On the Transplantation of Plants, #c. 371 



then placed to stand in the centre of each of the larger. 

 The space between the circumference of the larger and 

 smaller pots, was then filled with sandy loam of a moderate 

 degree of richness, and in this, in circular lines, the seeds 

 were deposited. The pots were placed in the cooler part of 

 a stove (the unoccupied part of a hot-bed, or other situation 

 of moderate warmth would have answered equally well) till 

 all the seeds had vegetated ; and the plants were subsequently 

 protected from frost, and very unfavourable weather, by a 

 glass light, till they were planted out in the beginning of 

 April. When the plants were about to be removed, the 

 smaller pots, which had executed the double office of giving 

 the roots a direction more perpendicularly downwards, and 

 of enabling me to convey water to the rich compost in the 

 bottom of the pots, without moistening the loam on their 

 sides, were withdrawn; and the roots were found to have 

 reached and extended themselves greatly in the lower layer 

 of very rich compost. The plants were then placed in 

 shallow pans of water, and conveyed to the beds in which 

 they were to be planted. Deep holes were made with a 

 dibble to receive the roots, which were occasioned by the 

 fluid, which adhered to them as they were individually taken 

 from the pans of water, to hang perpendicularly downwards 

 in the form of wet pack-thread strings ; and they were thus 

 made, without trouble, to descend perpendicularly and deeply 

 into the soil. A mild and damp day was chosen, and a pro- 

 per quantity of water given, and subsequently no further care 

 or trouble was requisite. A few pots will be found to afford 

 plants enough for a very large bed ; and a common labourer, 

 who is not accustomed to such business, will be able to 



