A dictionary of modern gardening - University Library

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FLO 230 FLO
prevent the plants suffering from want
of moisture ; and
Fig. 47. when empty, the
roots will be preserved
from being
killed by evaporation.
But surely
applying the water
to the sides will be
an extra inducement
for the roots
to gather there, an effect most desirable
to avoid, and wetting the outsides
of the pot is a very doubtful mode of
preventing the reduction of temperature.
Saul's Fountain
Fig. 48. Flower Pot (Fig.
4S), seems open
to the same objections,
with the additionaldisadvantages
of not being
easily drained, and
being more expensive
and cumbersome.
The water also is forced in at
the bottom of the pot, contrary to the
course of nature in applying moisture to
plants. " An outer basin is made on the
bottom of the pot, to which the water
enters at a, and is carried round the pot in
the basin, there being two or three holes
through tlie pot's bottom bbb. By these
means the water is drawn up from the
basin by the roots of the plants (!) or,
if it should be desirable to prevent it
from being drawn up, the exterior orifices
of the holes, which open into the
basin or saucer, may be closed (!)
The
fountain is supplied with water by taking
out the stopper c, the entrance into the
basin at a, being at that moment closed ;
and as soon as the water runs over at c,
the cork or stopper is put in, and the
stopper at a removed." Card. Mag.
March, 1843, 136.
Mr. Stephens' Flower Pot (Fig. 49)
is intended to supply
Fig. 49. water to the plant
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tor of the Plymouth Fig. 50.
Nursery, proposed
to improve the drainage
of pots, by elevating
and piercing
their bottoms. This,
and Mr. Brown's,
suggested to me that
of which Fig. 50 is
a section.
It is merely two pots, one fitting
within another, having its bottom indented
and pierced as proposed by
Mr. Rendle, but not touching the outer
pot by half an inch all round. This
is a most effectual form to secure drainage,
and to prevent the evaporation from
the sides of the inner pot, the intervening
stratum of confined air being a bad
conductor of heat. It has the merit
too of cheapness. JohnsoWs Gardener''s
FLOWER STAGES are made for the
exhibition of flowers at shows, in the
green-house, and elsewhere. The following
are some very judicious observations
on the subject: — "The first
object in the construction of stages
should be to have them so constructed
and situated as to afford facilities for
grouping plants ; the second should be
to give plants more the appearance of
growing in borders, than upon artificial
structures; and the third to keep the
pot out of sight. This is requisite for
two reasons; first, because they are no
ornament, and secondly, that it is always
desirable to protect the plant from being
scorched by exposure to the sun. It is
also desirable to adopt another mode of
construction, for the purpose of giving
plants that aspect which is most suited
to their habits; and therefore, instead of
placing the stages from the front to the
back of the house, as is generally the
case, I would place them in groups of
stages, thus producing an effect similar
to the borders in a well-arranged flower
garden.
"The spectators in their progress
where it is most from group to group would be attracted
wanted, and to pro- by the separate display in each, instead
of having their attention drawn away by
time from slugs and a whole blaze of beauty at once,
other creeping in-! "The accompanying drawings (Fig.
sects, which will not 51) represent the manner in which I
pass over the water propose that such stages as have been
between the two described should be constructed and
rims. Ibid.
placed in any floricultural building. The
Mr. Rendle, the intelligent proprie- ground plan represents part of the floor
tect it at the same :