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plants in larj^e poti, good and sufficient drainage should be 

 provided, and especially so for such as are grown in tin cans, 

 boxes, buckets, tubs, glazed earthenware, old kettles, etc., be^ 

 cause when the soil is thoroughly saturated all tlie air is ex- 

 pelled, and as the water evaporates the air again enters the 

 soil; hence if air is necessary for the roots of plants, and if 

 when the soil is saturated with water there is no air in it 

 jihould we not supply a channel or series of channels in the 

 shape of drainage, by which the fluid may pass off rapidly and 

 permit the liealth-giving air to enter without unnecessary 

 delay. It is almost as absurd to claim that the surplus water 

 will pass oft' through the pores of the larger pots in a sufficient- 

 ly short space of time to do no Injury to the plants, as It would 

 be to claim that the fluids we take Into our body will all pass 

 off through the pores of our skin and we not suffer any in 

 consequence of our involuntary retention of these fluids. We 

 think we have said enough on this subject to convince the 

 reader that It will be better to use drainage. W© may touch 

 on it again in the chapter on Temperature and Moisture. 



Potting. In a previous chapter we have enumerated the 

 ingredients that will form soils for potting. If the plants are 

 small the soli should be pulverized, either chopped or crushed 

 so there will be no lumps to break or bruise the tender young 

 toots. For most rooted cuttings a pot two Inches high and the 

 same In diameter will be sufficiently large. Geraniums, 

 Feverfew, and a few other plants, If very well rooted, will re- 

 quire a two and one-half or three Inch pot, but for the great 

 majority a two Inch pot win suit. Our mode of potting is as 

 follows: The pots and soil ready, the cuttings (when roeted) 

 are taken from the cutting bed and carried to a bench or table 

 In the potting room ; we then take the pot, fill it about one- 

 fourth to one-third full of soil, then place the stem of the 

 plant In the center of the pot, allowing the roots to touch the 

 soil In the pot; we fill in all around until the pot might be 

 said to be filled to overflowing ; then with the thumbs com- 

 press the soil, leaving a space of about one-third of an Inch 

 from the top of the pot to the surface, to hold water. When 

 large pots are used for repotting, leave more space, say for a 

 four Inch pot leave one-half inch space, and for a ten or twelve 

 Inch pot, one and one-half Inches. Some operators begin to 

 pot cuttings by filling the pot with soli, then punch a hole in 

 the loose soli with the finger, and push the roota Into this 



