The best soil for house plants is that which contains some undecayed organic matter, like leafmould or partly decayed sods, with a small admixture of sand. In potting, the soil must be pressed firmly around the roots of the plant, and the pot filled to within half an inch of the surface. Then apply a dressing of some kind, or the Ammoniated Food for Flowers, described elsewhere in this book,about a teaspoonful (not heaping) for a two-quart pot, and at the same rate for larger or smaller sizes. It should be thoroughly mixed with the soil or it can be used in a liquid form by dissolving one teaspoonful in two quarts of water.