THE FLORIST. 239 



tions ; but for the purposes of general effect a very simple contriv- 

 ance will be found to answer. I have known a great share of admi- 

 ration given to a very simple one indeed : an old water-butt was 

 sawn in two about a foot from the bottom, and the sides covered 

 with the bark of the ash-tree ; it was placed merely pro tempore upon 

 the stump of a large Portugal Laurel which stood upon my lawn and 

 wanted removing, age having quite robbed it of its beauty. " The 

 cheerful spring came kindly on," the stump sent out its bright green 

 leaves ; and I was really reminded of the old story of the origin of the 

 Corinthian capital: the Grecian girl had carelessly put down her 

 basket and covered it with a tile ; a plant of Acanthus growing near 

 had shot up around it ; and Callimachus, struck with the beauty of the 

 combination, caught from it one of the most elegant of architectural 

 decorations. There was my old tub with a wreath of laurel most 

 gracefully twining round it ; and so it has continued from year to 

 year. By just thinning the twigs, we keep the laurel within bounds ; 

 and as I sit in my garden-chair admiring the bouquet of gay flowers 

 springing up from its evergreen vase, I say with our great Lake poet : 



" Less vivid wreath entwined 

 Nemean victor's brow, less bright was worn 

 Meed of some Roman chief in triumph borne 

 With captives chain'd, and shedding from his car 

 The sunset splendours of a finish 'd war 

 Upon the proud enslavers of mankind." 



Old pollard-trees, of themselves, make beautiful receptacles for 

 flowers; and an octagonal box of about 5 feet diameter and 14 

 inches deep, the outside covered with small pieces of split larch in 

 various patterns, makes a stand of very good proportions. It should 

 be made of inch deal, and the bottom should be perforated, to afford 

 good drainage. 



If the above desultory hints should draw out some more active 

 correspondents, who will furnish The Florist with descriptions and 

 designs for increasing the beauty of our gardens, it will amply 

 reward your old contributor, 



The Sedentary Man. 



A RUSTIC CHAIR FOR THE SEDENTARY MAN, I! V W. 1.. 



