OBSERVATIONS ON SHIFTING PINES, &C. 191 



to recover them from the disorder, by shifting 

 them into some fresh mould or compost; but 

 this should not be resorted to, but as the last 

 expedient. 



When you intend to commence the general 

 shifting, always have your pots in sufficient 

 quantity, of the different sizes, ready to com- 

 plete the work ; also your compost as handy 

 as possible, that the shifting may be finished, 

 and the pots replunged with all convenient ex- 

 pedition. If the plants are healthy, when 

 turned out of the pots, they only require a little 

 of the old mould rubbed off the edges of the 

 fop of the ball, or occasionally a long or matted 

 cluster of outside fibres may be pruned off, and 

 then immediately replanted in the next size pot, 

 placing first a piece of tile (some prefer putting 

 several pieces) over the hole in the pot, then 

 some fresh compost in the bottom, and after 

 placing the plant in the centre, fill up the sides 

 with the same, gently shaking and pressing it 

 down all round, covering over the top of the 

 old ball, about an inch thick, the pots being 



