678 



GARDENESQUE STYLE OF FLOWER-GARDENS. 



Permission was kindly given us by the 

 Duchess of Buccleuch to copy them from 



Fig. 936. 



her grace's private portfolio of drawings. 

 They are formed of strong narrow hoop- 



Fig. 937. 



iron, which gives them a more substantial 

 appearance, as well as, in reality, a degree 



Figs. 938. 



939. 



of firmness and durability which the 

 wire baskets in common use do not 

 possess. They all stand, as it were, on 

 plinths, either formed of open work or 

 solid plates of iron — thus giving them the 

 true appearance all subjects of this kind 

 should show. 



In the manufacturing of rustic baskets 

 it is next to useless to employ a carpenter. 

 They work too much by square and rule, 

 and, from habit, give their work too much 

 the appearance of art. An intelligent 

 labourer, who has a natural taste for 

 these things, makes the best flower-bas- 

 kets, and indeed all other rustic work 

 whatever. It is also fitting employment 

 for them during winter, when they can 

 put together the material picked up from 

 time to time during their usual occupa- 

 tions in the woods and forests. Men 

 having this object in view, will select the 

 curious excrescences found on old trees, 

 and the natural-bent branches, to form 

 the different parts with as few joinings as 

 possible — for on this much of the art de- 

 pends. 



It is hardly necessary to give specimens 

 of the wire flower-basket in ordinary use. 

 The great majority of those made by 

 wire-workers have not sufficient strength 

 at their bases, which unfits them for gar- 

 den purposes, where they have not only 

 the weight of the pots and plants to sup- 

 port, but also the resistance of the wind, 

 which, in open-air gardens, has a consi- 

 derable effect upon them. 



Edgings for borders are very necessary 

 appendages in this style of garden. They 

 are formed of various materials, such as 

 wire, cast-iron, earthenware tiles, rus- 

 tic pieces of wood, slates, pavement, and 

 various cements. The annexed forms 

 may serve as examples of portable wire- 

 work, (figs. 938 to 946.) They should 

 be made in convenient lengths, so that 

 they may be removed and stored by 

 when not in use. 



940. 



941. 



942. 



Figs. 943. 



944. 



