is usual to grow a number of plants in one basket, in order to 
furnish it satisfactorily, a rich soil is required to supply their 
needs. A mixture consisting of one-third well rotted cow manure 
(or failing this, horse manure) and two-thirds of good garden 
soil, will suit the majority of plants. 
Another important factor is that of light. Of course, there 
are a number of plants suitable for the purpose under discussion 
that will grow well in shade, but the majority of flowering 
plants will only succeed when they are exposed to a considerable 
amount of sunshine. 
Watering must not be neglected. On a hot day, the plants 
rapidly absorb the limited amount of water that is available in 
the soil; and in addition to this, the loss by evaporation is con- 
siderable, especially in the case of wire baskets, which present 
such a large surface from which moisture can evaporate. 
In preparing the wire hanging baskets for planting, it is first 
necessary to line the basket with something that will prevent the 
soil from spilling out. The best material for this purpose is nat- 
ural sheet moss, which can be obtained from a florist. The moss 
should be placed with the green side out and the basket partly 
filled with moist soil, which must be compacted. The plants can 
now be placed in position in such a way that when the soil is filled 
in around them it will be somewhat below the rim of the basket. 
It is better if the surface is made slightly concave, as this facili- 
tates watering. Do not forget, when filling in, to make the soil 
firm around the roots of the plants. The other types of baskets 
can be filled in the same way, except that no lining is necessary. 
When there are a number of plants to be placed in each basket, 
the trailing plants should be placed in position first around the 
rim, then some medium-sized plants of more or less upright 
growth, finishing up with a tallish plant in the centre. It must 
not be understood from this that absolute symmetry is advocated; 
a basket when finished should be somewhat irregular in outline 
and have every plant displayed to best advantage. 
The number of plants to be placed in each basket is dependent 
upon the taste of the individual, the size of the basket, and the 
size to which the plants attain. A single plant of Petunia will 
easily furnish one of the smaller sizes of baskets, and it is possible 
to use a dozen or more plants of various kinds in the larger sizes 
without giving them the appearance of being overcrowded. 
If, toward the end of the season, the leaves of your plants 
begin to turn yellow, it is usually an indication that they have 
exhausted the available food materials. In this case it is advan- 
tageous to use one of the complete fertilizers— obtainable from 
florists in small quantities— according to directions on the pack- 
age. 
If the baskets are required for service in the spring months, 
early flowering plants of a hardy nature must be planted. The 
