11 



hole, it being perhaps not more than three-fourths of an inch 

 in diameter; the soil is then pressed down and the hole is 

 thus filled; a gentle tap on the side of the pot with the- 

 knuckles, and the operation is complete. We claim that our 

 mode is superior for these reasons: The natural tendency of 

 the root is downward and spreading. The cutting sends out 

 its roots all around in search of nourishing food; when it is 

 taken from its bed common sense will tell us its roots should 

 be allowed to remain as nearlj' as possible in every respect in 

 the same position, viz : Pointing downward and spreading; this 

 can be accomplished by the mode we practice, but not by the 

 other, because in the first place, the hole made by the finger is 

 too small in most instances to admit the roots without bend- 

 ing the points of them, consequently they must he pushed into 

 the hole; hence they will point upward, which is unnatural. 



2d. By the mode of procedure by which the hole is closed up; 

 the roots, instead of being allowed their natural spreading 

 habit, are crushed together; and although in the hands of the 

 skillful operator the plants will grow and in course of time 

 flourish, it will take some time to overcome this unnatural 

 and consequently wroug mode of treatment. The practical 

 florist may say our mode consumes more time. Our reply is, 

 try it and see for yourself ; if it does, (which we deny) the greater 

 success attending our mode would more than compensate for 

 it. The object in pressing the soil rather solidly in the pot 

 (now we don't mean to maKe it hard) is that the young roots 

 may "catch hold" of the soil and obtain nourishment from it 

 at once, instead of being compelled to go in search of the soil 

 before the plant can receive any food whatever. We now sup- 

 pose the plant to be In a two inch pot; it must have a thorough 

 watering; that is, the space from the surface of the soil to the 

 rim of the pot should be filled with water ; this may be done 

 either at the potting table or after it has been placed where it 

 is to grow, for the time at least. 



We now come to the process of " shifting." that is, changing 

 the plants into pots of a larger or smaller size. When a plant 

 has been growin^j^in a pot that is large for it, florists say it Is 

 *' over-potted ;" if the pot is too small, it is "pot-bound/^ 

 When you wish to discover if the plant needs a larger pot, turn 

 the plant top side down, just as a lady would a cake or piece of 

 pastry to get it out of a mould, and placing the stem of the 

 plant between the first and second fingers of the open hand,. 



