BASKETS FOR ORCHIDACE^l. 
89 
The last indigenous plant of which we shall speak is the Hop, Humulus 
Lupulus, which, attached to a pole fourteen or fifteen feet high, and standing either 
in a border or on a lawn, makes throughout the summer a most elegant appearance, 
as well before its curious flowers are developed as while they are in full perfection. 
In the districts where it is not generally cultivated, it is a very great ornament to 
the pleasure-grounds. 
If the application of the foregoing remarks be confined to indigenous species, our 
object will be only half effected. Exotic herbaceous plants will be equally bene- 
fited by the adoption of similar expedients. 
BASKETS FOR ORCHIDACEyE. 
Diversified as are the materials in use for supporting Orchidacese, and equally 
various as are the modes of employing them ; although, besides, each cultivator, for 
a time, feels himself bound to particular systems, until he thinks he discovers a 
preferable plan, when he at once discards his former favourites ; there are certain 
forms of beauty, and sure principles of utility, connected with this question, which 
cannot be departed from without infringing sadly on good taste, and occasioning 
injury to the plants. They who, for the sake of variety, or from mere caprice, 
imbibe and act under the impression that the most grotesque and singular objects 
accord best with the extraordinary character of the tribe, and are thus led into 
extravagances which outrage all propriety, and are as remote as possible from any 
relation to the peculiar habits of the species, take a decidedly erroneous view of the 
case, and defeat their own ends. 
What ought to govern and direct every effort of the kind are, the known natural 
condition in which the plant is found, the desire to provide adequately for its wants 
with an eye to the changed circumstances in which it is placed, and the wish to 
exhibit favourably all its peculiarities, not concealing or eclipsing them by rendering 
its receptacle more remarkable and attractive than itself. On the last point we 
would especially insist ; because, though not of more real moment than the rest, it 
is far more commonly forgotten. 
To put a small though pretty plant in an ornamental and curious basket which 
probably exceeds its own dimensions, is to draw away the attention from what it 
ought to be allured to, and to make that a leading and engrossing feature which 
should be nothing more than a subordinate one. Always keeping this fact in mind, 
however, a neat and appropriate basket will contribute greatly to set off the beauty 
of a plant, and a judiciously-chosen variety will be of considerable importance in an 
orchidaceous-house. 
With the view of better elucidating the subject, we shall insert sketches of three 
kinds of baskets, all of which are excellent in their way, and which have our 
vol. ix. — no. c. n 
