Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1885-01-21
INDOOR GARDENING.
SoYse Use5,.l Sug0esttons.

SMALL vs. LARGE POTs.--With this prepa-
ration, it is obvious the pruned roots can be
placed In pots even smaller than those from
which they we're removed and this is desira-
BILE; at least, they should not be placed in
larger. Some persons appear to think that
every time plant Il siven 3 ,Sreeh rot that
this pot Mnees ssea1 1pakxs r. E L. ~
the old c,ss . Ill z fc6t down planta
Of the kind oer notice, tho exact opposite
is far preferable. The pots cannot be too
smali, provlded tne pruned roots can be con-
yeniently placed in them without much
crushing and crowding. They may press
slightly against the pots sides, and viii to
the better for doing SO, than If packed in q
great bulk of soil in a needlessly large not.
The plants should be placed in small pots ut
first, and root action and growth will be ac-
celebrated, and larger pots can be given II
required, early In the spring.
TRIMMING THE RooTs.--when a seranium
plant is cut down quite below the foliupe.
the roots die-that Is, the small fbers, or
foOda beorbers. These can not onR exist
when plant is divested of leaves; but the
strongest roots. which correspond with the
woody branches, remain alive, and put forth
fresh fibers when the plant puts forth fresh
leaves. But these fresh. active ibers do not
ramify freely In the old soil nor can they de
rive nourishment from it, for the simple
reason that It was extracted for the support
OF the growths that were removed In prun-
ing. We mast have new soil, then, as we'll
as new roots; indeed, the old plants must be
made young again, and as vigorous as be.
fore. With this object shake the plants that
were entirely cut down out OF their pots, re.
moving all the o,d soil from their roots,
then. with sharp knife, cut Off all the
brown, dead fbers or ha'r-like roots, leaving
only the older and harder roots-those parts
that are white and fresh when cut with the
knife-and from these, well treated. small.
feshy, feeding roots will issue.
CLEAN PoTs EssENrIAL.-When plants. or
whatever kind, are put in small pots, and
have to be eventually transferred to larger,
Is Is absolutely essential that the pots first
used be washed perfectly clean inside, and be
dry when the potting is commenced.
Some indiv iduals we have met wtth--and
there are hundreds OF such-cannot under
stand why flower pot must be clean for
holding "dirty earth" 1t is scarcely to be
expected that they should understand what
they have never been taught. Here is the
explanation of the assumed mystery:
When plant is put In dirty pot, and that
pot becomes filed with roots, these roots
cling to the sides with such great tenacity
that when the plant needs shifting It
cannot be taken from the pot with
out the roots being torn OF, and these, be it
understood, are always the best roots: but a
plant that was placed in c,ean pot at first
can be turned out as easily and as smoothly
as . Jelly from mold, and without root
being injured.
The difference, then, between using c'ean
and dirty pots 10 question Of roots or no
ROOTS of health or sickness, or even life and
death 10 the plants that are shifted.
One other word on pots. II quite new
ones are used they should always be soaked
for half IN hour or 90, then taken out and
dried, as II bcing used without being soaked
they win aoscrb the moisture from the sou
that ID required by the plants. Many plants
have failed to flourish because this simple
matter Of soaking new pots was not attended
to-the owners OF the plants never having q
suspicion that such preparation was neces-
sary.