398 THE HOUSEHOLD. 



A Beantifnl Basket Plant, — Tho finest hanging baskets we hare ever 

 seen, have been of single iilauts of the ivy-leaved geranium. The richness 

 and elegance of the iolingc, and the drooping or traiUng habit of this plant 

 are qualifications it possesses, rendering it eminently serviceable for baskets 

 and vases. One plant is enough for a basket, but except in rare cases, it 

 will require more time than is afforded the first season to show in its best 

 condition. Tho plant is easily kept over winter, and the second season, if 

 attention is given by the use of manure-water to sustain it, the growth will 

 bo exuberant. There are now so many varieties of this plant, that one has 

 tlie opportunity to indulge his taste in selection. There are golden yellow- 

 leaved ones, bronze, green with white margin, and one, L'Elegante, that has 

 its green leaves margined with white that is tinged and streaked with pink. 

 The colors of the flowers are different with each variety; there are scarlet, 

 and crimson, and rose, and pink and white; again, there are single and 

 double flowei-s. One of the best varieties for a hanging basket, on account 

 of its fine foliage and free growth, is the double-flowered sort, Koenig Albert, 

 having mauve or purplish lilac-colored flowers. The double flowers last 

 much longer than the single ones, and this adds much to the value of the 

 plant. Por large baskets, where the best effect is desired in a short time, 

 several of these plants of different kinds could bo used for the margin, with 

 other i^lants in the center 



. Gro%ving House Plaiits in Moss. — In one of the Swiss villages nearly 

 all the inhal>itants are engaged in watch making. They work in large rooms, 

 which, being abundantly lighted and well warmed, allow tho workmen to 

 cultivate plants that, on accoiint of the uncertainty and rigor of the climate, 

 cannot be grown in tho open air. The president of one of tho local horti- 

 cultural societies in Switzerland gives an account of tho groat success with 

 which plants are cultivated in moss in these watch factories. One great ad- 

 vantage in tho use of moss is tho readiness with which plants may be 

 grouped in large vases and boxes. In France a " fertilized moss "is sold, 

 but ordinary moss, with occasional ajjplication of liquid fertilizci-s, will 

 answer as well. Ordinary sphagnum, or peat moss, such as is nsed l.)y 

 florists in packing, may be employed, but the writer prefers the moss whicli 

 grows in shoeta upon rocks, and around the trunks of trees at their base. 

 "Wire baskets lined with this moss are tised, as are jardinieres of metal, glazed 

 pottery, etc., taking care to provide suificient drainage. The liquid fer- 

 tilizer used on thesa house plants should bo without unpleasant odor; weak 

 guano water, solutions of nitrate of soda, or sulphate of ammonia maybe 

 employed, and very fine flour of bono may bo mixed with the moss. 



DufcliL Iljneysucltlo In tln> Hoii.se. — An English writer gives tho fol- 

 lowing, which suggests a way in which hardy wood-climbers might bo made 

 availal)le lor window decoration in winter or early spring: 



" Some years ago, as I was passing through a room used only occa- 

 sionally, I perceived an odor of fresh flowers that smiiriscd me, as none 

 were ever kept there. On raising the curtain of tho east window, I saw that 

 a branch of Dutch honeysuckle had found its way between the two sashes at 

 one corner, while growing in tho summer, and had extended itself quite 

 across the window; and on the branch inside there were three or four clus- 

 tcra of well-developed flowers, with tho usual accompaniment of leaves, 

 while on the main bush otitside there was not a loaf to V)o seen. The flowers 

 jusido were just as beautiful and fragrant as if they had waited until th^ 



