554< 



Cast-Iron Flower Stakes. 



107 



employed in it, we leave to be determined by 

 local circumstances. We have shown the 

 roof and the chimney-tops low, because it is sel- 

 dom desirable to render houses in such situ- 

 ations conspicuous objects ; but should this be 

 not the case, handsome chimney-pots of arti- 

 ficial or natural stone, such as Jigs. 105, 

 106, or 107., may be added, with or with- 

 out basement plinths. These, and numerous 

 other handsome forms of chimney-pots, are 

 manufactured in London by Austin, at very 

 moderate prices ; and they might be imitated, 

 either in real stone, or in earthenware, at any 

 good pottery. 



Art. X. Notice of some new Cast-Iron Flower Stakes, and some 

 small Wrought-Iron Stakes for Peas or Annuals, invented by 

 Robert Mallet, Jun. Esq. Communicated by Mr. Mallet. 



Sir, 

 Some days since, I sent you some patterns of flower stakes, 

 which I have lately got made, and of which, I believe, I am 

 the first inventor. The cast-iron ones (Jig. 110.) are, I think, 

 an improvement upon Cottam andHallen's (which were figured 

 in Vol. VII. p. 284.), as they can be cast much longer than is 

 possible with theirs (the weights of both being equal), and they 

 combine great strength with lightness. They take also a good 

 grip or hold of the earth, from their extended wings at bottom. 

 I sent also a small wrought-iron pea or annual stake 

 chiefly intended for culinary or sweet peas, either in hedges or 

 clumps. Figs. 108. and 109. will fully explain 

 their application with the addition of wires. 

 Fig. 109, is intended to represent part of a 

 sweet-pea hedge. Each stake is twisted cold 

 at «, 90° ; by which means, it opposes its flat 

 face to the earth in which it is stuck (a d), 

 and in the proper position to resist any 

 motion of the hedge sidewise. The con- 

 necting cords may be either of wire or twine ; 

 when they are for sweet peas to be sown 

 every season, they may be permanent, and 

 of wire ; but when they are to be moved 

 they should be of twine, boiled, previously to being strained, 

 in a solution of Indian rubber in pyroligneous ether (a 



