84 



A ^Ietal Plant Bucket. 



[Apr., 



of pure zinc and is practically indestructible. A special feature 

 is a false or moveable bottom with a single hole underneath 

 for drainage. 



The chief reason for the superiority of the bucket over clay 

 pots is that considerably less watering is required. This makes 

 for the maintenance of a more equable root temperature espe- 

 cially during periods of rapid evaporation. The saving of labour 

 in w^atering is also considerable. Its advantage over clay pots 

 in the matter of breakage is obvious. 



The disadvantage of the appliance is its cost. It is patented 

 and at the moment is manufactured in a spasmodic way without 

 special plant at a cost of 2s. lOd. each. The patentee has found, 

 however, that while it is extremely desirable to cheapen the 

 bucket, the present cost is not prohibitive for the purpose for 

 W'hich it is used. 



One of the most striking purposes for which the plant bucket 

 is employed at Hassocks is the cultivation of high quality dessert 

 pears under glass. The method follow^ed is very simple. Cordon 

 pear trees of choice dessert varieties are propagated on the 

 premises and permitted to attain a bearing age outside. They 

 are then lifted, planted in the plant bucket and brought into 

 the houses. At the conclusion of the fruiting period the trees 

 are taken outside again, the culture, once the trees are in the 

 buckets, being that usually accorded to orchard house trees. 

 The wTiter inspected a house of pears grown in this manner 

 and was considerably impressed with their appearance. A crop 

 of from one dozen to two dozen fruits is allow^ed to each tree 

 and these are matured without any trouble. No artificial heat 

 is employed and pests are not severe, the few caterpillars w^hich 

 appear in the spring being removed by hand-picking. 



Tomatoes are also successfully grown in the bucket and this 

 crop affords a satisfactory basis for comparison with flower pot 

 culture. In ever}" case the buckets give much better results, the 

 plants being healthier generally and yielding heavier crops of 

 fruit. The tomato plants are obviously supplied with a steadier 

 supply of w^ater in the buckets, a factor in the development of 

 fruit w^hich all growlers will appreciate. 



Chrysanthemums also exhibit a marked difference in the 

 general grow^th and quality of the bloom when grown in the 

 bucket as compared with pots. 



