THE GROWING OF PLANTS IN POTS 25 
soil should contain some moisture, but not enough to 
make it stick to the hand. If the pots are new, soak 
them before using; old pots should be washed. The 
plants must be well watered two or three hours before 
transplanting. 
Place a layer of pebbles 
in the pot, then half an 
inch of the coarse mate- 
rial that would not pass 
through the screen. Add 
enough soil so that the 
pot will be half full after 
it is well packed. With 
a table knife lift a plant 
from the pot in which the 
shps have been growing, 
taking up as much earth 
on the roots as possible. 
ios Z Fie. 18. Section of a Flowerpot con- 
Set it in the middle of a taining a Geranium Plant 
four-inch pot and fill in 
with soil. Push the soil down with the thumbs so that 
the plant will be between them. Give it an even pressure 
on all sides, taking care to disturb the roots as little as 
possible while the soil is being packed in firmly. Leave 
half an inch at the top for holding water. Water the 
plant with a garden sprinkler and set it in the shade 
for several days. 
Repotting geraniums. Geraniums bloom best in small 
pots, but plants that have been growing in four-inch 
