Book III. 



ARTICLES OF ADAPTATION. 



295 



218 



proved it was in operation on a hot-house in Colvill's nursery, King's-road, during 

 the summer of 1819. In both cases the success was perfect and undisputed. The 

 price of the alarum-thermometer is from two to three guineas ; and of the regulator, from 

 six to ten pounds complete. These machines were exhibited to Sir Joseph Banks and 

 to the Horticultural Society. But the president and other individuals of this body 

 thought such a machine not "wanted in gardening. We cannot but regret, however, that 

 some mark of approbation was not bestowed on the author of so ingenious an attempt to 

 render a service to our art, and who, like other inventors, had devoted a great part of his 

 time, and the greater part of his fortune, to bringing the invention to its present state. 

 We are glad to see that it has been noticed by the Caledonian Horticultural Society 

 (Mmm. vol. iii. p. 170.), and we trust the inventor may yet obtain, at least, credit for his 

 genius in mechanics. 



Sect. V. Various Articles used in Gardening Operations. 



1491. The objects used in gardening, which can neither be denominated implements nor 

 machines, may be classed as adapted articles, manufactured articles, and prepared articles. 



Subsect. 1. Articles of Adaptation. 



1492. Of articles fitted for particular situations or objects, we shall notice the temporary 

 coping, horizontal shelter, moveable edgings, basket-edgings, and a few others. 



1493. The temporary cojnng is commonly a board, or two or more boards joined, so 

 as to form a breadth of eighteen inches or two feet. To these boards hinges are attached, 

 which fit into irons on the front upper edge of the permanent coping of the wall ; and 

 thus, by means of a rod or a cord and pulley, the board is either made to project over 

 the front of the wall, or is laid flat on the top of the permanent coping. 



1494. The horizontal shelter is a board of eighteen inches broad, and of any convenient 

 length. By means of iron pins inserted in the wall, a number of such are placed hori- 

 zontally, like shelves, about the middle and top of fruit-walls, to protect the blossom 

 from perpendicular colds and frosts ; they were first recommended by Lawrence, but 

 are now seldom used. 



1 495. The netting screen (Jig. 218.) 

 " consists of two deal poles, on 

 which is nailed a common fish- 

 ing-net previously dipped in a 

 tanner's bark-pit, to prevent its 

 being mildewed when rolled up 

 wet. At the top, the ends of the 

 poles fit into double iron loops, pro- 

 jecting a few inches from the wall, 

 immediately under the coping ; and 

 at the bottom they are fixed by a 

 hole at the end of each pole upon 

 a forked iron coupling, which pro- 

 jects about fourteen inches from the 

 wall, thereby giving the screen a 

 sufficient inclination to clear the 

 branches. When it is wished to 

 uncover the trees, one of the poles 

 is disengaged and rolled back to 

 the side of the other, where it is 



fastened as before. The most violent winds have no injurious effects upon shades 

 of this kind ; a wall is very expeditiously covered and uncovered, and there is not 

 any danger of damaging the blossoms in using them ; they occupy very little space 

 when rolled up, are not liable to be out of order, and although rather expensive at first, 

 seem to be very durable. From the facility with which the screen is put up, it may be 

 beneficially used in the seasons when fruit ripens, to secure a succession, by retarding 

 the crop of any particular tree. The lower ends of the poles are advantageously retained 

 in their places, by means of a small iron spring-key attached to the coupling by a short 

 chain." (Hort. Trans, vol. iv.) Canvass, oil-cloth, or gauze screens, may be similarly 

 formed and fixed. 



1496. The canvass screen is a sheet of canvass in a moveable frame, to be placed against 

 blossoming wall-trees during nights, and removed during temperate weather. Bunting, 

 rendered more transparent by oiling, is considered by Nicol as preferable to canvass. 

 Others recommend Osnaburgh or Scotch gauze. The screens should have hooks, to 

 hook into projecting eyes at the top of the wall, from which, as well as at bottom, they 

 should be kept distant one or two feet. " Canvass screens in frames may be fitted to 

 move in the manner of a common sasli, between rafters, and may be double, as in a 



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