114 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
February 6, 1904. 
Potting. 
I should like to say just a. few words about potting, because, 
like “ watering,” it is a job which is many a time sadly 
“ scamped,” or, to put it plainly, badly done. 
Now, to commence a,t the very beginning, we will start with 
the pots. Always without fail se &> that your pots are 
thoroughly clean, •especially, inside, for if you do not do so, when 
you come to turn out the plants again you will find that they 
cling to the sides of the pots, and you will most certainly 
damage the plant’s roots before you get it turned out of its 
pot, iand by damaging its roots it only sounds to reason, that 
great harm must be done to the plant, whatever it may be. 
In crocking or draining the pots always see that the crocks 
are properly arranged (not thrown in any way by the handful), 
so that the water may be properly drained away, and also, so 
as to, as far as possible, exclude worms; also always give' 
sufficient drainage; do not stint the crocks. In crocking, put 
the large crocks at the bottom of the pot, and then put some 
smaller ones on the top of them. Always keep the crocks well 
riddled, .so as to do away with the dust, dirt, and very small 
crocks. . 
On the top of the crocks place some rough material. Some 
prefer moss, so.as to-keep the soil from getting down, among 
the crocks,. for once the soil gets down there it is practically 
impossible to have proper drainage, and the consequence will 
be that the soil will soon become sour and the plant sickly. I 
must not omit to mention that in using new pots for the. first, 
time.they must always: be well soaked in a tub of water before 
using them, so as to. take the fire out. of them. 
In the preparation, of the potting mould, first, break up the 
loam carefully by hand (except, where large-quantities may 
be required; then, it may be chopped with the: spade). I 
prefer it broken up by hand whenever possible. If for small 
plant®, of course it must; be broken up into small pieces; if 
for large plants, .of course break it up coarser. Never put. the 
compost through a riddle, except when it is wanted for seeds or 
cuttings, because by taking away the lumps and fibre you are 
doing away with the best part ; and, again, fine soil is always 
apt to cake up and become solid and sad. Always mix the 
ingredients well and carefully .together, turning them over 
several times, so as to have them thoroughly incorporated 
before' you use them. Always see that the .soil is just nice and 
moist before using it, neither wet nor yet too dry. 
Now, before commencing potting, always see that the 
plant—I mean the ball of soil—is nice and moist, because, if “t 
is dry when you pot it, you will find it a very difficult job 
to get them [moist again before a great injury has been done 
to the plant. 
In potting plants you must use careful judgment as to 
whether they require very firm potting or otherwise, for some 
plants'require to be very firmly po tted, such as Heaths, Azaleas,, 
etc., and many other hard-wooded plants ; then, again, many 
of the soft-wooded plants require to be potted only moderately 
firm. 
Again, in potting plants, never fill up the pots too full of 
soil, but. always leave plenty of room for water between the: rim 
and the surface of the soil. 
Before using the rammer, always see that it is not too thick, 
because if it is too thick it is bound to badly break and bruise 
the roots, and iso doi very serious injury to the plant, you are 
potting. 
Always be careful to see that the compost has gone right 
down to the bottom, for I have turned plants out. which, have 
been supposed to have been potted, a.nd found at. the bottom a 
space between the 'ball and the side of the -pot. I do* not. call 
that potting, hut. scamping ; it is caused by not. taking pains 
and an interest in your work. 
Space will riot, allow it, or I would have gone further still 
into file -subject. I am afraid I have encroached as it is. 
Japonic a. 
Readers’ Competition. —Particulars of Weekly Prize sen 
centre page,_ _i 
Anemones. 
Anemones rank very high amongst hardy garden plants, and 
if given, good culture seldom fail to give a satisfactory return, 
both in quantity and quality, of their gorgeous flowers. 
Seeds may be sown under glass in boxes in March, or out of 
doors in the early part of July. The former date -and method 
is that most generally practised, but good results can be ob¬ 
tained from the latter practice if properly carried out, A 
-bed for their reception should be as well prepared as if one 
were going to sow a special lot of vegetable seeds. 
A western aspect is an ideal position for Anemones in all 
stages; so this should he given if possible, although it is not 
absolutely necessary. The drills are best made by drawing 
the handle of the rake down the bed instead of a ho-e. Before 
sowing the s-eed it- is: best, to mix it. with -sand, a.s the woolly 
outer integument prevents it being evenly distributed unless 
separated as advised. When sown, cover with sifted leaves and 
sand, and give a, good watering. The seed beds must never 
become dry, and weeds must be kept down. It is best to 
leave them alone for a year or -so before planting into per¬ 
manent. quarters-, a® then one has a. chance to weed out- poor 
forms. Old seed is of no use. 
In planting t-ubers from the seedsman the beds should be 
trenched at least 18 in. deep, andlmme well-rotted cow manure 
incorporated with it. If it ha-s to be collected in the park 
look out for grubs, or the tubers will suffer. If the soil is 
poor, it will pay to take -away a few barro-wfuls and put in the 
same quantity of good loam. When the bed is ready drills 
should be drawn 1 ft, apart and 3 in. deep, and the tubers laid 
in, crown upwards, 6 in. apart. It is not always possible to 
distinguish between the crown and the root, but where any 
doubt exists one is always safe to lay them on their sides. 
Plant as soon as possible, as nothing is gained by waiting 
until a. certain date. I would plant Anemones St. Brigid and 
fulgems as soon as ever I could get them. I planted some 
hundreds of tubers in April, 1902, before any of the foliage 
was off them, and, as far as St. Brigid was concerned, flower 
either, a-nd the result ha® been certainly more than was ex¬ 
pected—a perfect success. 
The reason for doing this was to get the colours of the St. 
Brigid graded for crossing, and the plants of A. fulgens were 
in the way of alterations that were being carried out, 
H. Arnold. 
Culture of Cyclamen. 
Cyclamen is a very charming winter and spring blooming, 
bulbous plant, with very pretty foliage and flowers—the most 
beautiful, graceful, and lady-like—so easily cultivated withal 
that anyone may enjoy these floral bijous either in the sitting- 
room window, conservatory, or greenhouse from October to 
May by a little management, in the period of starting them into 
growth. 
Culture.—Plant, one bulb in a 5-in. or 6-in. pot, using a. rich 
•soil, composed of loam and leaf-soil, rotted dung, and a. little 
silver sand; and to secure good drainage place at the bottom 
of the pot an oyster-shell or a hollow piece of pot, and over 
that some pieces of charcoal. The bulb should not be covered 
more than half its depth. 
When the blooming season is over and the bulbs are at 
rest, plunge the pots in a shady, well-drained border. There 
let them remain till the leaves begin to grow, when they should 
be taken up, turned out of the pot®, and as much soil removed 
a® can be done without injury to the roots, and replaced with 
the compost already mentioned. A. Johnson. 
Broadlees, Reigate, Surrey. 
Obituary. 
Mr. William Henry Whittaker. 
We regret to- have to record the death of Mr. William Henry 
Whittaker, late of Wheatholme Street, Bacnp Road, Clough- 
feld. By occupation he was a gardener, and held the position 
of assistant gardener of Heightside, 
