BASKETS. 



BASKETS. 



Kentish filberts is loo Ib. Weights are 

 always 16 oz. to the pound. 



9. Pottle. This is a long tapering 

 basket that holds rather over a pint and a 

 half. A pottle of strawberries should hold 

 half a gallon, but never holds more than 

 one quart ; a pottle of mushrooms should 

 weigh one pound. 



Baskets, Drainage for. 



If the baskets are made of wire and 

 lined with moss, they are sufficiently 

 drained ; if of wood, there should be one 

 or more holes in each to let out surplus 

 moisture. In filling the baskets, put some 

 rough lumpy soil at the bottom. This 

 should lie hollow, so that surplus water 

 may readily find an exit. The soil should 

 be laid in roughly, with some broken 

 pieces of potsherd mixed with it, in which 

 way it will keep sweet for years. 



Baskets, Ferns for. 



Of a like permanency are ferns, which 

 require much the same soil as soft-wooded 

 plants and trailers, that is, equal parts of 

 peat, loam, and sand, having some broken 

 crocks mixed with it. One of the best 

 ferns for baskets is the common polypody, 

 <yt Phegopteris vulgare. This may be planted 

 in nearly all moss, with a small portion of 

 soil. Another excellent fern, and, indeed, 

 one of *he handsomest, is Aspleniuin 

 f,acciduin, of a beautiful drooping habit, 

 and also viviparous, producing young ferns 

 all over the old fronds. Let this fern be 

 placed in the centre of the basket : it will 

 require nothing more, but will show over 

 the sides, and look exceedingly beautiful, 

 being of a bright lively green, and one of 

 the best and handsomest ferns in cultiva- 

 tion. Pteris serrnlata and P. rotiindiflora 

 are also good ferns for baskets, and easily 

 grown, being of a free habit. 



There are also several sorts of British 

 ferns which may be grown in this way, 



particularly the true British Maidenhair 

 (Adiaiittini Capillus Veneris^ which, 

 spreading at the roots, will soon cover the 

 surface of the basket. Next to this may 

 be placed Asplenium Janccolatum^ which 

 is also a spreader ; likewise A. tnarinnni. 



Baskets for Garden Use. 



One of the most useful baskets for garden 

 use is that which is usually known as the 

 Sussex or Trug Basket, and which is illus- 

 trated in the accompanying engraving. 

 This basket is almost square in form as far 

 as the edge is concerned, though the 

 bottom is rounded. It is made of broad 

 laths of wood fastened to a narrower lath, 

 which forms the edge of the basket. 

 Another lath is bent over the basket, and 

 securely fastened to it to form the handle, 



SUSSEX OR TRUG BASKET. 



and ledges, curved above to fit the 

 bottom and flat below, are ^ nailed to the 

 bottom in order that it may stand steady 

 when placed on the ground. Being made 

 of solid wood, these baskets may be used 

 as mould scuttles or carriers, for collecting 

 weeds and stones, for gathering the firmer 

 kinds of fruit, such as apples and pears, 

 and for the reception of vegetables when 

 picked or cut, and roots when taken from 

 the ground. They are, in fact, serviceable 

 for every kind of garden work. 



Baskets for Window- Sills. 



Wire baskets, of ornamental patterns, to 

 fit the window-sills, are planted, some with 



