UTXXSILS USED IN HORTICULTURE. 



101 



wooden box is much better, as being less porous) ; others with a large 



hole in the side for the same purpose ; some with concave bottoms, 



with the intention of putting the water-hole out of 



the reach of worms (figs. 61 and 62) ; others (fig. 



63) with grooves in the bottom to prevent the re- 

 tention of water by the attraction of cohesion, when 



the pot stands on a flat surface ; and there are pots 



fixed within pots, so that the space within the outer 



and the inner pot shall be water-tight, in order to 



contain water or moist moss, so as to keep the soil 



in the inner pot in comparatively uniform moisture 



and temperature. There are pots made in two 



parts (fig. 64), the lower serving as an ornamental 



base so as to give the pot a somewhat classical 



character and at the same time as a receptacle 



for the water that drains through the pot. Pots 



are also made with rims pierced with holes, so as 



to construct on them, a frame of wire-work for 



training climbers, as in fig. 65. There is also 



what is called a blanching-pot (fig. 66), which is 

 placed over plants of sea-kale, rhubarb, 

 Fig. 66. & c>) for blanching them, having a move- 

 able top, which can be taken off at 

 pleasure, to admit light or to gather the 

 produce. Boxes of boards, however, 

 are found more economical. There are 

 also square-made pots, which, it is al- 

 leged, by filling up the angles left by 

 round pots, allow of a greater quantity 

 of room being obtained in a given space 

 in beds or shelves under glass; and 

 pots with one side flattened, and with a 



pierced ear or handle, to admit of hang- , .. . 



, f ' Pot with pierced nms 



ing the pot against a wall or a trunk or a tree ; and j a7M / 5 y^ i n . 



and pots for orchids, for succulents, and hanging troducing vnre-work. 

 plants, made of all shapes and designs, and 

 pierced with holes all over for the escape of the roots or shoots into 

 the air. Many other fanciful pots might have been figured and de- 

 scribed ; but in the general practice of gardening all these peculiar 

 pots may be dispensed with ; and, in truth, with the exception of the 

 last forms, they are only found in the gardens of some amateurs. It 

 is useful, however, to know what has been done or attempted in this 

 way, in order to prevent a waste of time in repeating similar contri- 

 vances. 



For ornamental purposes, pans of terra cotta, stone, marble, china, 

 or iron are rapidly superseding common pots. And for common pur- 

 poses, such as the storage of the thousands of plants required in the 

 flower-garden, wooden boxes a foot wide, two feet long, and four inches 

 deep, are largely used. 



