FURNISHING AND FIXING CONTINUED. 



87 



to you, and so they perfectly harmonize with the leaves 

 and flowers which they now artificially support. If they 

 are too slender for their purpose when taken singly, two 

 or three may be used in a self-bracing position, and 

 wired together at the top. To give them greater firm- 

 ness in the pot, set with each another short stake of wood 

 or iron projecting an inch above the soil, and clasp them 

 with a bit of wire. Such supports you will find as du- 

 rable as the best in the market, and far more suitable. 

 They are wholly unobtrusive, indeed, hardly distinguish- 

 able ; and this is recommendation enough if the plants 

 are the things to be seen. 



Taking this hint in making selection of any necessary 

 substitute, I know of nothing better than the copper- 

 wire already mentioned. This in 

 many cases may be used alone 

 with good effect. For instance, 

 when the bracket-pots or hang- 

 ing-baskets contain such, vines as 

 the Ficus repens or Hedera gra- 

 cilis in a luxuriant condition, you 

 may wish to train their growth 

 downward and upward and out- 

 ward. This I have often found 

 absolutely necessary in order to 

 accommodate the overflow. In 

 such a case, the wire is the sup- 

 port^ar excellence. Taking a piece 

 of suitable length, attach the ends 

 to the pot or basket, and make a sort of apron in outline 

 of any pattern to suit your taste. With one or two cross- 

 pieces to hold it in place, you will have a firm support, and 

 may have a beautiful shape for the mass of drooping 

 foliage. For the upward and outward growth, make a hoop 

 or other symmetrical form of any size desired, and fasten 

 it firmly to two of the suspending wires of the basket di- 



Fig. 15 WIRE SUPPORTS. 



