72 



GARDENING FOR PLEASURE. 



ing with 100 plants in the fall, by May 1,000 would be no 

 unreasonable increase to expect ; or in that ratio be the 

 number more or less. 



If large quantities of plants are wanted for summer dec- 

 oration by those who have neglected to propagate them, or 

 did not wish to do so, they should purchase young plants in 

 March or April, at which time the florists, to make room 

 in their houses, sell them at rery low rates, usually 

 not more than one-fourth of the price that the same 

 plants forced into bloom in May would cost. Such plants 

 at that season are grown mainly in 2 and 3-inch pots ; if 

 taken from these pots, say by 1st of April, and kept in 

 any cool room or greenhouse, where the temperature will 

 average 45° or 50° at night, by the time of setting out in 

 May they will have formed far better plants than those 

 pushed rapidly into flower in May. Or in other words, 

 $10 expended in March or April, will buy one hundred 

 plants, which, if cared for as above described, will by the 

 middle of May be of more value than the plants $50 

 would buy at that date from the same florist. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



HANGING BASKETS. 



Baskets in which to grow plants are now made in a great 

 variety of styles, and of different materials. What are 

 known as "rustic" baskets, (fig. 26), are made with the 

 receptacle for the earth covered mostly with laurel roots, 

 which assume an endless variety of grotesque shapes, well 

 fitted for giving a rustic appearance to the outer covering of 

 the hanging basket. Then there are the different forms 

 of wire baskets, (fig. 27), which, when used, are lined with 



