' It is said, that 'these appliances,
which may be attached to a pair of bellows for little more than
sixpence, answer every purpose for which they are intended, equally as
well as a more expensive machine.'
At the same time with this contrivance, some bunches of black Prince
Grapes were shewn to the assembled horticulturists, which could only
be preserved from mildew by frequent applications of sulphur. The
bunches are to be afterwards cleaned by dipping in water, or what is
considered preferable, 'syringing on all sides with a fine syringe,'
which process, it is well to remember, disturbs the _bloom_ on the
fruit least when directed 'downwards, or obliquely, as rain would
fall.'
As the season for gardening operations is coming on, Mr Rivers'
account may be mentioned of his mode of growing strawberries in pots;
it will be found to involve certain combinations opposed to ordinary
practice. 'About the second week in July,' he says, he filled a number
of six-inch pots 'with a compost of two-thirds loam, and one-third
rotten dung, as follows: three stout pieces of broken pots were placed
in the bottom, and a full handful of the compost put in; a stout
wooden pestle was then used with all the force of a man's arm to pound
it, then another handful and a pounding, and another, till the pot was
brimful, and the compressed mould as hard as a barn-floor.
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