12 



POTTING PLANTS. 



vent too rapid an evaporation of moisture. But 

 when they are to be surrounded on every side by 

 the too often hot, dry, absorbing atmosphere of 

 living-rooms, glazed pots are preferable. The glaz- 

 ing prevents evaporation, and the working roots 

 which form against the inner sides of the pots are 

 less liable to be injured by drying. On the other 

 hand, careful attention must be paid to the drainage 

 of glazed pots ; if this becomes obstructed, the plant 

 is in danger from too much moisture. Those who 

 have not much time to devote to plants, will find a 

 zinc-lined box ten or fifteen inches wide, and four 

 inches deep, in which to set porous pots and surround 

 them with sand, convenient. Similar boxes two 

 inches deep and four inches wide may be placed 

 across half way up the window, for small pots of 

 young plants. 



It is important to select pots of a proper size. 

 A very common mistake is made by giving flow- 

 ering plants too large pots and producing a 

 growth of foliage instead of flowers. Nearly all 

 plants bloom more abundantly if their roots are 

 somewhat restrained. Those cultivated for foliage 

 should be supplied with plenty of earth, as an 

 abundance of leaves is the main object. 



When it is desired that plants should continue in 

 a growing condition they should be repotted with a 

 little fresh earth as often as the roots become mat- 

 ted against the sides of the pot, and before they 

 lose their white suculent appearance from want of 



