FLOWERS ALL THE YEAR ROUND FROM SEEDS AND ROOTS

Before proceeding to the duties which need attention in successive

months of the year, it may be worth while to consider some of the points

which constitute the alphabet of flower culture. To grow any plant in a

pot is an artificial proceeding, and the conditions for its sustenance

and health have to be provided. Among these conditions are temperature

and accommodation. It is useless to attempt to grow flowers which

require heat unless that necessity can be met. And it is equally useless

to pot more plants than the space will accommodate when they attain

their full size. A limited number, well grown, will produce a greater

wealth of bloom, of finer quality, than a larger number which become

feeble from deficiency of space for development. Nevertheless, there are

many varieties raised in heat in the early months of the year which can

be grown and flowered in the most satisfactory manner, without any kind

of artificial aid, from sowings made in the open ground during April or

May. The flowering will be somewhat later than from plants brought

forward under glass; but as they receive no check from the very

commencement, they will not be greatly behind their nursed relations;

and they may even excel them in robust beauty, if they are treated

intelligently and with a generous hand.



Good Soil for pot plants is not always obtainable at a reasonable

cost, and sometimes the materials at hand must be made to serve the

purpose. None the less is it true, that in proportion to the skill and

experience of the cultivator will be his desire to secure a supply of

loam, peat, and leaf-mould. Those who are capable of turning poor soil

to the best account are precisely the men who will be most anxious to

obtain the materials which are known to promote the luxuriant growth of

pot plants.



The top spit of an old pasture makes capital potting soil. If taken from

light land, it need only be stacked for one year before use. A heavy

loam should be kept for at least two seasons, and in any case the heap

should be turned and re-made several times. A slight sprinkling of soot

between the layers of soil will be beneficial, and help to make it

distasteful to grubs, wireworms, and other vermin. The frequent turning

of the heap will not be wasted labour, for it equalises the quality, and

tends to sweeten the whole by exposing new surfaces to the atmosphere;

and this is a great aid to healthy growth.



Many plants thrive in peat, or in soil of which peat is a constituent,

and some flowers cannot be grown without it. The peat may have to be

purchased from a distance, but there is no difficulty in obtaining it.



A constant supply of decayed leaf-mould may possibly be arranged on the

spot by sweeping up leaves and making a fresh heap every fall. In due

time these leaves will decay and make useful potting soil. If this is

out of the question, the requisite quantity must be purchased.



The preparation of soil for pot plants is frequently postponed until the

day on which it is actually required. This is a bad practice, and

results too often in the use of an improper proportion of the materials,

and perhaps in their defective admixture. In this, as in all other

operations connected with horticulture, the men who make all requisite

arrangements in advance will achieve the highest results. In no pursuit

of life is it more necessary to forecast coming wants than in the

culture of flowers. We will suppose that three or four weeks hence many

pots are to be filled with Primulas. The man who grows this flower with

any degree of enthusiasm will not defer the preparation of the soil

until the day arrives for potting the plants. He will determine in

advance the proportions of loam, leaf-mould, and sand, have the whole

thoroughly incorporated, and possibly sifted to remove stones. With

these may come away some undecayed fibres, which make excellent material

for laying over the crocks at the bottom of each pot. Forethought of

this kind is certain of an ample reward.



Potting soil should also be in the right condition as to moisture. This

is not easy to describe, but it must handle freely, and yet there should

be no necessity for the immediate application of water after sowing

seeds or planting bulbs. In the event of the compost being too dry,

give it a soaking and allow it to rest for one or more days, according

to the time of year and the state of the atmosphere.



Pots, new or old, should be soaked in water before use. They are very

porous, and by absorbing moisture from the soil they may at once make it

too dry, although in exactly the right condition before being placed in

the pots. And old pots ought never to be used until they have been

scrubbed quite clean. These may appear to be trivial matters, unworthy

of attention. They have, however, an influence on the health of plants,

and experienced growers know that a few apparent trifles make all the

difference between success and failure. Pots which are dirty, or covered

with green moss, prevent access of air, and tend to bring about a sickly

growth. Cleanliness in horticulture is valuable for its own sake, and

for the orderly routine it necessitates on the part of the cultivator.



Pots are known both by number and by size. They are sold by the 'cast,'

and a cast always consists of the distinguishing number. The following

are the numbers and sizes:--



Number in Cast Inches



72 Inside diameter across top 2-1/2

Small 60 " " 2-3/4

Mid. 60 " " 3

Large 60 " " 3-1/2

Small 54 " " 4

Large 54 " " 4-1/4

Small 48 " " 4-3/4

Large 48 " " 5