ONE-SHIFT SYSTEM. 443 



that time, I have practised this mode on various plants with 

 success ; hut to Mr. Groode, gardener at EaKng Park, helongs 

 the credit of applying this system more extensively and with 

 greater success. Amongst the plants at that place, he has a 

 great number in 24, 16, 13, and 8 sized pots, forming magni- 

 ficent specimens, which are on an average from three to five 

 feet in circumference, and which a year since were either in 

 small 60 or thumb-pots. They have, in reality, made from 

 three to four years' growth in one season, and are flowering in 

 the greatest profusion. Among other genera, may be mentioned 

 Boronias, Eriostemons, Leschenaultias, Pimeleas, Gnidias, 

 Helichrysums, Ericas, Epacrises, Chorozemas, Polygalas, 

 Eoellas, MirbeUas, DOlwynias, Croweas, and Gompholobiums. 

 The principal thing to attend to is to have the pots thoroughly 

 drained ; for if water stagnates in such a mass of soil, all hope 

 of success wiU be at an end. In growing specimen plants, it 

 is a good plan to drain the soil with an inverted pot, taking great 

 care to prevent the soil from falling among the drainage, by 

 covering it securely with Moss. Porous stones of various-sizes, 

 in considerable quantities, sticks in a half-decomposed state, and 

 even charcoal for some plants, have been used, with satisfactory 

 results. The roots of Leschenaultia formosa and of Chorozemas, 

 thus treated, wrap round the porous stones and charcoal in the 

 most beautiful manner. The principal things to attend to in 

 this system of potting are, to use the soil as rough as possible. 

 Plants potted in this way wUl not require so much attention as 

 those potted in the usual manner ; because one watering wiU 

 serve them for several days — whereas in small pots, they require 

 constant attention. 



Innumerable criticisms of this method of cultivation were 

 published when it was first brought into notice ; but they are all 

 forgotten, and no other valid reason can now be given for object- 

 ing to it than that it is too favourable- for growth, and renders 

 plants inconveniently large for most people's space and means. 

 There can be no doubt that, under good management, if the 

 gardener's object is to make a plant as vigorous as possible, it is 

 better to avoid the troublesome details of shifting from one sized 

 pot into another. No better evidence of this is needed than what 



