Haws watering cans . history and how to achieve a good spray

How John Haws got it right from the start ...

One hundred years ago in 1886 founder John Haws of Clapton, London obtained a patent for an improved watering pot. The first patent read:

'This new invention forms a watering pot that is much easier to carry and tip, and at the same time being much cleaner, and more adapted for use than any other put before the public.'

John Haws first worked out his improved design and method of manufacture from a French made waterpot (or can as they are now called) and designed a can with perfect balance. Whether full, half full or empty the can could be used without undue strain to the operator. To this day, the original design has not been altered in any major way.

As watering was all done by hand in those days, there was a clear need for a good range of watering cans and the new Haws' models found a ready market. Sales were buoyant both to the large glasshouse nurseries being established around London and the large provincial cities, and to professional gardeners on the landed estates flourishing throughout Great Britain.

When John Haws' descendant Arthur Haws took over the management of the business in the early 1900's he faced stiff competition from companies imitating the Haws design. To meet it he spent a good deal of time perfecting the design of the spray roses, both oval and round, such that they were suitable for watering newly sown seeds, delicate seedlings and small plants. This feature of Haws cans also remains as important now as it was then.

Today, Haws' comprehensive range of watering cans continues to offer new innovations (pot watering attachments and parking points for roses are recent examples) as well as utilising the many excellent design features of the original models.

How to achieve a good spray from your watering can rose ...

It's all to do with keeping up the pressure! - especially when using an oval-shaped rose with the perforated brass plate facing upwards.

Used correctly in this manner the oval rose will give a gentle spray, which is perfect for seedlings. As you begin to spray, gradually increase the angle of the can to the surface being watered so that sufficient water pressure is maintained to force water out of the fine holes in the brass spray plate.
If there is not enough pressure, water begins to run across the brass face instead of being sprayed out from it. Gradually this results in water streaming off the end of the rose, giving the impression that the rose is leaking.
Good watering cans - like Haws - are provided with a tall neck to prevent water spilling out when the can is held at a steep angle.A good tip when watering precious seedlings is to 'get a good spray going' before moving in to spray the seedlings - and to withdraw from spraying as soon as the spray starts to fail, which will happen as the can begins to empty. Top up the can and restart.
For heavier spraying over a more limited area, the oval rose may be fitted to the can with the perforated brass face pointing towards the ground.
If your rose appears not to be working properly follow this checklist.
1. First be sure whether the fault lies with the rose or the can. Do this by checking that the can pours properly without the rose fitted. If the can does not pour properly - you will probably find that the spout is blocked - possibly with leaves - or even a snail!. Hold the can up to the light and look down the spout to check that it is clear. If it isn't use a cane, knitting needle or similar to clear the blockage.
2. Assuming the can is ok the fault must be with the rose - here again there may be a leaf or other material inside it causing a blockage. If so remove by flushing water into the rose through the brass face - ideally under pressure from a tap or hose. You can check whether the holes are clear in the brass face by looking into the rose from its spout. Another option is blasting through the holes in the brass face with an airline at your local garage.
3. If this doesn't solve the problem, decide whether the holes are generally blocked - either by green algae build up - or by limescale. If it is algae build up, soak the rose in a mild solution bleach - being careful to remove all traces of bleach before using it again. If it is limescale, soak in a biodegradable kettle descaler.