298 SCIENCE OF GARDENING. Part II. 



in general, be straight and tapering to a point, and as delicate as the weight of the plant, and the exposure 

 of the situation will admit. The side shoots of these props shoidd, in most cases, be cut off; but in others, 

 as in propping the dahlia, it is desirable to have some lateral studs, from three to eight inches long, near 

 the top, so as to spread out the head. In lieu of this, several props are sometimes used, placed in form of 

 an inverted pyramid, or cone, or of a regular prism. One prop, however, judiciously managed, will gene- 

 rally be found sufficient. In no case should the bark be removed, because its natural tint is less glaring, 

 and' therefore preferable to that of peeled wood, and also because it preserves better the texture of the 

 wood. In order that they may last several years, they should be cut in mid-winter, and the thick end 

 pointed and charred by burning, or dipped in boiling pitch. The elegant propping of plants deserves the 

 particular attention of the young gardener, as it is frequently done in so slovenly a manner as greatly to 

 detract from the order and neatness which ought to reign in most descriptions of gardens. In pleasure- 

 grounds or picturesque scenes, trees and shrubs should, in general, prop themselves, or each other ; but 

 in flower and botanic-gardens, flower-borders, green-houses, &c. the greatest degree of art and high- 

 keeping, and a sort of drilled polish, easier felt than described, ought always to prevail. In all that re- 

 spects this part of gardening, the French and Germans greatly excel the English, who are herein too apt 

 to look at the end, without regarding the means. 



1518. Spray or branches are used as props for plants furnished with tendrils, as the common pea, and 

 many of the leguminous tribe. Spreading frond-like, and yet thin spray, such as that of the beech, hazel, 

 or Scotch elm, is generally preferable ; but for early crops the spray of the resinous tribe, and especially of 

 the spruce and silver firs, is valuable, as producing warmth and shelter, by its numerous chaffy leaves, 

 which are non-conductors. 



1519. Ties are various ; the most general are the ligular threads of bass matts; for 

 espaliers some use withs, or tarred cords or threads : on the continent, rushes (Juncus 

 effusus) cut green and dried in the sun are used ; and often wheat-straw. When mat, 

 bark, rush, willow or other spray or shoots, or straw are used, they should be previously 

 soaked a short time in water. 



1520. Covering materials are straw, reeds, haulm of any sort, spray, &c. They may 

 either be used loose, which when the weather is dry and calm, is the most effectual way 

 of excluding cold ; or drawn, that is, with the stalks or spray arranged in parallel lines in 

 the manner of thatch, by which means the rain runs off, and then they exclude cold 

 both in dry and wet weather. Sometimes straw and reeds are so prepared in frames, or 

 rails suited to the size of beds in the manner of the reed, or spray, or wattled hurdle. 

 (1499.) Sometimes they are covered with mats ; but as the latter readily admit rain, 

 this mode is much inferior to that of arranging the straw or reeds in the manner of thatch. 



1521. Boards and planks are used in gardening, for wheeling up declivities, over steps 

 and hollows, across borders, walks, &c. The notched or bridge-plank is used to protect 

 edgings, serving as a bridge across them. Tressels are used for raising planks in ex- 

 tensive operations on the soil, in forming pieces of water, new gardens, or garden-scenery. 



1522. Various prepared articles might be mentioned as of frequent or occasional use. 

 Scoria from a forge is used for forming a platform impervious to worms, on which to place 

 pots of plants. Soaper's ashes or waste is used for the same purpose. The use of gravel 

 and sand is very general ; fine sand, uncontaminated with ferruginous matter, is parti- 

 cularly useful in propagating heaths and other delicate plants by cuttings. Oyster- 

 shells are used as crocs or sherds for covering the bottom holes of pots. Quick-lime in 

 powder or infusions to destroy vermin, especially worms. Tobacco and other prepared 

 matters are also used for the same purpose. Moss is used in packing and for other 

 objects. Tanner's bark for its heat and fermentation. 



Chap. II. 

 Structures used in Gardening. 



1523. By garden-structures we mean to designate a class of buildings which differ 

 from all other architectural productions, in being applied to the culture, or used exclu- 

 sively as the habitations of plants. As edifices, the principles of their construction belong 

 to architecture ; but as habitations for plants, their form, dimensions, exposition, and, 

 in many respects the materials of which they are composed, are, or ought to be, guided 

 by the principles of culture, and therefore under the control of the gardener. They may 

 be arranged into the moveable, as the hot-bed frame ; fixed, as the wall, trellis, &c. ; and 

 permanent, as the hot-house. 



Sect. I. Temporary or Moveable Structures. 



1524. Of these, some are for protecting plants in fixed places, as against walls or trel- 

 lises, and exemplified in the different methods of covering by frames of canvass, netting, or 

 glass ; others constitute habitations for plants, as the hot-bed frame, pit, &c. 



Subsect. 1. Structures Portable, or entirely Moveable. 



1525. Portable structures are the flower-stage, canvass or gauze frame or case, glass 

 frame or case, glass tent, and glazed frame. 



1526. Of the fiou-er-stage there are two principal species ; the stage for florists' flowers 

 and the stage for decoration. 



1527. The stage for florists' flowers, when portable, is commonly a series of narrow shelves 

 rising in gradation one above the other, and supported by a frame and posts, so as to be 

 3 or 3| feet from the ground at the lowest shelf. These shelves are enclosed, generally, 



