37 



The practice here recommended I by no 

 means set down, as the sole result of my own 

 experience, but that, which several of the most 

 intelligent gardeners, as well as myself, have 

 studiously followed, and which, through a most 

 extended business, I have never seen an in- 

 stance of its being injurious. It is as follows. 



Let the plant be carefully turned out of its 

 pot, in doing which, observe if the roots have 

 perforated it in any part, so as to render it im- 

 possible to part them without breaking the one, 

 or lacerating the other; in which case, I should 

 prefer the former as the slightest damage ; 

 however, when the ball of roots is divested of 

 its pot, let the broken tiles, or whatever sub- 

 stance may have been used as draining, be 

 carefully picked out without tearing off the 

 roots that may have grown amongst them ; also 

 any caked or mossy substance on the surface, 

 which will come easily off with the fingers. 

 Then proceed to loosen the earth and matted 

 roots, by gently patting them on the side of the 

 ball, with the hand; or otherwise by pressing 

 it, so as to open the pores of the earth, without 

 cracking the roots ; shake off any loose earth, 

 and having a proper sized pot, ready prepared, 



