DECORATIVE VARIETIES. 
27 
attention to the smallest details, however insignificant, 
must be rigidly observed. Therefore, proceed to pot up 
the young plants without delay. 
Pots measuring three inches in diameter (which are also 
known as small sixties) are the best to select for this 
purpose. They should be washed scrupulously clean, 
and left to drain and become dry in a natural manner. 
The crocks, too, should also be cleaned, and be broken 
up into various sizes, to meet the needs of pots of this 
size. The soil for this purpose should be of slightly richer 
character than that in which the cuttings were inserted, 
and a good compost should comprise the following in- 
gredients : Of good fibrous loam take two parts, leaf- 
mould and well-rotted manure, half a part each, together 
with a free admixture of coarse silver sand, sufficient in 
quantity to make the compost porous. This should be 
passed through a half-inch sieve, and the ingredients well 
mixed together. If it is possible, add thereto a free 
sprinkling of wood ashes, or, failing this, an equal 
quantity of crushed charcoal. Take particular pains to 
thoroughly blend the ingredients, and turn over repeatedly 
for two or three days previous to using. Such a mixture 
will supply all that the roots need in the way of plant food 
for some time to come. ."\fter potting give a good 
watering. 
SPRING TREATMENT. 
In the course of time the young plants that are grown 
in pots for decorative purposes will need a further repot- 
ting to that described in the preceding paragraph, but 
before this work be done the grower should be fully satis- 
fied that each one is well rooted. There are several 
means of ascertaining whether the plants are well rooted, 
the more popular and certainly more satisfactory method 
being that of turning each one out of its pot. When it is 
seen that the ball of soil is thoroughly well rooted, a shift 
into a larger pot should be proceeded with without delay. 
Do not wait until the roots get matted and entangled at 
the bottom of the ball of soil, or considerable difficulty will 
