Plant shades

1859. Shades are of three species. The plant-umbrella resembles the domestic instrument of that name; but, instead of the ordinary handle, has a pointed rod, shod with iron, for insertion in the ground. It is used for shading tender plants from the sun, or sheltering them from the rain. For both purposes it is convenient to have a joint in the stem, so as to incline the cover according to the situation of the sun and the direction of the rain. It is much used in the Paris garden, and at Monza, in Lombardy.