294 
THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
is one out of doors, sheltered from cutting winds and partially 
shaded, but not under trees, taking great care to prevent worms 
getting into the pots. 
The second spring, before they commence growing, every shoot 
should be tied to a straight stick, and all of them staked except 
the centre one. Tf this is attended to ? and the plants frequently 
turned round, and not crowded when growing, neither pruning 
or staking wdll be required ever after. This brings me to the 
last part of the subject, namely, the application of water and the 
choice of soil. 
And here we shall be most likely to err if we are guided by 
the laws of nature in applying the elements essential to the exist¬ 
ence of a plant when we have completely changed its constitution 
by artificial treatment. It is quite true that these plants, by their 
peculiar organization, are enabled to endure the long-continued 
drought to which they are exposed in their native climate, but we 
must remember that their roots enjoy an unlimited range, and 
probably descend to where some moisture is to be found. And 
it is a fact demonstrated by experience, that although plants are 
endowed with the hardihood to bear extreme changes of the 
elements, fyet their health is not impaired if these changes are 
diminished. Therefore I would advise water to be given when¬ 
ever the soil indicates dryness, and then only. I am convinced 
it will do no harm if the pots are well drained. 
Another prevalent error is, that of supposing the natural soil 
of a plant is best suited for its growth in a pot. As well might 
we say that the soil in a flower garden is the best for putting the 
numerous varieties of exotic plants which luxuriate in it during 
the summer months, and indeed seem to indicate by their growth 
that the quality of soil was to them a matter of subordinate 
importance ; but one trial will suffice to prove the fallacy. It is 
very evident that all plants that root in the earth require certain 
properties which it contains ; these they collect; but when • 
restricted to the narrow limits of a pot, the soil we provide ought 
not only to abound with these nutritious properties, but have 
nothing in it inimical to that particular plant. The soil which I 
have found to come the nearest to this standard of excellence 
respecting the Acacia, is the Wimbledon peat. This I use in 
all stages of their growth, shifting them into larger pots every 
spring, if they require it. This peat or bog is a mass of decaying 
