154 CH0R1ZEMA OVATA. 
general recommended is an equal mixture of very sandy peat and loam ; this 
composition for plants, like those we are now speaking of, does not fully accord with 
our experience ; the soil used here will, therefore, be found to differ. We select a 
quantity of peat, carefully avoiding such as does not contain a good deal of fibre, 
or that has not a considerable portion of white sand equally mixed with it, rejecting 
as entirely worthless all such as inclines to be stiff, or very sandy ; to this is added 
no more than one fourth of mellow sandy loam ; the whole is then carefully blended 
and examined, and if the grains of sand are found not to touch, or nearly so, 
throughout the whole, so as to give it a greyish cast, what more sand is thought 
sufficient is thrown in and properly mixed up. The soil is never sifted., this practice 
is discarded as taking out the most essential part, namely, the fibre ; but after being 
well broken up with the back and edge of the spade, what lumps remain too large 
are reduced with the hands. Any soil naturally retentive,, or that inclines to become 
close, is always objectionable for these, and in short all hair-rooted plants. Plants, 
on their first removal after striking, are put into 60 sized pots in the above soil, 
being very particular in putting no less than two inches good drainage (potsherds) 
at the bottom of each ; they are afterwards removed again to the propagating house, 
being first gently watered with a fine rose ; here the atmosphere is congenial to them 
in this state, and will consequently cause the roots to push, and prepare them for a 
removal into an atmosphere more suited to their constitution, which should take 
place in about a week, as the young roots will have taken hold of the new soil. 
The next situation sought for them is a pit or frame (any aspect), where they can 
be placed near the glass, and be shaded from the hot sun : during fine weather air 
should be admitted freely, and the plants carefully, though sufficiently, watered every 
evening. They are finally placed in the greenhouse, as near the glass as possible ; 
but, if avoidable, never place them opposite the ventilator when the air is admitted, 
this will prove injurious to them, as the house will require to be freely ventilated ; 
if the air is admitted from the roof they cannot sustain any injury. The house 
should be shut up in the evening. As these plants suffer from over potting, it is 
necessary here to caution against so dangerous a practice. 
One thing that greatly accelerates the growth, and tends to ensure success, in 
cultivating these plants, is to avoid setting the pots where their sides are likely to be 
dried much by the sun ; this practice materially injures the young roots, which 
always like to be between the side of the pot and the soil, and consequently sickens 
and weakens the plant. In the nurseries about London they have an excellent 
practice of substituting for the wooden shelves of the stages slabs of blue slate, 
which seem to be readily procured of any length between four and seven feet ; this 
is not only very durable, but has an extremely neat appearance, and is as well a 
