266 Hcrticultural Implements, Appliances, etc. 



quarters of an inch at the most. The same operation is repeated 

 until the mat is finished. The machine described has been at 

 work for the last twenty years in our nursery, at Paris, and is 

 yet as good as new. An ordinary workman may make daily from 

 thirty to forty yards run of these straw mats with it." Wherever 

 frames and pits have to be covered, the adoption of these mats 

 would effect a considerable saving, and be productive of much satis- 

 faction to the cultivator. 



All new or strange things of this sort are adopted slowly by 

 horticulturists ; but that they would immediately adopt this, if they 

 had an opportunity of seeing it in working order, I have no doubt ; 

 and I hope yet to see it in general use in British gardens. In 

 France it is found so useful that it is employed for many purposes 

 besides that of covering frames, and they even make a very effective 

 temporary coping for walls of it in some cases. I doubt very much 

 if anything I can say for these mats will give the gardener a full 

 idea of their utility. In all gardens where men are regularly em- 

 ployed they may be made during bad weather in winter ; and as 

 there is often a difficulty about procuring enough of useful indoor 

 work for men during bad weather, the making of these mats will 

 be a gain from that point of view alone. Indeed, in many country 

 places, where straw is abundant, the making of these mats will 

 cost a mere trifle. As bass-mats are now very expensive compared 

 to what they were, this matter is well worth the attention of horti- 

 culturists gisnerally. The mat is shown in use at Fig. 83, a little 

 thicker than it should be. In connexion with this subject, tlie system 

 of framing generally used in France may be alluded to. 



Frames for Forcing, &c. — ^The French market gardeners use 

 an immense quantity of frames, and it is by their aid they procure 

 most of the tender and excellent forced vegetables, &c., sent 

 to the markets in early spring. These frames are made of very 

 rough wood; are narrow — not exceeding four feet in width; and 

 arranged in close Hnes completely immersed in the lieating material. 

 The illustration will give an idea of the appearance of these beds. 



