348 



MANUAL OF GARDENING 



should then have only sufficient water to keep them in con- 

 dition. When growth begins, apply water; and increase the 

 water as the growth becomes more rapid. 



Hanging baskets. 



To have a good hanging basket, it is necessary that some careful 

 provision be made to prevent too rapid drying out of the earth. 

 It is customary, therefore, to line the pot or basket with 

 moss. Open wire baskets, like a horse muzzle, are often 

 lined with moss and used for the growing of plants. Pre- 

 pare the earth by mixing some well-decayed leafmold with rich 

 garden loam, thereby making an earth that will retain mois- 

 ture. Hang the basket in a hght place, but still not in direct 

 sunhght; and, if possible, avoid putting it where it will be ex- 

 posed to drying wind. In order to water the basket, it is often 

 advisable to sink it into a pail or tub of water. 



Various plants are well adapted to hanging baskets. Among 

 the drooping or vine-like kinds are the strawberry geranium, 

 Kenilworth ivy, maurandia, German ivy, canary-bird flower. 

 Asparagus Sprengeri, ivy geranium, trailing fuchsia, wandering 

 jew, and othonna. Among the erect-growing plants that pro- 

 duce flowers. Lobelia Erinus, sweet alyssum, petunias, oxalis, 

 and various geraniums are to be recommended. Among foliage 

 plants such things as coleus, dusty miller, begonia, and some 

 geraniums are adaptable. 



Aquarium. 



A pleasant adjunct to a window-garden, living room, or con- 

 servatory, is a large glass globe or glass box containing water, 

 in which plants and animals are living and growing. A solid 

 glass tank or globe is better than a box with glass sides, because 

 it does not leak, but the box must be used if one wants a large 

 aquarium. For most persons it is better to buy the aquarium 

 box than to attempt to make it. Five points are important in 



