368 ORNAMEXTAL GARDENING. 



The plants most suitable for such boxes, are those of 

 drooi^ing habit for along the edges, and climbers may 

 be used if desired, for the sides of windows, or posts of 

 the veranda, and then bright, free-flowering plants, such 

 as Geraniums, Heliotropes, Cuphea, Fuchsias, and showy- 

 leaved Dracsenas, Begonias, Aspidistra, Coleus, Achyran- 

 thes. Dusty Miller, Caladiums, Cannas, etc. In fact, 

 where space and sufficiency of soil admit, there need be 

 no particular limit in the selection. 



The Hanging Basket is a well known ornament, par- 

 ticularly suitable for suspending from the roof of the 

 portico, or from a projecting hook in front, or at the side 

 of a window. The most common material of which these 

 are made is wire, the basket to be lined with moss, 

 and rustic earthen w^are or fancy crockery ware. Here it 

 should be observed that quite a number of plants are 

 brought closely together, and the best results will not fol- 

 low with a receptacle for earth too small to properly 

 hold them. "Whatever their kind, those measuring ten 

 inches and upwards across, unless very deep, are best. 

 If less than ten inches, they may look well when started, 

 but with hot weather, and increased growth, they will 

 not keep thus, but die out quickly. The plants named 

 for window boxes, are also suitable for hanging baskets. 



PLANT YASES, BOXES, AND LARGE PAINTED FLOWER 



POTS. 



These are often used for decorating railings, posts, 

 roofs, and the lawn. They do not differ materially as to 

 their planting, from the hanging baskets and window 

 boxes. In all attempts at growing plants in these recep- 

 tacles, above all else the soil should be in fertile condi- 

 tion, for be it remembered, that much growth and beauty 

 are expected from a small bulk of earth, consequently it 

 should be the best attainable. Any good soil of loamy 

 texture, well enriched with fine, old manure, will answer. 



