The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-12-14
poTTED PLANTS.
Like Gagged Birds, They Require Much
Attention.


Plants in pots may be compared to
Gagged birds, both being in unnatural
conditions. Their requirements must
be filled or the results win be unsatis.
factory. A free bird or a free plant
having the air, or mother earth around
them, can resist wind and dust and
dryness, and many other things that
interfere with growth; but when in
cages or pots they are entirely at the
mercy of those who own them. Birds
| generally fare better than plants. For
it is not uncommon to see plants in
windows and on ratings Of verandas
day after day, exposed to sun, winds
and dryness; the pots are porous and
the roots Of the plants are close against
| the sides; they soon become hard and
/ dry and incapable of transmitting sup
/ plies to the leaves and stems. The
plant itself, exposed to winds and dry
ness, reaches a pitihle condition and
life soon becomes a matter of simple
endurance, depending entirely upon its
| powers Of resistance. The supply Of
/ water is often deficient, the dry pot
absorbing great deal, and most Of
the water running down on the out.
| side of the ball, the centre OF the ball
being dry.
Pot plants growing in exposed places
should have double pots or pot covers,
much injury being done by the expos
ure of the porous clay of the pots to
drying influences. There are certain
plants that can bear exposure to adj
verse influences far better than 9th
ers. Among them are yuccas, aloes,
fourcroyas, palms, asparagus, spren.
geri and a few other plants with thick
leathery leaves Plants in pots should
never be allowed to become dry. Ne
glect of this kind once may cause
more damage to the roots of a plant
than it can repair in month. The
ends Of root which they absorb mois-
ture or nutriment. If these are destroy
ed by drying Or decayed BY overwater-
Ing the source Of supply is cut off from
the plant. 1t has to put out new roots
before it can regain its yigor. Hence
the Importance of care in watering.
New or dry pots should be soaked in
water before potting plants, so as to
MI the pores or they will absorb mos-
ture from the soil and dry out the
roots. It is good plan to protect
ported plants with covers or set them
inside Of second pot to keep the plant
from sun or draught Covers can be
made of rice mattings and various 9TH
er materials, or pot covers can be pur-'
chased ready made.
Plant rooted cuttings in two and two
and one half inch pots and repot into
larger sizes as the pots fiji up with
roots. Small plants should never be
put into large pots, but advanced as
they gain size and strength. If over.
ported the soil becomes sodden before
the plant grows large enough to re-
ouire room. 1t grows slowly and Of
ten makes q complete failure. In re-
potting turn the pots over, face down,
Placing The fingers across the top to
hold the plant, and gently tap hlle
edge of pot on the edge of a table
or potting bench The plant will
slip out easily and its roots can be
examined and the plant slipped back
in the pot, or ported on. as desired.
If the roots have reached the out
side of the BAH and formed network
around it, it requires a larger pot
philadelphia Bulletin.