438 DRAINING POTS. 



In order to counteract the risk of excessive drainage, 

 without in reality diminishing it, great advantage is derived 

 from the introduction into the earth of fragments of some 

 absorbent stone. Mr. Macnab uses "coarse soft free-stone 

 broken into pieces from one inch to four or five inches in 

 diameter;" because in summer these stones retain moisture 

 longer than the earth, and in winter allow a free circulation of 

 any superabundant moisture. 



The mode of effecting drainage practically is thus described by Mr. 

 W. Moody, an experienced correspondent of the Gardeners' Chronicle : — 



"The materials for this purpose should be perfectly dry and free from 

 dust, whether they be crooks, charcoal, or sandstone ; they should be 

 broken into different sizes, each size being placed separately ; thus, if 

 I were using 3-inoh pots, I first clean the pot well inside if required, 

 then place a piece of crock at the bottom, nearly as large as will cover 

 it, but convex, so as to allow the water free egress ; on this I place a 

 layer of broken crocks, or other material, about the size of Beans, and 

 on this again a slight layer about the size of Peas. When I use pots of 

 a larger size, I use larger pieces, always keeping the coarsest at the 

 bottom and the smallest at the top. "With very few exceptions, the 

 plants will be benefited by placing a thin layer of turfy loam or peat 

 over the drainage, as this keeps the smaller particles of earth from 

 being carried downwards. Although there is no fear of drainage being 

 impaired, if properly constructed, yet, to make doubly sure, let each 

 pot be crocked as regularly as possible, one having no more drainage 

 than another, so that in the next shift each may get the same propor- 

 tion of soil as well as drainage. Pieces of sandstone mixed with the 

 soil are very useful in drainage for hard-wooded plants, as are also 

 pieces of charcoal and bone-dust for soft-wooded ones ; in either case 

 the roots wUl be found closely adhering to these lumps. There are 

 many gardeners who say, ' I have no time to attend to such a routine 

 of breaking and layering ; ' but crocks do not spoil by being broken and 

 sorted in the coldest day in winter, nor yet if done in wet weather, 

 when nothing can be done out of doors. The different sizes may be 

 placed in large pots, and put somewhere out of the way, where they 

 wiU. be dry until the crocks are wanted for use, which is generally in 

 spring and summer seasons, when work is pressing ; thus time is saved 

 by having crocks previously prepared, and plants are benefited by 

 judiciously arranged drainage, which is sure to be effectual." This 

 advice is selected from among many others, because it seems to describe 

 the best kind of practice in the fewest words. Another, and very good 

 method, is the following : — 



"The ordinary way of putting at the bottom of the pot a large 



