THE FORCING GARDEN. 



717 



whole space between the ball and the sides of the pot; but, even 

 in this case, no other means of forcing down the mould should 

 be used except the fingers, and well shaking the pot. We do 

 not advise the use of a stick, as is often practised, as it is 

 very liable to injure the roots, and if used very freely, renders 

 the mould too compact. The sizes of the pots, as has been 

 already noticed, must depend upon the magnitude and growth 

 of the plants ; each plant should be placed in a pot of such 

 size as is suited to its strength. Fast-growing, luxuriant 

 plants require larger pots, while weak or sickly ones will re- 

 quire pots only of the same size, or nearly so, to that from 

 which they were taken : and those which are ill-rooted and 

 sickly, will even require smaller pots than those from which 

 they were taken. It is much better to shift often than to over- 

 pot at once. 



In filling the pots with mould, leave it at least an inch 

 below the level of the margin of the pots, to allow room 

 for holding water, and when the plants are all potted, give 

 them a gentle watering, merely to settle the mould about their 

 roots ; but do not at this time give too much water, otherwise 

 they would be not only chilled too much while out of their 

 usual bottom-heat, but be also liable to be shaken out of the 

 pots. A more copious watering will be necessary when they 

 are replaced in the beds. 



Any decayed or bruised leaves should be carefully cut away, 

 and all dead pieces at the extremity of the leaves cut off ; in 

 performing which, use a very sharp knife, hold the leaf to be 

 so pruned by the point, and draw the knife upwards, begin- 

 ning below where the leaf is decayed, and cutting upwards in 

 a slanting direction of some length. 



Replunge the plants in the same manner as formerly di- 

 rected, placing them in regular order as to their heights, always 

 keeping the smallest and those which are unpotted in front. 

 Such as have been rooting in the bed out of pots, should now 

 be put into pots, differing in size according to their strength, 

 and take their place among the other potted plants. As the 

 plunging goes on, care must be taken not to allow the tiin or 

 leaves to cover the mould in the pots too much ; for, if such 

 be the case, it will be difficult to ascertain when they may be 



