GARDENING BY M YSELF. i g 5 



sand and the pots ; the boxes, if they are to 

 go in boxes ; the moss, if they are to be 

 planted in moss. Shall I go further, and say, 

 the turnip, if^ "• No ; I most earnestl}^ 

 hope that everybody who has a turnip will 

 put it to a more fitting use. Fancy content- 

 ing oneself with a hoUowed-out turnip or 

 carrot for a hanging-basket, while there was 

 a yard of wire to be bought for two cents, 

 or a handful of moss to be had for the gath- 

 ering, or an old box in the world that one 

 could cover with pine cones and bark ! If 

 the ready-made pretty things are not at- 

 tainable, set your w4ts to work and make 

 still prettier. The stems of wild grape 

 vines are fine twisting material, and bits of 

 old hollow branches, or old knot-holes with 

 their frame-work, may be cut and trimmed 

 and fashioned into the daintiest bulb-hold- 

 ers. Look about you in your walks, — gath- 

 er conch shells by the seashore, if your path 

 lies there ; or build up smaller shells and 

 bright-hued pebbles into handsome con- 

 glomerates of what shape you like. Then 



