PRINCIPLES OF ACCUMULATIVE POTTING. 197 
vigour. The ball of earth should be kept as nearly level with 
the surface of the pot as possible, as the soil will sink, and the 
roots descend. ' In draining the pots, great care is required to 
avoid the use of any crocks to which impure matter auheies, 
which, by increasing, will probably check the drainage, or 
produce noxious gases. Alter placing the first layer, X would 
recommend fibrous matter with some coarse soil over that, then 
adding the proper compost till you come to the centre, when 
slight drainage, in my opinion, should be adopted; this may be 
charcoal. Much has been said for and against this substance; 
but I will endeavour to point out such of its claims upon the 
horticulturist as have come under my notice. It has the pro¬ 
perty of decomposing impure matter, such as tainted meat and 
putrid water, may it not then have the power of keeping the 
soil free from the putrefying matters which often destroy the 
spongioles ? Its porosity, as well as the property' of absoibing 
water with rapidity, and, after imbibing it, allowing all other 
water to sink through it directly, are some of the favourable 
effects; besides it has the power of fixing the oxygen, com¬ 
bining it with the carbon, and thus affording food to plants, 
independent of other sources with which the various organs of 
the plant may come in contact. The quality of water is 
another essential, to the undue consideration of which failures 
may be often attributed, from the various substances with 
which it is sometimes charged. Pernicious effects orten pro¬ 
ceed from the matter it may collect in passing through pipes, 
or in tanks or other vessels; independently oi this, haici watei 
has a tendency to harden the spongiole, depriving it of its due 
flexibility ; but for useful information on this subject, I would 
advise every horticulturist to possess himseli 01 booth s 1 / Gait sc 
on Water. A due attention to proper ventilation is also essen¬ 
tial for the well-doing of plants; the only rule to be guided by 
is, to make oneself acquainted with the nature of the influence 
of the various seasons on vegetation, in the several localities 
from which our plants are obtained. 
X have now glanced over some of the leading features of the 
accumulative system. My ambition has not been to couit 
approbation, but to excite enquiry into the truth of those 
matters on which our labours depend for success. The laws 
which govern vegetation have been neglected even by the 
u 3 
