242 PRACTICAL FLORICULTURE. 



rule, it is best to use some graceful plant for the center, 

 such as those already named. 



In setting the plants in the hanging baskets, a layer 

 of moss at least one inch in depth should be spread over 

 the bottom and sides, so that the water may be held and 

 prevented from washing through. 



A very good plan to water hanging baskets where 

 there are many of them, is to dip the whole basket in 

 water until it is thoroughly soaked ; thus drenched it will 

 stand quite as long as when watered in the usual way. 



To have the plants bloom freely, they should tie hung 

 where they will be exposed to the sun at least two or 

 three hours each day, and in dry weather copiously 

 watered daily. If the surface of the basket between the 

 plants is covered with moss, it will prevent the earth from 

 drying out so soon, and will give a neater appearance to 

 the basket* The soil used to plant in may be that suit- 

 able for potting ordinary plants, as described under the 

 head of soils 



CHAPTER XLV. 

 PARLOR OR WINDOW GARDENING. 



To be successful in growing plants in the window of 

 the parlor or sitting-room, it is of the first importance to 

 begin with plants that are in a healthy state. 



Experienced florists, with all their appliances for suc- 

 cessful culture, often fail to bring health to a sickly 

 subject. How, then, can amateurs, without experience, 

 hope to recuperate the weakened energies of some petted 

 plant in the less congenial atmosphere of an ordinary 

 dwelling-house ? I well know the usual practice of our 

 lady friends in this matter. In purchasing their supply 



