42 
for the drainage of pots, intended for plants of an annual or 
temporary character. It is, however, necessary to subject it to 
a half-inch riddle, that left in the riddle being proper for such 
purposes. It would be a great improvement in this article to 
slightly char it, thus rendering it less absorbent of moisture, 
and more durable. Pounded Crocks and Stone. — Such 
plants as Ericas, Pimelias, Epacrises, Boronias, with a host of 
the New Holland plants, will not attain the size and age some- 
times desirable, on account of loss of texture in the soil ; the 
only way to obviate this difficulty is to introduce, in a liberal 
way, imperishable materials, of an angular or irregular charac- 
ter. Long after the organic matter in the soil has become 
soluble, these act as steady transmitters of moisture, and 
atmospheric action. I need scarcely add, that these porous 
materials should, in crushing, be separated into sizes, and the 
dust separated, which is very good to mix with the compost of 
any plant. The larger the “shift” any plant receives, the larger 
should these inorganic matters be; whether as drainage at the 
bottom of the pots, or blended with the compost. 
‘268 Window Flower Culture. Drainage of Pots. Having 
given practical remarks on the use of soils and composts, we 
proceed to the next division, viz. — the drainage of pots, &c. 
A few years ago it was deemed sufficient drainage that a single 
potsherd or oyster shell were placed at the bottom of the pot, 
beneath the soil; the soil too was subjected to the severe ordeal 
of the riddle, by which much of the organic matter, containing 
the necessary elements of food for the plants, and which also 
produces a peculiar mechanical condition of the soil, which can 
scarcely be supplied by other means, was rejected. These 
matters, however, have, in later days, been closely investigated; 
and the result is, that plants which some twenty years since were 
considered most difficult to cultivate, are now produced in the 
very highest degree of perfection, as is sufficiently attested by 
the splendid specimens produced at numerous horticultural 
exhibitions. The safest material for drainage, with which I am 
acquainted, is broken or pounded potsherds, from flower pots. 
Charcoal is also excellent — I had almost said indispensable ; 
and should always be at hand. These two materials, for general 
use, may be mixed together in equal parts; and three distinct 
sizes should be kept ready for use. The largest should be of 
