ON GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 703 



When potting it is important that the compost should be in 

 good condition — neither dry nor wet. It is a good test to take 

 a handful, giving it a good squeeze ; then if it remains in a lump, 

 which will yet readily break up when thrown down, it may be 

 said to be fit for use. Sufficient room must be left between 

 the surface of the soil and the rim of the pot to enable it to 

 hold a good quantity of water. 



When plants have been potted on they should always be kept 

 a little closer and warmer than they have previously been till 

 they have recovered the check. Give the plants one good 

 soaking and then allow them to go without water for a time, 

 but not to become dry. If it is summer, and the foliage is 

 inclined to flag, syringe, gently overhead three or four times a 

 ■day. 



Careful attention must be paid to the watering of freshly- 

 potted plants, ' as numbers are often killed from over-watering. 

 It must be borne in mind that the soil round a freshly-potted 

 plant has no roots in it, and therefore nothing to absorb the 

 moisture ; and if this be kept wet it will become sour, so that 

 when the plant begins to send fresh roots into it, instead of 

 growing they will be poisoned and rot off. It will thus be seen 

 that it is best to keep the plant rather on the dry side till its 

 roots ' have got a good hold, and are capable of assimilating the 

 moisture. , 



All plants must be watered before potting, for if the ball is 

 dry at that time it can never be got moist again by watering 

 after potting. 



The gravel on which the plants stand and the floors of the 

 houses should receive a slight sprinkling of water throughout 

 the year, except when damp, close weather prevails, at least once a 

 day in the cool pit and greenhouse, and oftener in the warm 

 pit. In very hot weather during summer this should be repeated 

 three or four times, at the same time syringing the plants over- 

 head, giving those that are in blossom just a slight spray, and 

 letting those that are not have the full benefit of the syringe. 



Many people are afraid to syringe plants in blossom, saying 

 that the flowers are thus ' caused to damp, or are discoloured. 

 This is a great mistake, for if it is done whilst the air is dry, 

 with full ventilation on the house and the blinds down, it is of 

 the greatest benefit, enabling the flowers to last much longer. It 

 must, however, be done carefully, in order to avoid bruising, 

 and only perfectly clean water should be used. Watering should 

 be done with a rose-can to avoid washing the soil out of the 

 pots. The summer watering is best done in the afternoon after 

 four o'clock, and in winter in the morning. 



Cleanliness is most important for the health of the plants. 

 Always keep everything in, and every part of, the house clean, 

 washing frequently leaves and pots, and continually removing dead 



