NEW HOLLAND PLANTS. 
221 
is far more advisable to repot before they become so numerous, 
than to suffer them thus to waste the energies of the plant, a 
state arising from a species of neglect, or want of attention at an 
earlier period. 
It is impossible to fix any time for the repotting ; it should be 
done whenever requisite, so that it is not in the winter season, to 
shift them then would be worse than useless ; but any time be¬ 
tween February and August, or a fortnight later, may be regarded 
as proper, so that the plant is in a growing state, and requires it. 
In the early part of the season, a considerable change may be 
given when repotting, that is, several sizes may intervene between 
the pots they are taken out of, and those intended to receive 
them, but, on the approach of autumn, it is well to restrict the 
shift to a single size larger, as the object is to have the pot well 
filled with roots by the winter, or, more correctly, to supply only 
so much soil as it seems probable the plant will be able to assi¬ 
milate before called on to resume its dormant state, and thus to 
prevent an extension of its action into the winter months. 
In the operation, after the removal of the plant from the pot it 
has been growing in, the roots should be carefully separated, the 
ball of earth moderately loosened, and, having well drained the 
pot it is intended to occupy, fill with the earth prepared to a 
depth sufficient to receive the ball of the plant, so that its upper 
surface is just level with the rim of the pot; a few pieces of broken 
freestone or potsherds may be mixed with the soil, if a large 
quantity is required for the plant, or, in the case of a tender, shy¬ 
growing kind, this keeps the soil porous, and is of much assist¬ 
ance to the spread of roots ; having properly stationed the 
specimen in its new abode, fill in the sides, pressing the mould 
moderately tight with the hand, give a gentle watering, and the 
job is complete. It is sometimes necessary to place newly-shifted 
plants into a close shaded place till they have recovered the re¬ 
moval ; for this purpose a pit is necessary, and care must be 
taken that it does not get too hot, and to preserve an agreeable 
humidity in the atmosphere while the plant is there. 
Watering, if not the most important feature in their manage¬ 
ment, is one of very great consequence, for if this is not properly 
attended to everything else fails as a matter of course; they will 
not bear extremes of any kind. The supply must be regulated 
