TUE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
IIO 
for all rough purposes, aud have trusted to Epps’s “ selected ” peat, 
which is packed iu barrels aud sold at a reasonable price by Mr. 
Ep])s, of Lewisham, for all the more delicate habited of the peat 
plants. As for the loam, that which we are best accustomed with 
is a modified clay, except when full of fibre ; we use none but silver 
sand from lleigate for small work, but find tlie siftings of the sweep- 
ings of the gravel walks the best of sand iu the world for general 
use. Leaf-mould must be prepared at home, and the way to ensure 
plenty is to lay up grass mowings, leaves, and the worn-out stuff 
from flower-pots in which plants have been grown, in a compact 
heap above the level (not in a j)it or any wet place), and allow it at 
least twelve mouths to rot through ; it is better if allowed to remain 
two years. 
Potting is a test of dexterity, even amongst experienced 
gardeners, for many wdio could pot off “bedding-stuff” by the 
thousand in “ no time ” would have to put on a “ puzzling cap ” if 
required to repot a gigantic agave or camellia ; but on good potting 
success will turn more certainly than on any other separate process 
in all the round of greenhouse practice. We will first speak of 
the pots, which must always be clean and better if new. The sizes 
required for ordinary purposes are 60’s, which are three and a half 
inches in diameter at top ; 48’s, which are five inches iu diameter ; 32’s 
which are six inches in diameter ; and 24’s, which are eight inches 
in diameter. To clean old pots is a simple matter enough ; but it 
may be well to remember that, if a lot of old pots are left lying 
loose about out of doors all the winter, they will be quite clean and 
as good as new in spring, for the frost will scrub them, not only on 
the surface, but in the very pores of the clay. 
In preparing the pots, first of all place in the bottom, hollow 
side downward, a concave piece of crock large enough to cover the 
hole. Over this place a layer of crocks, the thickness of which 
must be regulated by the size of pot and the character of the plant. 
We will take a six-inch pot or “ thirty-tw'o.’’ If a soft-wooded 
plant, such as a geranium or fuchsia, is to be potted, it will suffice to 
place five or six rather large crocks over the one that covers the hole. 
On the other hand, in preparing the pot for a hard-wooded plant — 
such, for example, as the heath, the crocks should be broken up 
small aud placed in the pot somewhat regularly to a depth of about 
an inch. For large pots it will not be necessary to break the crocks 
so fine, but in no case must they be used too large. Over the crocks 
put a layer of the rougher portions of the compost, flaky leaf-mould 
or dried moss, to prevent the finer portions of the compost running 
down between the crocks and choking up the drainage. If precau- 
tion is not taken to prevent this mishap the superfluous water will 
be unable to escape, and the soil will soon become sour through 
remaining in a saturated condition. 
To form a nice bed for the ball of the plant to be potted, put in 
the bottom a sufficient quantity of the compost to raise the plant to 
the desired height. No rules on this point can be given, but in no 
case should the crown of the plant be buried very deep, and in the 
case of large specimens of hard-wooded plants sufficient soil should 
April. 
