100 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



of the saucer, and when thoroughly dried out the basin may 

 be filled with sand and wood soil, two [)arts to one respectively, 

 finishing- the surface so that the center is four inches lower 

 than the sides. Since this level is yet about a foot below the 

 ground line an arrangement of planking like a hot bed frame 

 should be built to hold the adjoining soil and keep out sur- 

 face water. With such a wooden coping the southern plant 

 life can be proiected by three hot bed sashes in winter, and 

 lath screens be applied in verv liot midsummer weather or on 

 occasion of damaging windstorms. 



In applying the l)ark extract, our plan is to si)rinkle once a 

 week or oftener at the start, using one half pint of the extract 

 diluted in ten or twelve gallons of water. If this quantity 

 of extract is mixed in two quarts of tepid water first, a bet- 

 ter suspension is obtained. Other waterings may be with 

 the garden hose — the bog is never expected to maintain stand- 

 ing water, but must always be thoroughly moist. 



From its concave surface most moisture will accumulate 

 at the center of the bog, and here sundews, pitcher plants, etc., 

 should be placed, while the sides can support the drier types. 

 Of course water that is decidedly limey should be avoided and 

 no fertilizers countenanced. The earthworms will soon be- 

 come established and help build up humus, and in transplant- 

 ing, the introduced plants should have plenty of soil about 

 their roots, thus bringing in bacteria that thrive where tannin 

 abounds. 



As to adapfable plants, the list is large. Due to restricted 

 area, small and low-growing ones must be used and if in ad- 

 dition to a botanical experiment the artistic possibilities be 

 considered, the Orchidaceae at once suggest themselves. The 

 more adaptable of these like Cypripedium parviflorum may 



