152 



THE GREEN-HOUSE. 



If the plant is to be shifted into the same or a 

 larger pot, this is always done with the ball nearly- 

 entire, and the web of fibres preserved untouched. 

 Pick out from the under side of the ball the sherds or 

 other matters used in covering the pot, and remove 

 from its upper surface as much of the earth as is^ 

 hard, sodden, mossy, or without roots. Then loosen 

 the earth and matted roots, by gently patting the side 

 of the ball with the hand, or by moderately pressing 

 it between both hands. Shake off all the earth thus 

 loosened, and having the pot in which it formerly 

 was, cleaned, or another pot of the same size, or a, 

 larger pot^ ready prepared, put in a quantity of fresh 

 mould sufficient to raise the crown of the roots to 

 about half an inch below the rim of the pot. On this 

 mould set the plant, and add more earth round it, 

 lightly beating the pot on the bench to settle it among 

 the fibres, and using a small flat stick or spatula to 

 press it down between the ball and the rim of the 

 pot, taking care that no injury is done to the web of 

 fibres. Add mould till the surface of the whole is 

 level with the rim of the pot ; and having given the 

 last gentle beat on the bench, and seen that the stem 

 of the plant stands upright, and at right angles to the 

 surface of the pot, set it on a level surface beside the 

 others which are shifted, there to be watered and 

 stand till the earth settles. 



Instead of the above mode, the former practice, 

 and one still persisted in by some old gardeners, is, 

 to pare off the greater part of the web of fibres with 



