ORNAMENTAL GARDEN POTS. 223 
and on those more common utensils pertaining to our daily wants, 
which have hitherto been considered unworthy of such distinction, is 
daily pushing itself into notice. We may hail this as unmistakeable 
evidence that an appreciation of the beautiful and decorative in art is 
fast pervading society at large. I have been led into making the 
above remarks, on reflecting what might be done by way of improving 
the appearance of that most useful, common, and certainly, at present, 
most unornamental piece of pottery, “ the garden-pot.” Gardeners 
have hitherto been content with it in its plain unpretending form ; and 
it may fairly be questioned whether any utensil employed either in 
gardening or agriculture has passed through the hands of many gene- 
rations with its primitive form so little altered as this has. It is true, 
Mr. Forsyth some years ago recommended to have them glazed, or 
varnished ; for which piece of advice he was unanimously voted an 
innovator, and I believe the plan was never put into practice. Some 
modification in its form, too, has been brought into notice, in the 
shape of the “* West Kent Garden Pot ;”’ but these, in so far as orna- 
ment is concerned, are not a whit before the original patterns. Again, 
lately, a substitute has been invented for our old friends in the shape of 
“ slate tubs.” Now I had always an inkling that these latter would 
be a great improvement, as regards appearance at least, to the common 
garden-pot ; but after seeing a stage of plants growing in the “ minia- 
ture orange-tubs,” I was so struck with their prim, formal appearance, 
producing impressions so unfavourable to my pre conceived ideas of 
beauty, that I determined in my own mind they would never succeed, 
where taste was called in question. Perhaps some readers may not be 
aware how far the decorative art may be carried into effect on the 
common flower-pot, and the wide field it opens for design in their 
embellishment; several attempts have been made, one of which has 
come under my notice, and as they have stood with comparative safety 
for twelve years to my knowledge, I am enabled to speak as to their 
durability. The pots T am now describing were, I believe, made at 
Sherborne, and are of a large size. They are (to all appearance) 
made of the common pottery clay, in moulds. The rims of the pots at 
top and bottom are embossed with foliage and flowers, and festoons of 
the same, in high relief, are carried round the sides. There is likewise 
an elaborate border towards the bottom, in the same style. ‘The 
foliage, &c., has all the sharpness of outline so valued in sculptured 
relievo. Altogether, they are the most decorative article I ever saw 
made for plants. Now, it has often struck me while admiring the 
magnificent plants which annually crowd the tables of the metro- 
politan exhibitions, how much pots of this description would enhance 
the beauty of the plants exhibited. It must be admitted, that the 
value of all objects is increased by comparison, as they approach a 
certain point, or degree of excellence. The plants themselves are 
many of them matchless specimens of the gardener’s skill. Nature 
and art cannot go much farther in cultivation. The pots, on the con- 
trary, are neither better, nor perhaps worse, than they were fifty years 
back ; try to embellish them, and make them worthy, as works of art, 
to be viewed with satisfaction, in connexion with the choice treasures 
