■fOUKNAL OF HORTICULTXIRE AND COTl'AGE GABDENES. 



three other rods of the same length laid across them at right I Fiy. 5 and ./iy. 6 show the progress of weaving the bottom ; 

 angles, as at a ; and next the weaving process is commenced, the latter being what ultimately becomes the under side, and 

 as at b. I the former the upper side. 



6. — Under bide. 



Fio- 7 shows the bottom complete, the under side of it being I some of the radiating ribs cut off, some of the rods which are 

 uppermost. to form the side ribs inserted, and the side weaving com- 



Fig. 8 shows the bottom turned upside down, the points of \ menced. 



Ftg. shows the basket nearly completed, with part of the I Fig. 10 shows the rim completed and part of the handle 

 rim finished, and the rod on which the handle is to be formed plaited, 

 inserted. 



OPUNTIA EAFFINESQUIANA AND 0. HUJIILE. 



These two plants are admii-ably adapted for rockeries ; 

 their thoroughly distinct forms and large gay flowers render 

 them vei-y attractive, and as they are as hardy as they are 

 beautiful, and so cheap, they are within the compass of even 

 the smallest amateur gardener's means. I confess having 

 given expression to many doubts respecting their hartliness 

 when the first of these species was shown and recommended 

 me, for I had considerable experience of the class to which 

 they belong, and well knew their Uability to decay and melt 



I away when surrounded by a superabundance of water. I could 

 not imagine any member of the genus Opuntia being able to 

 withstand the incessant changes of our climate, in which the 



I frost of to-day is succeeded by the rain of to-morrow, and_ so 

 on, during our protracted winters, wliich usually are so trying 

 to exotic vegetation. StUl, as faith in then- hardiness gained 

 ground, I determined to try the first-named plant, when the 

 friend to whom I applied told me he had two species perfectly 

 hardy — namely, 0. Haffiuesijuiaua and 0. hiinule, the former 



