INTRODUCTION:

• All basic equipment required for this year's course can be sorted into two distinct categories; protection and caring for plants.


• Essence of Dittany or the Antidote to Common Poisons are good to have on hand in case of a plant related injury.

PROTECTION:

• The pieces of equipment placed into the protection category includes items such as a wand, dragonhide gloves, and earmuffs.


• When participating in practical activities, wearing closed-toe shoes and an apron are strongly reccomended.


• Masks will occasionally be required when dealing with harmful fumes or scents.

CARING FOR PLANTS:

• The three essential pieces of equipment placed into the caring for plants category includes dragon dung, Mooncalf dung, and centaur tears.


• Dragon dung is quite simply the stool of any dragon and can be efficiently used as fertilizer or for compost. It is scentless and, because of the acids found in a fire-breathing dragons' stomach, can break down any material to its most natural state.


• Mooncalf dung is ideally used for the planting and caring of more sensitive or delicate plants. If the soil is lacking or deprived of vitimans and minerals, it may not be able to provide the plant with what is required for it to grow strong.


• Centaur tears are a favorite drink for most plants. It is highly vitamin-rich in comparison to water and has the ability to revive plants moments from death. However, centaur tears are toxic to plants grown in salt water.


• An arrangement has been agreed with the centaurs in which ensures they will provide a supply of tears, as long as it is solely used for the betterment of nature.

PEWTER CAULDRONS:

• Pewter cauldrons are good for beginning brewers and the primary cauldron used at Hogwarts.


• This metal has a low melting point, therefore resulting in a cauldron that is prone to melting and explosions.


• Pewter does not mix with organic material, meaning that it is easy to filter out small chunks of metal worn down at the edges of the cauldron when dealing with reactive plants.

BRASS CAULDRONS:

• This metal has a higher boiling point, placed at around 920 degrees Celsius, meaning that is is more resistant to burning plants.


• Despite this advantage, a green-blue flame will be emitted and zinc will be released into the air upon any circumstance in which plant material becomes stuck to a brass cauldron.

COPPER CAULDRONS:

• Copper metal is completely recyclable and has a particularly high melting point, at 1085 degrees Celsius, meaning that it is just as resistant to burning plants as a brass cauldron.


• Additionally, copper cauldrons have the ability to efficiently handle particular plants within the reactive class.

SILVER CAULDRONS:

• Due to silvers' ability to be used alongside specific phases of the Moon to amplify properties, these types of cauldrons are ideal regarding the brewing of nocturnal plants.


• Silver cauldrons have a slighlty lower melting point than brass, placing between 780 and 962 degrees Celsius.


• This metal is prone to explosions when dealing with particularly reactive plants.

GOLD CAULDRONS:

• This metal interacts well with all plants and has an extremely high melting point, at 1064 degrees Celsius.


• However, heavily discounted cauldrons commonly include pyrite or “fool’s gold.” Pyrite has a higher melting point than gold (1100 degrees Celsius), but reacts with plants, heat, and water.