432 CONSTRUCTION OF GARDEN-POTS. 



flower. Another object is, to effect a secure and constant 

 drainage from roots of water; a third is, to expose the roots to 

 the most favourable amount of bottom-heat, which cannot be 

 readily accomplished when plants of large size are made to grow 

 in the ground even of a hothouse ; and, finally, it is a convenient 

 process for the nourishment of delicate seedlings. Unless some 

 one of these ends is to be answered, and cannot be effected in 

 a more natural manner, potting is better dispensed with. 



Many suggestions have been made with a view to improve the 

 construction of the common garden-pot. The following deserve to be 

 recorded. One is a contrivance by Mr. Fry, of Blackheath, for 

 examining the roots of plants in very large pots. It is not possible to 

 take the "baU" out of such pots by the usual process of inverting 

 them, and allowing the ball to drop, because they are too heavy. Mr, 

 Fry meets the difficulty by the following contrivance. A pot is made 

 ■with a moveable bottom, concave on the upper side like a saucer. 

 When the ball of such a pot is to be examined, the latter is placed 

 upon a heavy wooden block out into a cylindrical form, which forces 

 upwards the moveable bottom, and carries the ball with it without the 

 slightest disturbance. After the roots have been examined, the pot is 

 lifted upwards till the ball is replaced, and the wooden cyUnder is 

 removed. Mr. Beaton proposes to do away with the hole at the bottom 

 altogether ; and, instead of the flat bottom, the maker elevates the 

 centre of it, like the bottom of a common black bottle ; drainage-holes 

 being round the sides at the bottom. From two to six holes, according 

 to the size of the pot, are sufficient. " The roots cannot get through 

 the bottom, neither can the worms get in, and water cannot hang under 

 the pot in winter." Another proposal is, that when plants are intended 

 for bedding out, they should first be put into pots having both ends 

 open, and that the seeds should be sown on the broad end, which is kept 

 uppermost. 



That potting may be dispensed with in many cases, is 

 evident from several facts more or less well known. The 

 nurserymen prefer "pricking out " their delicate seedlings into 

 pans, or moveable borders, instead of pots ; and they always 

 thrive the better. In conservatories, the necessity of shifting 

 plants from place to place may be often avoided ; while, under 

 judicious management, those which are planted in the open 

 soil have greatly the advantage of others, both in healthiness 

 and easiness of management ; and it is found that Pine-apples 



