92 CALIFORNIA GARDEN FLOWERS. 



hard ground, without making a hole. If deeply driven they are capable of 

 supporting a tall standard plant through a gale of wind. 



For lighter uses, such as supporting tall herbaceous plant stems during 

 blooming, mature canes of one of the smaller bamboo species are very de- 

 sirable and can be taken at any time from a clump grown primarily 

 for its beauty, as will be noted in a later chapter. 



In addition to the use of ordinary twine, small rope, etc., for tying 

 plants to their supports, two other recourses have given long satis- 

 faction. One is the common use of galvanized wire, thrust through >a 

 piece of refuse garden hose, which should be kept for this purpose 

 when beyond other uses. If the hose is cut to the right length a 

 very neat support can be made by twisting the wire at the ends with 

 pliers and the bearing upon the hose will prevent injury to the bark. 

 Another good material is second-hand insulated wire which the 

 electricians often have more than they care to gather up. The heavy 

 wire, which with its insulating coating is about a quarter of an inch in 

 diameter, is strong enough for heavy strains and there are many 

 lighter insulated wires in a common job-lot. It is a good plan for the 

 amateur to gather-in a bushel of it in assorted sizes from the 

 electrician's bargain-counter. 



But for most constant use in tying plants large and small, from a 

 holly-hock to a campanula, also for tying bouquets, etc., every garden 

 should grow its own ties, so that hunting for twine need never be 

 necessary. Such a plant is New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax). The 

 leaf, simply torn up into ribbons, furnishes strong bands which become 

 even stronger on drying, and they can be trusted to hold for a long 

 time. This plant grows very freely in the coast region and in the 

 cooler, moister parts of the interior valleys and can be grown in a 

 corner although it is really a handsome plant. 



The dry leaves at the base of the head of a dracaena (sometimes 

 called "yucca palm") are good for tying and there are always some 

 on the tree even if you have cleaned up all that fall to the ground. If 

 you wish to prepare a lot in advance, gather up the dry leaves, soak 

 them in hot water and then tear them into strips, about five from one 

 leaf, and they will be found pliable and durable being disposed to 

 hold on for months. You can also use these withes for coarse basketry 

 if you are inclined that way. 



