402 



THE nOUSElIOLB. 



We know that our lady readers ■will readily appreciate this hint, and 

 know just where to place such a screen to produce the most desirable effect 

 in a room, as well as how to keep the leaves free from dust, so that they 

 will show to the best advantage. If a solid wall of green is considered too 

 dark and gloomy, some of the variegated sorts may be intermingled with the 

 plain leaved, but unless carefully tended and watched they will often ap- 

 pear sickly and wither away. 



A Liivlng Vase. — ^This process of ornamenting vases is by no means new; 

 but, as the thing is still far from being common, and as it may give some 

 one a new idea by which to help beautify the home, we have deemed it worth 

 while to give a representation of it so as to show the result, and to indicate 

 the means employed to obtain it, which are most simple. Though any kind 



of vases can be used indiscrim- 

 inately, those in unglazed terra- 

 cotta are preferable, being por- 

 ous. In such vessels the water 

 with which the vase is filled 

 percolates constantly through 

 the sides and moistens the 

 plants which are fixed Gtn its 

 surface. Tliis kind of vase is, 

 however, not indispensable, for 

 we can ornament all kinds, 

 whether in glass or metal. In 

 the latter case it is necessary to 

 prepare the surface so as to 

 convert it into a sort of soil, 

 which it really represents — an 

 operation which is easily man- 

 aged by the aid of a piece of 

 cloth or flannel which is fixed 

 by means of a little packthread 

 or thin iron or brass wire. This 

 being understood, the means 

 employed to grow the seed 

 must next be described. 



If a porous vase bo used it 

 is filled with water or, better still, left in a pail of water to soak. After a 

 lapse of 24 hotirs, when the water has thoroughly saturated the vas^p, it is 

 laid on its side, and the seed sprinkled slightly over the surface, taking v'^arc 

 to turn the vase in different directions, in order that the whole surface may 

 be well covered with seed. This operation terminated, the vase is placed in 

 a dark closet for some time, and, if i^ossible, iinder a glass frame, so as to 

 preserve humidity and facilitate germination. "^Tien the jjlauts are develf)ped, 

 and in case they got detached from the vase, they are secured by passing 

 round, in different directions, a little jjackthread or fine wire, which soon 

 disappears under the vegetation. 



If a non-porous vase, after having well soaked the cloth which covers it, 

 the seed is sown upon it and the same care is given if as has already been 

 indicated. When a porous vase is iised it shoul-d bo kept constantly full, 

 as it is the water filttiring slowly through it that feeds the iilants which 

 cover tlic sides. If that bo iusufiicient to insure v'.goroua growth, the vaso 



A LIVING VASE. 



