently, but do not by any 

 means give too much at first. Just give enough to 

 settle the soil, and let it rest for some hours before yoa 

 give any more. Giving too much, or, as I may say, 

 soaking the ball at first, does the plant harm, as it 

 makes the ball like a puddle. A little at first settles 

 the soil, and when you water again, the water perco- 

 lates freely through the ball and drains away at once. 



In shifting a plant into a larger sized pot, the proper 

 rule is to select a pot in which the one you are to shift 

 from can stand easily. A rooted cutting should only 



