43 
the size of walnuts, the smallest about the size of pease, and the 
other intermediate. These materials are intended to insure free 
drainage, in the absence of which the soil in the pot would 
become surcharged with the stagnant fluids, and unfit for the 
support of tender plants. For plants of robust habit, or those 
termed “gross feeders,” there is no occasion to be quite so 
particular; but when the subject is a plant of delicate root- 
action, such as an Erica, or an Epacris, it is impossible to use 
too much precaution to secure the escape of water. Two or 
three potsherds (broken pot or crock) of considerable size, 
placed at the bottom of the pot, overlapping each other, so as 
to permit the escape of water ; these protected by a size of the 
pounded material of proportionate size, and these again by a 
smaller, will be found a perfect and durable drainage. 
It is the practice of most cultivators to put a layer of moss or 
other fibrous material over this stratum of drainers. The 
principle is good, and moss is suitable for plants requiring much 
moisture, and which remain but a short period in their pots; 
but for delicate and slow-rooting plants, which have to remain 
for a considerable time undisturbed, moss is not to be recom- 
mended. Fibrous turf, of some age, is by far the safest material ; 
and for such plants, as the Geranium, which prefer a loamy 
soil, fibrous loamy turf will be found suitable. For those inclined 
to peat, or bog, nothing can exceed fibrous turf in a mellow 
state, from upland heath or moor. The turfy materials here 
alluded to should be piled up, out of doors, for six months, in 
such a heap as will exclude rain ; after which it may be removed 
to the potting shed. 
269 Potting Plants. This is a division of the subject very 
important to window culture; so much so, indeed, that without 
care and method both good drainage and excellent composts 
may be rendered quite nugatory. I will submit the following 
six maxims as the chief essentials in good potting, viz. — 
1st. Never use composts in a wet state. 
2nd. Never use them quite dry. 
3rd. l.et the |)ressure used in potting be in proportion to the 
dryness of the compost. 
4th. Introduce lumpy turf nearly all through the mass. 
5th. Let the size of the lumps be in proportion to the mass 
of fresh compost in each pot. 
262. ADCTARIUM. 
