CHAPTER VIII. 



FURNISHING AND FIXING. -CONTINUED. 



SUPPORTS AND SHAPES. NATURAL TRAINING. WARDIAN CASES. 



INTERRUPTIONS and resumptions such 

 is life ! Such, at least, will doubtless be the 

 order of work in your "greeneries." But a 

 pleasant work is only the more pleasant, if, like 

 this, it may be continued. And now we come 

 to the artistic question of 



SUPPORTS AND SHAPES. 



The beauty of many greeneries is almost spoiled by un- 

 sightly stakes and huge trellises, which are more con- 

 spicuous than the plants themselves. When a delicate 

 vine in the window is made to climb upon a frame-work 

 strong enough for a grape-vine in the garden, there is 

 concealment as well as support, and more of carpentry 

 than greenery. Supports of some kind are, of course, 

 indispensable, not only with vines, but with all tender 

 and rapidly-growing plants ; so it becomes a question of 

 some importance how to furnish and fix them. 



The best answer, as to material at least, comes from 

 nature. So far as possible, let the supports be of natural 

 growth, in natural color and form slender shoots and 

 branches from hard-Avooded trees and bushes. These 

 change only their place and manner of service in coming 

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