206 
ZINC FOR HORTICULTURAL PURPOSES. 
hastened by planting the tubers beside a conservative wall, where the youn 
shoots would be protected from frosts, and encouraged to spring sooner, and gro' 
somewhat more rapidly than in the exposed border. 
It produces seed, though not so freely as some of the species ; sufficiently si! 
however, to render it highly probable that varieties of an improved characte 
perhaps double ones, might be reared from it. Crimson streaks, or a ricla 
ground colour might probably be obtained by cross-fertilising with such as tl 
atrosanguinea variety of T. majus^ or the brilliant scarlet T. Lohhianum recent! 
introduced by Messrs. Yeitch and Sons, of Exeter. This is a process we like t 
keep attention fixed upon ; for, magnificent as some of its results have alread 
proved, we believe that a vast deal more may be effected by perseverance with 
judicious selection of subjects, than anything which its influence has yet producer 
— ■ ^ 
ZINC FOR HORTICULTURAL PURPOSES. | 
In conjunction with a good system of treating plants, there are some othij 
points to which it is at times useful to draw attention ; amongst which we at presei 
fasten upon that of perfecting economy, neatness, and general efficiency of tl 
different apparatus employed in a garden. Many substances have of late yea 
been made available for a variety of purposes in gardening, by which the open 
tions of the culturist have been much facilitated, and the general aspect of tl 
garden improved. We have before spoken of slate, and now bring forward anotlii 
substance — zinc, which has been found useful in several ways, and appears to I 
possessed of sufficient merit to warrant a short notice. ' 
The material being light and free from corrosion, it is more eligible for man! 
purposes than either iron, lead, or tin-plate. It appears to be well suited for tl! 
manufacture of watering-pots, and similar utensils in every-day requisition. It 
of course somewhat heavier than tin-plate, but this is so trifling in an ordinar} 
sized watering-pot, as to be a matter of little consequence. The primitive cost alSj 
is greater ; this, however, is more than balanced by the greater length of time i 
will last, and by there being no necessity to use paint, which is quite indispensab| 
with tin. Besides, even when every precaution has been observed against it, it | 
almost impossible to keep a tin watering-pot from corroding, and hence requiriDj 
frequent repairs. Roses to fit them may also be made of zinc, as they are noj 
usually made of tin ; but we prefer having the perforated part of a rose of coppij 
or brass, and made loose, to screw into a socket of the same material fastened upol 
a zinc or tin shank. With this contrivance, whatever impurities exist in tlj 
water may be prevented from materially obstructing its passage through the perf( 
rations, by occasionally unscrewing the end and cleaning it out. It is of soir 
importance in economising time, for it would occupy more time to force wat( 
