HANGING BASKETS. 



Hanging Baskets form our simplest and also cheapest style of window orna- 

 ment. They need very little care, their demands are not very exacting, and 

 the chances of failure are very much less than plants of more sensitive nature, 

 fit only for careful pot culture. The Hanging Basket is supposed to be a modern 

 invention, or, at any rate, not very popularly used until late times ; hence, it 

 strikes us with feelings of curiosity to learn that, in the observance of the 

 Jewish rural festivals hundreds of years ago, plants and cut flowers were taste 

 fully arranged, placed in vases, and suspended from the branches forming the 

 roof of the leaf-covered tabernacle. This was made of the branches of the 

 oak, cedar, palm, and willow, so cut as to prevent them from withering for 

 seven days, while the Passover was celebrated. 



The directions for culture are very simple : Choose as pots or baskets clay 

 bowls of porous ware, which may be set inside either a wire or wooden frame, 

 or a glazed vessel. In non-porous pots or vessels, plants will not grow to per- 

 fection ; there is usually no outlet or drainage for the surplus moisture to 

 escape, and all side ventilation or aeration is cut off. Hence, the soil becomes 

 sodden, and the roots are liable to decay. After you have provided your bas 

 kets, then fill the bottom to the depth of an inch or two with small bits of 

 charcoal, for the triple purpose of drainage, purification, and as a fertilizer. 

 Charcoal dust is also desirable to mix with the soil. A coarse sponge might be 

 put in, if the vessel is deep, to drink up the surplus moisture, and yet keep the 

 soil moist by giving it out again when dry. You do not need a very rich soil ; 

 good garden soil is well enough ; because, if too rich, your plants will grow too 

 rapidly for grace and beauty, and run too much to stem. Climbing or drooping 

 vines may run as much as they please ; the more freely the better, as it is the 

 very thing desired; but standard plants in baskets must not be stimulated 

 much; they would outgrow their space. 



Sand is a needed ingredient; at least one third the soil should be composed 

 of " scouring sand." Mix it well with dark loam and leaf mould. The soil 

 from around pine trees is most excellent for your baskets ; in fact, there is none 

 better. 



If the baskets become very dry from the excessive heat of the sun, it is best 

 to place them in a dish of water for half an hour. Thus treated, the roots suck 

 up a copious supply, and need not receive any more for two or three days. 



