170 
THE EPACRIS. 
plants to begin with, are those which flower for the first time, 
and occupy so as to fill three or four iuch pots; there is no danger 
with plants of this kind bf having them in a stunted condition ; 
on the contrary, they may be expected to break vigorously, and 
as their roots extend, to throw up strong stems that are certain 
to flower abundantly in the following season. 
The proper period for repotting is immediately the plants 
have done flowering: the decline of the blooms should be the 
signal to cut down all the branches to within an inch or two of 
their origin ; and whether young plants or large specimens, the 
same course should be pursued;—it may seem a severe one at the 
time, but as it is the only pruning required, unless the plants are 
cut pretty close, they will ultimately become straggling and 
naked at bottom. 
The old method of stopping the growing shoots is objectionable, 
because attended with considerable loss of flowers; the flowering- 
principle is then diverted into so many channels by the multi¬ 
plication of the branches, that instead of long and dense spikes 
of bloom, we have only scattered sprigs filled with flowers, and 
the general effect is materially injured. As the plants are cut 
down, they should be repotted, the small plants will be greatly 
benefited by a rather large shift, and those which have attained 
to a specimen size, should by no means be cramped for root-room. 
The soil should be prepared by rubbing up the peat before men¬ 
tioned, breaking it into pieces with the hand, but on no account 
should it be sifted; all the smaller roots and stones should be 
retained, and if it is then found to be very light in texture, and 
of a pale brown from an excess of vegetable matter, a little loam 
may be added to consolidate it, and, to complete the compost, as 
much sand as will give to the entire mass a grayish colour, should 
be well mixed in. Ample drainage must be secured by placing- 
in the bottom of each pot a layer of broken potsherds to a depth 
of about one sixth that of the pot, and other pieces may be 
mingled with the soil; keep the bottom of the plant’s stem just 
level with the rim of the pot, and press the soil pretty firmly 
down with the hand, taking care to fill the spaces round the 
sides. Directly after repotting, the plants should be stationed 
for the summer in cold pits or frames, where, for a fortnight, they 
