Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-09-03


the pots to be used. This prevents their
drawing the moisture from the soil, as
new or dry pots will, often to the great
injury of the plants put in them. If old
pots are to be used give them thorough
scrubbing in strong soapsuds, to remove
all fungOus growth which may have
dried on them, and which the applica-
ton of fresh moisture will soon cause to
start into new growth.
Provide soil and material for drainage,
also stakes to furnish support for such
plants as may need it.
Lift the plant from the ground by in
sorting the spade under it-after run
ming it all around it in the cut previous
ly made, to make sure that all roots
were severed-and then bearing down on
the handle. The ball of earth contain
ing the plant will rise to the surface Of
the bed intact, and it can be lifted from
the spade without disturbing any of the
roots. If you have correctly gagged the
size of the pot intended for it the ball
can be slipped into it easily-the drain
age material being in place, of course
and about all you will have to do is to
work fine soil in to fill the small space
between the roots and the sides of the
pot. This may be done by the use of a
blunt stick if ones fingers are not long
enough. After filling in with this soil
water the plant we'll and at once remove
it to shady place, where it should be
allowed to remain until it has thorough
ly recovered from the shock of trans
planting. II should be placed where air
can circulate freely, and it should be
showered daily until it shows signs OF
growth.
Go over your plants as soon as you
have them potted, and cut away all
superfluous branches. Prune them to
symmetrical shape. If not bushy and
compact shorten the longer branches.
Tie such plants as need support to the
stakes you provide by strips of cloth in
stead of strings, as the latter cut into
the soft wood, often greatly injuring the
plants. If there are any buds remove
them, except in the case of chrysanthe-
NUNS and other plants whose season of
bloom is near at hand. I ought to have
said that in case the ground should be
quite dry all plants should be well water
ed before lifting, to prevent the soil
from crumbling away from the roots. Do
this the night before you pot your
plants.
After having ported the plants keep
careful watch of them. Satisfy yourself
that none of them suffers from lack of
sufficient moisture at the roots. 1t is a
good plan to leave at least an inch of
space between the soil and the top of
the pot. In watering pour on enough
water to fill the pot to its brim, and let
the soil absorb it at its leisure. If you
fill the pot with soil good deal of the
water you apply will run off, and not
enough will be left to thoroughly moist
en- the soil in the pot. In dry atmos-
phere the moisture at the roots OF a
plant will pass off rapidly by the process
of Transportation, through the leaves and
branches of a plant, and too rapid
performance of this kind is sure to great
ly injure all newly ported plants. This
may be checked by the daily showering
| have advised. If the plants are shaded
as they should be, water may be applied
to them at any time during the day, if
the weather is warm.
No matter how careful you are in lift.
ing, your plants the leaves of many OF
them will soon become yellow. Do not
wait for these to fall of their own accord,
but remove them as soon as you notice
their tendency to change color. If any
branch shows signs of weakness remove
| it at once, before whatever the cause OF
the weakness may be has chance to
communicate itself to the main stalk.
Before taking your plants into the
house satisfy yourself that they are en-
tirely free from insects of every de.
scription. To rout the aphis make use
of some preparations of nicotine, OF
which there are many good ones now on
the market. The most effective way to
apply this remedy is in the form of a
bath. Prepare a tubful of it and dip
your plants in it. This method is much
more effective than fumigation and de-
mands much less labor.
If there are mealy bugs or scale use
fir-tree oil soap. If you use it in the
form of bath the application will be
effective against the aphis also. 1t is
very important that you get rid of in
sects before taking your plants into the
house, as the conditions which prevail
there are always favorable to the rapid
propagation of insects.
Do not wait until cold weather comes
before removing your plants to the
house. Do this before it is necessary to
have fires there, and let them become
accustomed to the change by easy stages
Keep the windows open as much as
possible to admit plenty of fresh air. Dc
not have any fire in the rooms where
they are until it is absolutely necessary
The best place for most plants is in q