45 
the potting shed. For general purposes, lumps of this may be 
recommended to be introduced, systematically, through the 
mass of soil in the pot, with the exception of an inch or two of 
the surface. Turfy soils, or rather turfs, of this age, and thus 
managed, may be readily pulled into irregular lumps, and by 
tossing them round in a riddle, about one-part of the mere soil 
may be displaced and rejected; what remains in the riddle, 
thus rendered exceedingly porous, will furnish abundance of 
food for plants, and will at all times transmit and equalize 
moisture, with the utmost facility. As a general rule, I would 
advise it to be used in lumps of from half an inch to two inches 
in bulk. Let, however, about half an inch or so of the finer 
compost be used over them, to “surface” the pots; this acts as 
a regulator, in preventing the too sudden transmission of the 
water when applied. I may here remark, that the fifth maxim, 
is merged into the fourth ; there seems however no reason to 
regret it. 
274 6th. — Sharp Sand, It is convenient and advantageous to 
keep at all times a pan of sharp sand, on the potting bench; 
and although this material is used amongst the compost, I make 
a point of introducing it rather liberally, when the pot is about 
half full ; more especially, near to the stem of the plant. This 
will be found to facilitate the passage of moisture, better than the 
same amount diffused through the whole mass. Although not 
producing food for plants, it is well known to promote a rapid 
action of the root, and in the case of delicate plants, just potted 
off, this is of importance. In shifting tender plants, it is some- 
times indispensable to introduce lumps of stone, charcoal, &c., 
as the potting proceeds, this is a safe process with the Erica, 
Epacris, and others that have hair-like roots. 
275 Watering Pot Plants. Much care is necessary in water- 
ing plants; the best growers consider it a most important 
process. The watering of newly-potted stock should always be 
accomplished by using a very fine-rosed pot for the first fort- 
night ; several light sprinklingsshould in the first place be given, 
in succession, until the whole body of soil is moistened throngh ; 
subsequently, the open spout may be used. If a newly potted 
plant be flooded with water, until the fluid begins to stand on 
the surface of the pot, the consequence is, that much of the soluble 
and finer particles of the compost, more especially the vegetable 
263. AUCTARIUM. 
