POTTING PLANTS. 



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nourishment. An occasional examination of the 

 condition of the roots may be made without injury 

 to them, if carefully done, by lifting the pot from 

 the inverted plant. The operation is very simple r 

 place the left hand on the earth with the stem 

 between the second and third fingers, and having 

 turned the plant downward, tap the edge of the 

 pot on some stationary object. A slight rap is 

 usually sufficient to release the ball of earth. Never 

 insert a knife between the earth and pot; it is 

 certain to injure the roots. 



Pots for newly rooted cuttings should not exceed 

 three inches in diameter, and when filled with roots, 

 they should be changed to those half an inch, or at 

 most only an inch, larger. Pots should only be 

 filled to within half an inch of the top, as that space 

 is necessary for watering. 



In potting, the soil should be settled among the 

 roots by tapping, and carefully pressed around them 

 so the plant will stand firmly. Wet soil should 

 never be used, as it packs and becomes hard. After 

 potting water thoroughly once to settle the earth. 

 The plant should then be kept rather dry until it is 

 well established and commences growth. 



It is not necessary to fill the bottom of porous 

 pots with broken crocks, or rubbish for drainage, ex- 

 cept hanging baskets, or pots that have no outlet 

 for water. 



The exhausted soil may be carefully washed from 



the roots and replaced with fresh earth and the 



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