ON REARING FLOWERS. 



169 



they should not be much exposed to light during the 

 time the flowers are expanded, as all flowers will con- 

 tinue much longer w^hen partially shaded. During the 

 flowering season, however, it must not be understood 

 that these plants are to receive no light, but merely 

 that they should be excluded from the bright rays of 

 the sun, as they cannot be too much exposed to light, 

 even at this period of their growth, when the sun is not 

 shining. 



Equal in importance to exposing them fully to light, 

 is the manner in which they are potted, and this is a 

 subject which is too generally overlooked by cottagers 

 and otliers, to the great injury of their plants. Judicious 

 potting is an art in which few practical gardeners excel, or 

 which they even conduct in a proper manner ; and it is not 

 therefore surprising that uninitiated persons should be 

 incapable of; performing it skilfully. Proper drainage is 

 one of the ; prominent features in this operation, and 

 instead of (as is usually done) only placing a single piece 

 of tile, broken pot, or oyster-shell over the hole in the 

 bottom of the pot, there should be at least an inch in 

 depth of draining materials in the bottom of a moderate 

 sized pot. A rounded (not flattened) oyster-shell, or a 

 piece of tile of a similar construction, should be placed 

 over the hole in the bottom of the pot, — taking care 

 previously to wipe the inside of the pot perfectly clean, 

 if it has been before used, — and over this oyster- 

 shell a quantity of pieces of brick, cinders, tiles, or 

 broken pots, about half an inch square, should be placed 

 to the depth of half an inch, or an inch, breaking those 

 at the top smaller than the bottom pieces. Previous to 

 potting the plants, the soil should be prepared, and well 

 incorporated, by frequently turning it over with a spade. 

 It must be varied to suit the constitution of particular 

 plants, but as this will be hereafter noticed, we shall not 

 now allude to the quality of the soil, but merely state, 

 that having previously prepared it, and also the pots 

 for the reception of the plants, a little soil should be 

 placed over the drainage materials in the bottom of the 

 pots, to prevent the roots from resting on them, and 

 the plant intended to be potted, may then be taken out 



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