full of roots. By this means a fresh supply of food is provided 
a time when the plcint is in el condition to nmke use of 
it’ In transferring plants from smaller to larger pots an increase 
of about two inches at a time is generally sufficient. For in- 
stance a plant that has been growing in a four- inch pot can be put 
in a six-inch, and when that becomes full of roots into an eight- 
rich and so on. In the case of quick-growing hardy plants these 
easurements may be exceeded to save trouble in repotting so 
-tny times \ but if the plant is one it is desired to cultivate as 
ell as possible repot as often as necessary. The soil at time of 
jing should be neither too wet nor too dry, that is to say, it 
iouid be neither too sticky nor powdery. The latter condition 
an always be prevented by sprinkling it with a fine rose water- 
ip pot before using, but it sometimes happens that one is ob- 
_r0(t to use soil wetter than is desirable and whenever that is the 
ase let the plant stand a few hours, after being potted, without 
atering ; but if the soil is in a proper condition you can water 
nmediately. In removing a plant from the pot in which it has 
‘cn growing turn it upside down and knock it clean out without 
orbing the roots. Place it in the centre of the newly pie- 
L red pot and fill the space between the ball and the side of the 
)t, pressing it gently but equally all lound. 
Watering. 
The rainfall is not always what one could desire ; sometimes 
comes too heavy, and sometimes, when most wanted, not at 
pjj. In the latter case the deficiency has to be made good with 
i fie watering-can, and I should think there is no question so often 
asked as the one “How often should I water this plant ?” It is 
a common saying among gardeners that the man who thoroughly 
understands the use of the watering-can has not much more to 
if a r n, and it is the want of this knowledge more than any other 
it makes the native kebun the vexation that he is. All plants 
en of the same kind, and standing side by side, do not require 
v ¥ iter in equal quantities or always at the same time, and no rule 
can be laid down as to how often any plant will require water. 
Much depends in the amount of root action going on, the state 
of the drainage, size of the pot, state of the weather, &c. Ob- 
serve carefully and if the soil looks dry, water and water tho- 
roughly until the water percolates through the bottom of the 
pot. Do not water again until the soil again shows signs of- 
becoming dry. Avoid constantly giving a dribbling of water 
w ich moistens the surface only as the plant either wants w 7 ater 
■ t does not ; if the former then give enough to moisten the 
v. hole mass of the soil. With a little practice it is easy to tell 
wh ether a plant is dry or not by simply tapping the pot gently 
or. the outside with the knuckles or a bit. of stick. If dry it gives 
out a hollow sound easily recognized after a little practice. 
Morning and evening are the best times to apply W'ater, but in 
very hot dry weather it is sometimes necessary to w r ater in the 
middle of the day, or at least while the sun is still high, and when- 
ever this is the case the foliage should not be made wet. 
