le bit of old sod
over this. The soddy matter takes up only about a quarter inch. Give me
a trowel full of the potting soil, or a little coarse soil first. Now I
lower into the pot my plant with its own earth still about it. See, it
is going to be about right. Now, while I hold the plant in position in
the pot with my left hand, I shake the potting soil in all about the
plant. Here is a stick. I made it and call it my potting stick. It is
about the length of a foot ruler. See, it is about an inch thick and has
a rounded end. With this end I gently poke the soil into place.
Occasionally, I give the pot a little shake, which settles the soil into
crevices and crannies. But never do this jerkily or violently. When the
soil is within a half inch of the top of the pot, press it down all
about the plant stem; that is, firm the plant. You should be able to
take up a potted plant by the plant stalk without uprooting it. The
florist can do this with any of his potted plants. If the plant is loose
in its new home it will not do well."

"You said to have a half-inch space between top of soil and top of pot.
I should like to know why, because all the plants at my aunt's house are
done the other way," eagerly inquired Helena.

"The purpose of the half-inch space is for watering the plant. I should
be willing to wager that when your aunt waters her plants she has a bad
time with water spilling over and soil washing out. The space allows for
this and prevents its happening."

"I shall tell her about that when I go to see her. I am to go next week.
Don't you think I might carry her a plant nicely potted?"

"Indeed I do. I think we can spare a begonia for her. Just let me water
this plant a little. Notice that I do not flood it. Now, set it outside,
Elizabeth, right by my back door where it will be sheltered."

"Why put it outside?" asked the child, as she took the pot; "I'd have
left it here under shelter."

"It goes out because good fresh air is as important for newly potted
plants as good soil, careful handling, and watering. Now for a slipping
geranium lesson!

"Old, stocky geraniums in the fall garden are exactly right to slip.
These properly slipped and started, if well cared for, will blossom by
January or February. If closely crowded into the window box, you may be
certain of bloom provided you have good, strong sunlight on them.

Florists slip geraniums and put them into sand; many people put the
slips into water to fo