40 WJi\nOW GARDENING. 
life with every drop. But don't let them remain out too long ; a :hill in April 
is often fatal to Heliotropes, variegated leaved plants, Fuchsias, etc. One must 
be governed by the climate 
In March or April, according to your latitude, it is well to look into the subject 
of repotting the plants that have stood in the window. If the plants have had 
the requisite care and attention during the winter, they have made many new roots 
and must now have larger pots if you would have them grow to the best advantage. 
Water the pots freely so that the ball of earth will slip out easily, and have 
your fresh potting soil moist to the touch. Never pot a plant with its ball of 
earth quite dry, for you cannot give it a good watering in that state. All the 
water you may supply will run down the fresh soil at the sides, and the plant 
will experience the fate of Tantalus of old, and literally starve to death, although 
its nourishment is in sight. Ifyouusenew pots, let them be soaked in water 
over night if possible, and at least three or four hours before using them. If 
your pots are old, let them be thoroughly washed, and cleansed from all green 
mould and soil. 
It is not needful to provide larger pots wlien the first roots show themselves; 
out when they have twined and interlaced their tiny fibres, then they require 
more room. Often a light rap upon the edge of the pot, will be sufficient 
to turn out the ball of earth ; but if not, a thin bladed knife can be run 
around close to the pot for- an inch or two from the top, and this will bring it out 
easily. Turn it out with your hand and examine the roots ; if they are closely 
curled about it, the plant requires a pot one size larger. Fill the pot with rich 
compost and put in the ball and plant directly in the centre, for a plant growing 
sideways in a pot looks very badly ; iill up all around the sides of the pot, 
packing the .soil down firmly witli the fingers, cover the ball to the depth of a 
quarter or half an inch, leaving a vacant space of half an inch more to the edge 
of the pot for the purpose of sratering to advantage. 
When you turn out the plant, the roots will sometimes appear decayed, and 
the soil poor, dried, and gritty ; then wash it all away, removing the dried roots, 
and give fresh, rich soil, pressing it firmly about the roots, but keep the same 
sized pot. 
Perhaps you will find your plants injured by injudicious watering, the roots 
rotted, and the soil sodden. Cut off the roots as much as possible without remov- 
ing the whole of them, and plant them in much smaller pots with a sandy soil, 
and they will regain their health. 
As the weather grows warmer in May, many plants can be placed in balconies 
or on piazzas, and shielded from chilly winds and cold nights by mats or blan- 
kets, or they may be removed to cooler rooms where the sunshine will be suffi- 
ciently warm to keep them healthy. This is far better than roasting them in 
the hot rooms that many will live in, spite of all remonstrances to the contrary. 
Sweet Verbenas should be brought from their winter quarters early in March, 
and they will soon put forth their light green, deliciously perfumed leaves. 
