346 
FEENS : BRITISH AND FOREIGN. 
the hole of the pot, the concave side downwards : 
there should he two, three, or four holes at the side, 
quite at the base, made in all pots larger than eight 
inches in diameter, the number of holes of course 
according to the size of the pot. This is the more 
essential when the pots are placed on smooth benches, 
as of stone or slate, the capillary attraction between 
the pot and bench retaining the superfluous water, 
and causing much stagnancy. After properly arrang- 
ing the drainage, a small quantity of fibry material 
should be placed on it to keep the new soil from 
mingling with it. No plant should be repotted in 
a wet state, nor should it be allowed to become dry 
enough to cause it to flag, as this will not only 
give an immediate and severe check, but in giving 
■water after it is potted, it will percolate the new soil 
(which should always be used in a moderately moist 
state) without entering the dry ball ; if, from bad 
drainage or exhaustion of the soil, it has become 
impure, so much of it and of the old inactive roots 
should be removed. In such cases, as small a pot as 
possible should be used, which will admit the pre- 
served roots freely, being carefully laid out by the 
fingers amid the new soil ; for if in too large a pot, 
the soil becomes sour before any vigorous roots 
have entered and promoted drainage, as they are 
tardy to perform their functions vigorously after 
having been necessarily so much disturbed. However, 
when in a healthy and vigorous state, such space 
should be given it that will admit the fingers or 
both hands freely by its sides (according to the size 
of the plant) in inserting it in the new pot, where 
; t should be so placed that its crown, if of the 
