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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



may be shifted into larger-sized pots, without undergoing the ordeal of having much of 

 the soil shaken clear of, or picked away from, their roots. Among these, probably, 

 will be found a few in an unhealthy state, possibly through sour soil. These should 

 have the roots washed nearly, or quite, free of soil, afterwards cutting away the dead 

 portions and returning to pots just large enough to hold them, using fresh, sweet soil. 

 Later on a shift ought to be given to most of those plants that were pruned, shaken 



out, and repotted earlier in the season, otherwise the 

 majority may fail to continue growing healthily. 



When the roots become closely matted together, as 

 in the case of the broad-leaved croton shown in Fig. 122, 

 before a shift is given, fresh root-fibres are very slow in 

 taking possession of the new soil. Failing to give a 

 sufficiently large shift, and also to allow enough room 

 for watering purposes, are mistakes to be avoided. 

 Should the new soil not be properly packed round the 

 sides of the old ball, the water will draw away from the 

 latter, and the plant cannot flourish. 



The shift ought, where possible, to be given when 

 the roots are in the condition shown by the croton in 

 Fig. 123. In this instance the roots are plentiful, but 

 as they are not badly matted together, they can be 

 further loosened, and unoccupied top soil picked away 

 with a pointed stick, while the drainage crocks can 

 be removed and the roots among and about them un- 

 coiled. The drainage should be proportionate with the 

 size of the pot and the nature of the plant to occupy 

 it. A small mound of soil may be formed on the moss- 

 covered drainage, this just fitting the hollow in the ball caused by the removal of 

 the crocks, and if properly set on this the loosened roots should spread over it, as 

 shown in the illustration. The soil ought to be placed round the side in instalments, 

 making it firm, according to the nature of the roots to occupy it, those most fibrous- 

 rooted requiring the most solid root run, finishing the surface neatly, and allowing the 

 depth of the rim or more for watering purposes. When the plants are moist at the 

 roots, as, they always ought to be before they are turned out of their pots, and are 



Fig. 122. Repotting (improper). 

 References : i, pot too full (insufficient 

 space for watering) ; j, roots too mat- 

 ted ; 7c, insufficient space for fresh 

 soil ; drainage inadequate. 



