ELABORATE DESIGNS 



71 



it is pleasing, effective, and unique. The bed shown is 7 feet in 

 diameter : tlie edging is raised 9 inches from the level of the turf, the 

 handle in the centre being 28 inches from the surface of the bed. 

 The raised edge is best made of wood, either plain and covered with 

 virgin cork, or, better still, Larch or Fir parings, which can be pro- 

 cured from the sawmills at a nominal cost. They are usually used 

 for repairing fences, and are called by the sawyer slabs. Cut them 



FIG. 10 



into lengths of 14 inches. They will also make short stakes to 

 be driven into the ground around the bed 14 inches apart. To these 

 posts screw or nail the lengths, and your edging is complete. See 

 that the posts have a firm hold, so as to be able to support the soil in 

 the raised bed. 



At each side of the bed a strong post will be needed to support the 

 bough representing the handle of the basket. This is best made of 

 iron about 1 inch in width. Cover this neatly with bark or cork, 

 wrapped on with wire raffia or twine will soon perish and court 

 failure. Now that your edging and handle are fixed, fill the bed with 

 good soil, adding some leaf mould or good short manure, and, should 

 the soil be clayey and heavy, a dash of sand. The soil may be raised 



