I () 2 WfNV O W aARDENIKG . 



lor, because they need 

 a good watering two or 

 three times a week, and 

 will drip more or less 

 constantly. 



A very queer Hang- 

 ing Basket was made 

 by a flower-lover after 

 this fashion : A piece of 

 board one foot long and 

 eight inches wide was 

 first selected, then 

 around the edges was 

 nailed a lath projecting 

 about an inch above ; 

 in each of the corners 

 was driven a nail, and 

 by means of strings 

 tied thereto the basket 

 was hung up. In the 

 bottom were scattered 

 a row of stones of 

 moderate size ; then 

 ^'^" ^^' they were covered with 



a layer of earth ; above this was another row of smaller stones, then a layer 

 01 earth, then sand pebbles, and a final coating of earth over all, forming a 

 mound in the centre. Here were planted very small rooted cuttings of trail- 

 ing plants, such as the Morning Glory, which soon filled the basket to over- 

 flowing. Two plants only will be sufficient. The Cypress vine will be liked 

 for the purpose. Choose five or six plants. The Madeira vine is unexcelled 

 for such a position. Erect plants should not be chosen, although Verbenas, 

 Abronias, and Thunbergias are not objectionable. 



Where shells are used, they may be ornamented with different shades of 

 moss, mixing the white mosses with the green as you glue them on. 



The sections of large pine cones will also ornament prettily. Tack them on 

 with brads, boring each scale with a brad-awl, so as not to split them. Alter- 

 nate the scales, and varnish the whole, and you will be quite satisfied with the 

 effect. It can be suspended with red or green curtain cord, fastened through 

 holes, as before directed, with bows or rosettes at the top and sides. The cones 

 of the dried burs of the Sweet Gum Tree, if strung together on wire or strong 

 twine, as beads are arranged in fancy baskets, make a handsome basket, whose 

 rustic appearance is very pleasing. 



The simplest and prettiest of all these constructions is that made from small 

 sticks of oak, maple, beach, or other wood, cut in lengths of eight, ten, twelve, 



