146 THE FLORIST. 



WATERPROOF COVERING FOR FRAMES, &c. 



Your correspondent "Alpha" deserves credit for his endeavours to 

 substitute a neat for a cumbrous article, in the employment of oiled 

 calico instead of bast matting. I do not think it would resist quite 

 so much cold ; but probably the difference of protection (and pro- 

 tection is now out of fashion) would not be great, and certainly, in 

 every other respect, it has greatly the advantage. And as he hopes 

 to improve his composition, I would suggest to him one I have used 

 about ten years, which is light in weight, of a lemon colour, and 

 dries quickly without much disagreeable smell : 



Well-boiled linseed-oil, one quart ; 

 Soft soap, one ounce. 



It will dry more quickly if three pints of oil are used to the ounce of 

 soap, but I think the fabric is more likely to tear at the creases, and 

 therefore I prefer the above proportions. When I first used it, I put 

 it on in the way " Alpha " mentions ; but I have since, where prac- 

 ticable, adopted the simpler plan of soaking the calico in the mixture 

 and wringing it out, beginning at one end, and drawing it gradually 

 through a small pancheon ; by which method a large carriage -cloth 

 is finished in a quarter of an hour, and less oil is used. It should be 

 remembered that the cloth must be made into whatever form it is to 

 have before using the composition, otherwise it will not be water- 

 tight at the seams, and therefore if nailed to a frame, the brush must 

 be used. 



I use it somewhat extensively, and find it answers many purposes 

 well, and, where not exposed much to the sun, will last many years. 

 I have a conducting tube of it to carry water to the other end of my 

 garden. 



Glass is now so cheap that no one need take this for a substitute ; 

 nevertheless I use a pent-house covering of this prepared calico to 

 strike my Pelargonium and other cuttings, and have no reason to 

 complain of the result. Even my Crusaders were trusted to it last 

 season, and so will my Gipsy Brides be this ; probably, also, . my In- 

 comparables next. 



Sailors occasionally employ it for waterproofing jackets, caps, 

 leggings, bags, and other boating gear ; but the composition for such 

 purposes should be, 



Unboiled linseed-oil, one quart ; 

 Soft soap, one ounce : 



which takes longer drying; and when dry, the articles should be 

 painted lightly over with highly boiled oil, to give them a shining 

 appearance without impairing their pliability. 



Now is the time to think of preparing these things. 



Iota. 



