16 RUSTIC STAGES. 



turesque appearance of the garden. Old barrels 

 cut in half, tubs, pails, &c., neatly painted outside, 

 or adorned with rural ornaments, and raised upon 

 feet neatly carved, or mounds of earth, stand in 

 lieu of richer materials, such as vases, parapet 

 walls, aud other expensive devices, which orna- 

 ment the gardens of the wealthy. I have seen 

 these humble materials shaped into forms as pleas- 

 ing to the eye, and even more consonant to our 

 damp climate, than marble vases. They never 

 look green from time, and are renewed at a very 

 trifling expense. A few pounds of nails and the 

 unbarked thinnings from fir plantations, are the 

 sole requisites towads forming any device which a 

 tasteful fancy can dictate ; and a little green paint 

 adds beauty and durability when the bark falls 

 from the wood it protects. I have seen fir balls 

 nailed on to these forms in tasteful patterns ; and 

 creepers being allowed to fall gracefully over the 

 brims, give a remarkably pleasing and varied ap- 

 pearance to the parterre. 



Where mould is not easily to be procured — as, 

 for instance, in towns — the tubs or receptacles 

 may be half filled with any kind of rubble only 

 space must be left to allow of two feet of fine 

 mould at the top, which is quite sufficient for bulb- 

 ous roots and creepers, &c. These receptacles have 

 one powerful advantage over ground plots : they 

 can be moved under sheds, or into outhouses, 

 during the heavy rains or frosts of winter ; and 

 thereby enable a lady to preserve the more deUcate 

 flowers, which would deteriorate by constant ex- 

 posure to inclement w^eather. 



A lady requires peculiar tools for her light work. 

 She should possess a light spade ; two rakes, one 



