298 THE FLORIST AND 



REMARKS ON THE COMPARATIVE MERITS OF POROUS AND 

 GLAZED FLOWER POTS. 



BY THE FOREMAN OF A LONDON NURSERY. 



The construction of garden pots having of late been a subject of some 

 public interest, and opinions having been advanced, which, to say the least 

 in their favor, have novelty on their side, it becomes a matter of importance 

 to watch rather closely the arguments which have been advanced in their 

 support, in order that some idea may be formed of the nature and extent of the 

 claim which they have upon the attention of the cultivator. 



As far as regards the shape and proportions which are recommended, I 

 think them the best that can be devised, whether their usefulness or elegance 

 be taken into consideration ; but as regards the other particulars of their 

 construction, I am inclined to believe, that however plausible the arguments 

 may be which are brought forward in their support, there will be many ob- 

 stacles to hinder their adoption. I do not think that the objection urged 

 against porous pots on the ground of their absorbing qualities, which would 

 afterwards prove deleterious to plants placed in them, has much force ; for, 

 supposing and allowing, as has been remarked in a previous number, viz., 

 that of the stinking roots of an Acacia, — allowing that in this instance the 

 effect would be injurious, it must at the same time be borne in mind that 

 not one in a hundred of the plants cultivated in pots impregnate those pots 

 with any unpleasant smell ; and in the case of those which are so circum- 

 stanced, if laid by for a time and exposed to the action of the weather, the 

 objection would be entirely groundless. 



The objection that the pots in common use are inelegant and unpicturesque, 

 may have some force when they are placed in situations intended as de- 

 cidedly ornamental. So far the glazed pots recommended by your corres- 

 pondent, "Londinensis," might be deemed preferable. 



He further remarks, that " as regards nursery and forcing departments, 

 where pots are little seen except by workmen, the common porous, flower- 

 pot may answer ;" so that here is a plain admission that it is not to their 

 use for the purpose of culture, but in an ornamental point of view, that he 

 objects to the use of porous pots. "For the finer ornamental plants," he 

 continues, " whose habits require compost and treatment almost as various 

 as the countries they come from, it is necessary that the pot should be as 

 clean as a drinking-cup, so as in no way to interfere by admixture of its 

 properties with the compost proper for the plant." This, although sound- 

 ing very plausible to the ear, I cannot regard as having any weight as an 



