BOOK III. 



IMPLEMENTS OF GARDENING. 



385 



dries the earth within sooner. Glazed or stone-ware pots are not congenial, but retain 

 moisture a long time. 



1412. Tke plant-box (figs. 177, 178, & 179.) is a substitute for a large pot; it is of a 

 cubical figure, and generally formed of wood, though in some cases the frame is formed of 

 cast-iron, and the sides of slates cut to fit, and moveable at pleasure. Such boxes 

 are chiefly used for orange-trees. The construction of those of Versailles is generally 



pfSL 



177 



178 



approved. Two of the opposite sides are fixed, the other two are moveable, but kept in 

 their places by a couple of iron bars with hinges, which are fastened on one side, and on 

 the other are hooks to catch in (Jig. 177.), that the state of the roots may be readily ex- 

 amined, the old earth taken out, and fresh put in at pleasure. Another material advan- 

 tage gained in these boxes is, that the plants may be shifted by sliding them into others. 



1413. The plant-tub (Jig. 180.) is a circular utensil formed by the cooper for the 

 same purpose as the plant-box. In shifting, the box is unhooped, and when the old 

 earth is removed it is refitted on the same or a new bottom by the cooper. v 



1414. The garden watering-pot is of different species. The common watering-pot is a 

 tinned iron or copper vessel, used for conveying water to plants. There are several 

 varieties ; but the principal are, 1st, the common large pot, with two roses of different 

 sizes, the one pierced with small, and the other with large holes ; 2d, the long 

 spouted pot, for watering plants in pots, at a small distance, either with or without a 

 rose ; and, 3d, the shelf watering-pot, which is a small cartouche-shaped pot for watering 

 plants on shelves, or the back part of stoves, close under the glass, consequently above 

 the eye of the gardener. 



1415. The French watering-pots (Jigs. 181, 182, & 183.) are generally formed of 

 copper, and some (fig. 183.) have zig-zag spouts, to break the force of the water when 

 pouring it on plants without the use of the rose. 



180 



184 



181 



182 



183 



1416. The Italian watering-pot is formed of earthenware in shapes similar to the 

 French. 



1417. The watering-tube (fig. 184.) is a tin tube with a funnel joined to it at right 

 angles at one end, and with or without a rose joined to it in an opposite direction at tne 

 other. It is used for watering pines, and other potted plants in pits or beds, not easily 

 reached, and where it is desirable not to moisten the leaves. 



1418. The garden-syringe is of different species : the common is made of tinned iron, 

 copper, or brass, generally about two feet in length, and two inches in diameter. 



1419. Read's syringe (fig. 185.) is by far -the best implement of the kind. By means 

 of a ball valve (rf), which can never go out of repair, the water is drawn in through 

 a large opening, and forced out either through a fine rose (e], a larger rose (6), or in 

 one spout (a), each forming a separate cap, which screws off and on. In common 

 syringes the air above the piston proves an obstacle to the operation of the syringe, and 

 greatly increases the labor of the operator ; but in Read's syringe there is a tube (f) 

 by which this air escapes in the operation of drawing in water, and the space is as readily 

 replaced with air through the same aperture in pressing the water out again. It isi 



