THE NEW SYSTEM OF POTTING. 
113 
in proportion to the amount of material used in the process of potting, regulated 
at the same time by conditions of growth, situation, &c. 
*' An error in first principles caii he rectified hy no after-application of scientific 
rules!' There is ample evidence to prove, that it is the elementary conditions of 
an organized being, which favour the ultimate development of its parts/' 
It has been a subject of surprise to some, that the system whose merits have 
been advocated has not been practised at an earlier period than the present. Per- 
haps the talismanic influence of custom, and the " ten thousand" daily determi- 
nations to reduce the " majestic proportions of Nature" to the pigmy restrictions 
of art, are not the only obstacles which science has had to remove in its march 
of triumph. The deductions of reason, and the investigations of truth, have long 
ago proved that every operation in art is limited in its effect, in proportion as it 
recedes from the laws which Nature has prescribed for the same end ; and in appeal- 
ing to the result of superior cultivation, or the records of professional practice, no 
fear need be entertained if it should be found that every instance of pre-eminent 
success should prove that the means used were invariably an approximation towards 
an accumulative system of cultivation. 
An inquiry has been suggested, as to the probable period for which specimen 
plants of mature growth may be cultivated with proportionate success. The 
ultimate object, or highest purpose of cultivation, has been previously laid down 
as being the greatest constitutional vigour, combined with a uniform development 
of bloom ; it is consequently evident that the more nearly such a result is attained, 
the more exhausted will be the vital energies of the plant — a development of 
bloom being the matured or ultimate function of vegetable life. 
The renovation of such plants will depend upon the skilful appliance of those 
remedial operations which Nature points out. 
The first means employed is the early and entire removal of decayed blossoms ; 
and secondly, a removal (by pruning) of those portions of the plant which are 
partially exhausted by the production of bloom, at least so far as the proportions of 
the plant will admit. By thus limiting its circulation, its energies will again be 
excited by the accumulation of its sap, which, aided by a partial cessation of 
watering, and a closer and higher temperature by a few degrees, will serve to 
unfold its power in the development of buds. 
Two instances occur in the Pine-apple-Place establishment, which serve to 
show that even renewed shifts to other pots is not necessary in all cases of plants 
in large pots. The first is illustrated by the plant of Zichya coccinea, (formerly 
Kennedya,) which forms an engraving in this Magazine for May. The specimen 
was grown in a large 16 pot, and bloomed profusely in the summer of 1842. Its 
consequent exhaustion appeared to preclude the possibility of the plant being again 
excited to a growth equal to a renewed bloom. After removing the exhausted 
blossoms, the plant remained unpotted, and again so far rallied its vigour as after- 
VOL. X. NO. CXIII. Q 
