42 



A SIMPLE ■ FLOWER GARDEN. 



POTTING 



is next in order. The young seedlings in the raisin 

 boxes will require attention first. The early part of Sep- 

 tember will see them up and waiting for more room. Up- 

 on the work-bench make up a heap of soil, as for soft- 

 wooded plants, taking of each kind the proportions the 

 barrels contain, — that is. three parts of loam, three parts 

 manure, one part sand. After this, in mixing soils for any 

 plant, the kind to which it belongs, and the proportions of 

 materials contained in the barrels, will settle the whole per- 

 plexing matter of potting at a glance. The mixing can be 

 left to the native ingenuity of the mixer. The only thing 

 essential is not to be afraid of dirty hands, and to have the 

 mixing well done. Having a heap of soil ready and the 

 box of plants at hand, next see that enough clean, three- 

 inch pots are in reach. If the pots are dirty, leave every- 

 thing till they have been well washed. When all is ready, 

 put a bit of crock in the bottom of the pot to prevent the 

 soil from escaping, and then fill heaping full of soil. Pry 

 up from the box a number of the young plants, then, hav- 

 ing made a hole with the finger in the pot of soil, drop the 

 roots of a little plant into it. Give the soil a gentle 

 squeeze with the fingers, take the pot in the hand, and give 

 it a light rap on the bench, and the work is done. A child 

 of twelve could readily do it, and a smart lad ought to pot 

 many hundred a day. When all the plants are potted set 

 them in a shady place, on the floor, or on the north side of 



