366 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



adaptability in old tree stubs and the prevailing sizes of tubs and barrels to the 

 convenience of their owners. The perpendicular sides of tubs are objectionable, 

 and there seems to be nothing in the ready-made circular style of receptacles 

 between sugar barrels and hogsheads, except lard barrels. These come nicely 

 hooped at the ends with bark-covered hoops. 



The section used in this case measures six feet in circumference, and the 

 tree stub about four, with an entire height of three and a half feet, which makes 

 a fairly well proportioned vase, with little expense or labor. To insure durability 

 this barrel was charred inside, and good drainage secured by boring holes in the 

 bottom near the edge. The soil for the class of plants used must be rich in all 

 the good things which horticultural knowledge can supply, and a liberal supply 

 of water given every day, which is, in fact, all the care required after the plants 

 are placed. 



The beauty of any such arrangement depends largely upon the selection 

 and disposal of the plants. The combination shown in the illustration is 

 particularly happy. Two common green cannas were planted a little back of 

 the center, while in front and between the other two is a bronze-red variety, with 

 a bright yellow coleus on either side of it as an excellent foil to throw out its 

 color, and a dash of blue lobelia in front and between the two ; these, with 

 caladiums placed on either side and at the back, and given a red relief of coleus 

 plants, form a rich and artistic mass of color, greatly heightened by the soft gray 

 and brown beneath it. The artful bit of drapery at the side adds to the 

 picturesque effect, but was only a subterfuge to hide the bare place on the ^tump 

 where a boy indiscreetly pulled off the loose bark instead of nailing it back in 

 place. A strip of poultry netting tacked across prevents further pulling of the 

 bark, and supports the morning glories and nasturtiums. Ampelopsis quifique- 

 folia is also growing at the base, and is eventually expected to take the place ef 

 both, which will be desirable because of its permanency. The cannas, caladiums 

 and coleus have had a glorious time all summer ; a more luxuriant growth 

 would be hard to find ; the cannas reached a height of four feet, and the red 

 blossoms looked beautiful in the air nearly eight feet above the green grass at 

 the base of the stump. — Orange Judd Farmer. 



/ 

 Japan Maples. — The maples from Japan are likely to become as popular 

 in this country, in time, as the chrysanthemums have been for the last few years. 

 They are especially adapted by their diminutive size and brilliancy of colors to 

 garden decoration. The Japs use them in this way. Where a change of color 

 is desired in their gardens, a pot is sunk in the ground, and one of the richly, 

 colored maples planted. The fine, delicate, fern-shaped leaves of some of the 

 varieties make a grand display at a short distance off, when the lacy veining of 

 the leaves can be seen traced in all their beauty. Other ^■arieties, where the 

 colors are more solid and the leaves larger, look better when at a longer dis- 

 tance. They make a good foreground for lawn scenes, and have a grand effect 

 in small parks. — Vick's Magazine for December. 



