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the upturned gutters. Flower pots and utensils for holding liquids are 
very simply made by sawing apart the joints. For light trellises and 
open sheds bamboo posts, poles, and rafters have no equal. 
The proper manipulation of bamboo in constructive work is of course 
unfamiliar to our people, but is easily learned and would soon be 
acquired if the material was fairly abundant. There is also much to be 
learned as to the proper methods of curing and seasoning the timber. 
If cut too young or in the growing season the tubular stems check or 
split, which destroys their value for holding lquids and somewhat 
impairs their strength. In Florida the proper season to cut bamboo is 
during the winter before growth begins. In the West Indies, where 
there is less winter rest, it 1s said bamboo will not check if cut ‘in the 
dark of the moon.” Water seasoning is practiced by the Chinese and 
Japanese, but it will not avail with young or sappy stalks in Florida, 
at least. 
Bambusa vulgaris will stand 8° or 10° of frost in Florida, if of short 
duration, and is certainly destined to become more hardy with time. 
The stalks at Crescent City, which is situated in Putnam County, and 
about the middle of the peninsula, have been cut down by cold three 
times since 1882. However, even the most disastrous frosts, like those 
of the past winter, can not materially injure the roots of well-established 
plants. 
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