178 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ March 10, 1892. 
POTTING PLANTS. 
Having already dealt with the potting of plants which have 
had the top growths shortened, and, consequently, required a 
reduction of roots, I have now to treat of those which are shifted 
from the young seedling or the cuttings as they develop in growth. 
The hackneyed advice to shift into larger pots before the roots 
are matted around the sides of the pot is excellent, but requires 
some explanation, as also does another form of giving the same 
information, which usually runs, ‘‘Potas soon as the roots have reached 
the sides of the pot.” There may be exceptional cases in which 
beneficial results follow in consequence of having allowed certain 
plants to become thoroughly pot-bound before a shift is given, but 
as a general practice it is a thoroughly bad one. On the other 
hand, I think it is quite possible to err in the opposite direction, 
and place plants into larger pots before roots are sufficiently 
plentiful or active enough for that operation to be performed with 
the best results. I have sometimes potted plants as soon as the 
roots had reached the sides of the pot, and found they made less 
satisfactory progress than others kept for a longer time before 
being shifted. This, I think, is easily accounted for when the facts 
are noted closely. 
It is not unusual to find when plants are turned out of their 
pots that only a very few roots have found their way to the out¬ 
side of the soil. I prefer in such cases to let these advanced 
feeders suffer a slight check till the bulk of young roots are 
visible. In doing this I contend we are working on scientific 
principles, quite as much as when we pinch very strong shoots on 
plants or fruit trees, and that the root action is thereby 
equalised as much as top growth is by pinching. I fancy this 
matter requires a little more consideration than it receives. 
Calceolarias and Cinerarias are, perhaps, the most impatient of 
becoming root-bound in the early stages of growth, of all cultivated 
plants, and the roots should never be allowed to coil round the pot 
to any great extent before the plants receive their final potting; 
but although they require extra attention in this respect, it is yet 
necessary in their case, especially during the winter and early 
spring months, to see that root action is general before placing in 
larger pots, or, with the slightest mistake made in watering, the 
soil quickly becomes sour, and this is more injurious to the plants 
than delaying their potcing. Close observation is the only safe 
guide as to the exact time the repotting should be done, and 
instead of .shifting whole batches of plants irrespective of their 
condition, a sorting out should take place, shifting into larger pots 
only those that are in the right condition, while the weaker ones 
should have the surface of the soil stirred, be arranged together, and 
operated upon at a later period. 
Pelargoniums of all types when placed in their flowering pots 
should have the soil rammed very firmly, in order to secure that 
firm short-jointed growth which is the precursor of abundance of 
flowers. It is by no means desirable to see them start rapidly into 
growth after being potted. What is wanted is a steady and 
continuous growth, in which the woody tissues are gradually built 
up as extension takes place. Chrysanthemums, Solanums, Roses, 
Marguerites, and Genistas are also among those that require very 
firm potting, while the compost for Fuchsias, Begonias, Gloxinias, 
and such Ferns as Lomaria gibba and Davallia Mooreana should 
not be pressed so firmly. All kinds of Heaths, Epacris, Ericas, 
Dracophyllums, Diosmas, Azaleas, and Rhododendrons should at 
all times receive only small shifts. As the work of potting 
proceeds, each layer of soil added should not be more than from 
1 to 2 inches in thickness before being thoroughly rammed, and as 
each successive layer of soil is pressed down care must be taken that 
the rammer forces it on to the soil below. 
In dealing with all classes of plants other than bulbous ones 
it is important not to bury the stems to a greater extent than is 
necessary to add a slight coating of soil to freshen the surface. 
This is especially the case with the hardwooded plants above 
named ; with them deep potting is generally a fatal proceeding. 
Many cultivators recommend that the centre of the plant should 
be slightly raised. This I consider is not a good practice, because 
the centre of the ball is more liable to become dry, while the fresh 
soil is in the opposite extreme in regard to moisture : when 
potting, therefore, I prefer to have the centre of the ball slightly 
below the soli around the edges of the pot. 
The be.,t time for giving plants their annual repotting is, as a 
rule, when growth commences ; the sap is then becoming active, 
and fresh roots are quickly formed. It is, however, not always 
possible to have all plants potted just at this stage, and if left till 
growth is much advanced, unless special precautions are taken to 
shade and keep them close for a time, the operation had better be 
deferred till the young growth is completed. Pots two sizes larger 
than those the plants are growing in is usually about the right 
shift to give, but this may sometimes be modified when transferring 
to the flowering pots. It is then often necessary to use pots three 
sizes larger. In the case of Heaths and Ericas pots only one size 
larger often suffice. 
In doing the work dexterity and smartness should at all times 
be aimed at, especially by young men. An operator who performs 
the work in a dilatory or slovenly manner, without giving the 
subject the thought necessary, is a constant source of annoyance. 
On the other hand, there is such a thing as getting into a groove 
of pondering on the work going on, and making but little progress 
in its execution. Those who set about work in such ways are not 
valued in the present stirring times, nor do they meet with much 
success in the battle of life, where they have to compete with those 
who carry out their work with thoughtful intelligence and com¬ 
mendable despatch.—H. Dunkin. 
I WAS somewhat disappointed with Mr. Dunkin’s remarks on the 
above subject on page 139, and should like to ask your correspondent, 
when he resumes his subject, to give us a little clearer and better 
information on the subject. Why not begin with plants that are now 
ready for attention, such as Palms? but on no recount advise loose 
potting, as I have never known a Palm do well in loose soil; besides, the 
extra attention required in watering would be very great. I advise at 
all times to pot Palms firmly, and use the best fibrous loam procurable, 
with a sprinkling of Thomson’s or Clay’s manures in the soil, and thus 
secure a rapid yet compact growth, that is so desirable in the culture of 
Palms. Then follow with fine-foliage stove plants, Alocasias, and all 
that require a compost of rough peat, charcoal, bones, broken crocks, 
moss, &c. Here we youngsters may take the hint, and pot rather 
loosely. But not so with Crotons, which need good loam, very little 
peat, plenty of sand, and the use of the potting stick freely, not the 
“rammer;” the latter we use for posts when putting up gates and 
fences. 
Now for Ferns, and what they should be potted in. There are 
several varieties, which need quite different soils for growing success¬ 
fully. I am of opinion that anyone writing on the subject of potting 
plants should say in what composts the different varieties should be 
placed, as well as explain the way in which the work should be done ; 
also state at what season of the year. Such precise information would 
be found interesting and instructive to beginners.—T. W. 
THOUGHTS ABOUT TOMATOES. 
Rich harvests of magnificent fruit have rewarded cultivators of 
Tomatoes in the open air in many seasons, but the succession of 
years in which the crops have been either inferior or worthless is 
now becoming a long one. “As in 1887 ” must be the hope of 
many a disappointed grower for the season that is opening. What 
will it bring forth ? The mellow heat of a generous summer sun, 
broken only by genial and life-giving showers, or t^e “tearful 
festival ” of a sky from which the smile is banished ? Time will 
show. Whether the general tenor of Tomato topics be of the 
same mournful tinge as during the past two seasons, or spring back 
joyously to the buoyant tone of 1887, must be left to the future to 
decide. But while bowing to the inevitable acknowledgment that 
on the character of the season must success or failure largely 
hinge, we can at least determine that no efforts shall be spared to 
take the tide at the flood should it set in our favour, or to make 
the utmost possible headway if the stream be adverse. 
The powerful impetus that was given to Tomato growing by its 
widespread adoption both as a cooking and dessert fruit a few years 
ago shows no sign of degeneration ; on the contrary, it continues 
with unabated force. And great as the demand is, it is likely to 
increase fully in proportion to the supply for many years to come. 
The uses of the fruit-vegetable are so manifold that if the home 
supply increased a hundredfold, and were attended by a correspond¬ 
ing diminution in price, it would be readily taken up and utilised. 
It is impossible to estimate the capacities that exist for the con¬ 
sumption of superior produce. The extent of the importations 
gives some idea of it; but if poor-looking, ill-favoured fruit finds, as 
it does, an almost inexhaustible market, larger by far would be the 
want for British Tomatoes of handsome appearance and rich flavour. 
Home growers need to put forth earnest endeavour to excel 
American, Canadian, and Tasmanian Apples ; but with Tomatoes 
the field is more easily to be won. It is satisfactory to observe 
that they realise in what their advantage lies, and are careful to 
make the most of it. 
The uncertainty of the seasons presents a source of embarrass¬ 
ment to Tomato growers that is experienced in hardly any other 
market commodity, not in the chance character of the outdoor crop 
considered in itself alone, but with respect to its bearings on the 
indoor supply. There is in the ordinary course of events a satis¬ 
factory return on capital invested on Tomatoes under glass, but 
should the outdoor crop be abundant prices naturally fall, and it is 
only the superior returns from the early and late produce that 
