083 



POTTING OF PLANTS. 



POULTRY. 



694 



pentine with a metallic flux. Thus, gold oxidised by being thrown in 

 a melted state into aquafortis, 1 ounce ; quicksilver 14 pennyweights, 

 oxide of bismuth 1 pennyweight, chloride of silver 2 pennyweights. 

 In the enamel-kiln, the bismuth and silver melt, and fix the gold to 

 the china, without dissolving it BO as to prevent its being burnished. 



There has been some dispute (into which it is unnecessary to enter) 

 as to the invention of parian, the beautiful biscuit-ware adopted for 

 statuettes. The substance itself came into use about the year 

 1842, and is difficult to manufacture ; the articles are moulded in 

 many pieces, and shrink much during several successive firings. 



Puttery. This name is often given to the coarser kinds of red, 

 yellow, and brown ware, such as that of which large vessels are made ; 

 but the word, like porcelain, is used in a very indeterminate way. Be 

 the name what it may, however, the substance itself has become com- 

 mercially of much importance. Lambeth is the head-quarters of this 

 manufacture. What is called Lambeth atmiticare is a vitrified body, 

 having its surface coated with a glaze made at a very high heat by 

 throwing salt into a hot oven ; or with a glaze of silicate of soda. 

 According to a paper read by Mr. Goddard, before the Society of Arts, 

 in 1860, there were in Lambeth, about the year 1820, six or seven 

 potters, having sixteen small kilns of 8 feet diameter, making about 

 201. worth per kiln-full of blacking-bottles, ginger-beer bottles, pickle- 

 jars, and articles of a like kind ; and for some years afterwards the 

 trade did not materially change its character. At a later date, how- 

 ever, when sanitary measures began to be adopted in the metropolis 

 and other towns, a demand for stoneware drain-pipes gave a new 

 impetus to the Lambeth potters, who have ever since made rapid 

 advances in the scale of their manufactures. Casting in moulds and 

 turning in the lathe are processes now much more adopted than 

 formerly in the production of this kind of ware ; as a consequence, the 

 quality and finish of the articles are greatly improved. The Lambeth 

 potters used to content themselves with any kind of clay that came 

 to hand ; but now the higher kind of ware demands the clays of Devon 

 and Dorset, and a peculiar variety found near Fareham. Vessels are 

 now made of Lambeth stoneware capable of containing 300 gallons ; 

 they are formed of layer upon layer of clay, successively and carefully 

 applied, and each is hardened before the next is added. Filters for 

 domestic use now constitute a large and important department of 

 Lambeth manufactures. Drain and other pipes, condensers and worms 

 for distilling, pumps, jugs, ladles, funnels, pans, baths, jars, druggists' 

 pots, tobacco jars, telegraph-insulators these are among the large 

 number of articles made of Lambeth stoneware. There are now in 

 this district seventy kilns, with an average capacity of 501. worth of 

 ware per kiln. One firm alone, that of Messrs. Doulton, consume about 

 8000 tons of coal and 8000 tons of clay annually; for it appears 

 that, taking one kind with another, the stoneware requires about as 

 much coal to bake it as clay to make it. 



Of the commonest kinds of pottery, such as flower-pot*, Ac., nothing 

 need be said ; the cheapest clay and the quickest work suffice for 

 th'/ir pr<li. 



POTTIXG OF PLANTS. When planta are placed to grow in a 

 small earthen vessel, like a garden pot, their condition is very different 

 from that to which they are naturally exposed. The roots have not 

 liberty to extend themselves as they choose, and they are either obliged 

 to grow back upon themselves or round the vessel in which they are 

 routined; they are likewise exposed to great varieties of temperature 

 and depend on an uncertain supply of moisture. It is therefore the 

 object of the careful gardener to obviate as much as possible these 

 evils, and at the same time to secure the advantages derived from the 

 operation itself. These advantages consist mainly in the facility with 

 which it enables the gardener to change the arrangement and position 

 of his plants ; it also, by cramping the roots, diminishes the tendency 

 to form leaves, and increases the disposition to flower. It secure.s a 

 constant and effective drainage from the roots, and renders it more 

 easy to expose them to a favourable amount of bottom heat. For the 

 raising and nourishment of young seedlings it is also an advantageous 

 process. Exhaustion of the soil is one of the inconveniences which 

 result from this system. In order to remedy it liquid manure should 

 be applied ; or the plants placed in pan-feeders, shallow earthen vessels 

 containing manure, to which the roots have access through holes in 

 the bottom of the pot. It is however to a/lifting more particularly 

 that recourse should be had for renovating the soil; and this, if 

 skilfully performed without injuring the plant, is most successful. It 

 H not alone for the purpose of improving the soil that shifting is 

 desirable ; the roots if allowed to remain long in a confined space form 

 a hard knotted mass, which is very unfavourable to the retention of 

 moisture and the growth of the plant. All the earth therefore which 

 clings to the roots should be carefully separated before the plant is 

 placed in the fresh soil. The roots of a plant are always found to be 

 in contact with the sides of the pot, and this being generally composed 

 of a highly absorbent substance, is subject to great variations of 

 temperature. The practice of plunging greenhouse plants into the 

 earth during the summer to obviate this is very undesirable, as when 

 they are again taken up the roots are generally found to have taken 

 advantage of the earth around them and to have fastened themselves 

 in it. The drainage of potted plants is of great importance, and in all 

 cases a quantity of broken pieces of tiles and earthenware should be 

 placed at the bottom of the pota to prevent the stagnation of water 



about the roots. To be managed perfectly a young plant should be 

 placed in as small a pot as it will grow in, and gradually and successively 

 transferred to large pots as it advances. Dr. Lindley ('Theory, of 

 Horticulture ') says, " It is by paying constant attention to the shifting 

 of the growing plant, by the employment of a very rich stimulating 

 soil, and by a thorough knowledge of the kind of atmosphere which 

 suits them best, that have been obtained those magnificent pelar- 

 goniums, cockscombs, and balsams, &c., that have so often and so justly 

 excited the admiration of even the most experienced gardeners." 



POULTRY, from the French poulet. The term includes all the 

 domesticated birds reared for the table ; fowls, turkeys, geese, ducks, 

 and Guinea fowls. 



F'jtdi. " The strong and ambulatorial feet of the gallinaceous birds 

 adapted to the region where they chiefly resort for their food and the 

 purposes of incubation ; their toes and nails peculiarly formed for 

 scratching up the grains and seeds which constitute the main part of 

 their subsistence ; their short wings and the weakness of their pectoral 

 muscles, which cause the heaviness of their flight, a deficiency which is 

 counterbalanced by the strength of those muscles of the thighs and 

 legs that contribute to their powers of running ; their gregarious, and, 

 generally speaking, polygamous habits : the ease with which they are 

 domesticated ; their wholesome flesh ; together with many striking 

 peculiarities in their anatomy, serve equally to distinguish them." 

 (Vigors, ' Linnean Transactions,' p. 402.) 



Some foreign varieties have not even the rudiment of a tail, while 

 others are distinguished by it. The game cock, which is probably a 

 native of India, though for many centuries established in England, has 

 an unusual length of spur, his natural weapon of combat. The flesh of 

 this variety is delicately white and of the finest flavour, the plumage 

 brilliant, and the form symmetrical ; but from their pugnacious temper 

 there is great difficulty in rearing even those of the same brood ; and 

 for companionship with the general inmates of the fowl-yard they are 

 very exceptionable for the same cause. So pugnacious however are 

 the males of almost every variety, that they will spur even before their 

 spurs are grown. For the natural history and peculiarities of the 

 various varieties, we refer to PHASIAMD.S, Gal/us, in NAT. HIST. Div. : 

 we shall merely notice in this place the kinds suited to the purposes 

 of the farmer. 



The beat breed of the gallinaceous fowls is the produce of the 

 Dorking (Surrey) cock and the common dunghill fowl. This cross is 

 larger and plumper, and more hardy than the pure Dorking, without 

 losing delicacy of flavour or whiteness of flesh. 



The characteristics of the pure Dorking are, that it is white-feathered, 

 short-legged, large-bodied, and a fair layer. The peculiarity of this 

 established variety, which has frequently five claws perfectly articulated 

 (with sometimes a sixth springing laterally from the fifth, but always 

 imperfect), is well known. The crossing with the Sussex fowl has 

 however greatly diminished the monstrosity in the Surrey pentadactylus 

 variety. But though the true Dorking, which is white, is much 

 esteemed, that colour is rare, and prized for the ornament of the 

 poultry-yard : speckled colours are most generally seen with the 

 higgler. 



The Poland breed, which is black-feathered, with white topknots, 

 lays well, and is highly desirable where the production of eggs for the 

 table is the principal object ; but they seldom sit, though they cannot 

 be considered long-legged. 



The Chittagong, or Malay, which is a very large Indian variety, is 

 generally long-legged, with yellow body and coarse yellow flesh. 

 Fanciers used to like them for their fine appearance and their large 

 eggs ; but as their long legs incapacitate them from steady sitting, they 

 are not general favourites. One of our practical acquaintances recom- 

 mends the male produce of the Poland and Chittagong as a good cross 

 with the common dunghill hen, as their progeny will sit. 



The Cochin China fowl, brown or buff coloured, is a large shorter- 

 legged bird, a constant layer, and brought largely into use of late years : 

 its eggs are small. The Spanish or black fowl is also a constant layer 

 of large eggs. The following on the characteristics of poultry is from 

 the pen of a writer in a journal which has now ceased to exist, the 

 ' Poultry Chronicle : ' 



1. Qame Puwlt. Elegant and compact in appearance, hardy in con- 

 stitution, excellent caterers for themselves, good layers of delicious 

 eggs, excellent mothers and rearers of progeny, chickens unsurpassed 

 in flavour when dressed. The sole drawback to this prince of breeds is 

 their disposition to fight ; but I cannot say that this amounts to much, 

 as during the time I kept them, I lost but four or five chickens from 

 this cause. 



2. Spanidi. Noble birds, abundant layers of very large eggs, may 

 be kept in confined spaces more readily than other breeds, no mothers, 

 but the chickens hardy, only wanting extra attention at about a month 

 to six weeks old when feathering, good table-bird should be well kept. 



3. Dorking. Genuine old English fowl, somewhat delicate in con- 

 stitution, and seems to thrive most on warm and dry soils ; eggs largo 

 and well-flavoured, but not abundant, fair mothers, chickens not so 

 easy to rear as other breeds, splendid table-fowl where a large plump 

 bird is preferred, wants liberal keep and warm housing. 



4. Quid and Silver Prm-ill'il //x,',/y/.i. Kxtremely elegant in ap- 

 pearance, forage well for their living, but require more feeding than 

 the game fowl lay abundantly, but small eggs ; never incubate, or 



