What Is This Terracotta Pot?

[Nomes123]

My father in law has 2 terracotta pots that have been passed down through the family. We have no idea what they are and am hoping someone can help.
They are 12 inches high, 5 inches in diameter with just one small hole in the top and sealed everywhere else. Any ideas?

[Old_Geezer]

Doesn't sound like anything I've come across. What diameter hole ?

[Tilly2]

They sound like pots used to force rhubarb.

[Nomes123]

The hole would be slightly bigger than a pencil diameter

[Tilly2]

What shape is it, Nomes?

[SlackAlice]

Can you upload a photo to tihypic or photobucket and give us a link?

[Old_Geezer]

Perhaps it was a stand for something ?

Fill with sand, stick a flag in the top.

[themorrigan]

it could be for watering plants in a self-watering tray. You put the plants in a tray with an inch of water in the bottom and place the terracotta pot in the middle filled with water, the water oozes out of the pot gradually, keeping the surrounding plants watered. Used if you have to go on holiday and leave your houseplants for a couple of weeks.

[Nomes123]

It is the same size as a toilet brush cylinder holder

[themorrigan]

Olla Irrigation: burying a terracotta pot beside a plant and filling it with water through a small hole in the top.
http://www.globalbuckets.org/p/olla-irrigation-clay-pot-system.html

[Old_Geezer]

Ah probably it then :-)

[Nomes123]

Yes this is exactly what it is thank you! One happy father in law!