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the upturned gutters. Flower pots and utensils for holding liquids are 

 very simply made by sawing apart the joints. For light trellises and 

 open sheds bamboo posts, poles, and rafters have no equal. 



The proper manipulation of bamboo in constructive work is of course 

 unfamiliar to our people, but is easily learned and would soon be 

 acquired if the material was fairly abundant. There is also much to be 

 learned as to the proper methods of curing and seasoning the timber. 

 If cut too young or in the growing season the tubular stems check or 

 split, which destroys their value for holding liquids and somewhat 

 impairs their strength. In Florida the proper season to cut bamboo is 

 during the winter before growth begins. In the West Indies, where 

 there is less winter rest, it is said bamboo will not check if cut "in the 

 dark of the moon." Water seasoning is practiced by the Chinese and 

 Japanese, but it will not avail with young or sappy stalks in Florida, 

 at least. 



Bambusa vulgaris will stand 8° or 10° of frost in Florida, if of short 

 duration, and is certainly destined to become more hardy with time. 



The stalks at Crescent City, which is situated in Putnam County, and 

 about the middle of the peninsula, have been cut down by cold three 

 times since 1882. However, even the most disastrous frosts, like those 

 of the past winter, can not materially injure the roots of well-established 

 plants. 



