oi O , 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[JULT. 
midst of a well-wooded valley, down which ran 
a stream broken by occasional rapids and wa¬ 
terfalls. At the foot of one of these falls, which 
was about twenty feet high, Mr. Brown had built 
one or two rude seats. From this point, we fol¬ 
lowed a path leading by a gentle ascent in various 
windings up the sides of a tree-covered hill, until 
we reached the top. This was 
not a gravel walk, but simply 
a wide wood-path, laid out by 
our host himself, and easily 
kept in order. This hill proved 
to be a ridge with several dis¬ 
tinct eminences. On each of 
them the underbrush had been 
cleared up, and comfortable 
rustic seats built out of the 
trees and grape-vines of the 
surrounding forest. And now 
came a series of pleasant sur¬ 
prises. From one of these 
peaks, a view had been cut 
out through the woods in a 
southern direction, embracing 
a 'wide range of country, hills, 
valleys, streams, and scatter¬ 
ed farm-houses. The land¬ 
scape in every other direction 
was left purposely shut out 
from observation. After rest¬ 
ing and enjoying ourselves 
awhile here, we followed the 
path down into the forest 
again, until ere long we turn¬ 
ed and gained another sum¬ 
mit. Here were home-made 
seats again, and another pro¬ 
spect, but in an entirely differ- 
ent direction. Before us in 
the distance, were two valleys 
converging, with their mill- 
streams, and factories, and 
villages. From this point, 
too, all other views were ex¬ 
cluded. Off again, but in the direction of the 
valley, we followed our host’s guidance among 
the trees, until we came upon a seat built close 
upon the brink of a precipice, from which all 
outward views were cut olfby overhanging trees 
and wild vines, but from which on looking 
downward ,, almost under our feet, we saw the 
house and grounds of Mr. B., the repose and 
beauty of which were in striking contrast with 
the wild spot in which we were sitting. Could 
anything have been more charming ! After en¬ 
joying this nook awhile, and listening to the 
musical tinkle of the stream below, we took up 
our line of march down into the valley, and 
thence to the house, where a dinner refreshed us 
after our long ramble. 
Now, we venture to say that there are few 
places within fifty miles, so attractive as this. 
Yet it was not the property of a rich man. 
Nearly all these improvements were made by 
the owner’s skillful hands, with only a trifling 
outlay of money. They were made from time 
to time, at odd hours, as a means of recreation 
from other and harassing pursuits, and all with¬ 
in the past seven years. It is true, Mr. Brown 
had a valley and a hill to work up, such as few 
possess; but then he had also a quick eye, and 
a ready hand, and a stout will, which seldom 
fail to accomplish great results anywhere. The 
fact is, most persons are too lazy to effect much; 
and they are glad of the chance to yawn their 
complaint: “ Oh, if I were only rich , I could 
have a fine place!” What such men as Mr. 
Brown have done with limited means, and in so 
short a time, others may do, if they only possess 
a like enthusiastic love of rural pursuits, a wil¬ 
lingness to sacrifice some other common grati¬ 
fications, if need be, and perhaps to sweat a 
little, in order to secure a desirable object. 
Ornamental Hanging Baskets for Plants. 
While calling at the house of a friend recently, 
we were particularly struck with the air of finish 
that seemed to pervade the room where we were 
seated. The furniture was inexpensive but neat; 
a few choice engravings hung upon the nicely 
papered walls, and the window curtains were 
tastefully arranged; but we had often seen as 
well chosen surroundings without the same 
effect, and it was not a little puzzling at first, to 
decide what gave such pleasant satisfaction in 
the general appearance of the apartment. So 
we commenced noticing the details, and almost 
immediately found the solution of the query. 
A few hanging baskets, filled with growing 
plants in bloom, were disposed about the room, 
one before each window, and a larger one in the 
center—these gave the crowning grace. As 
rooms are ordinarily furnished, there is too 
sudden transition from the carved and polished 
mahogany and the elaborate wall paper, to the 
blank ceiling overhead: something is needed to 
break up the violent contrast, and what more 
pleasing than a few graceful trailing and climb¬ 
ing plants ? There are many situations where 
these beautiful ornaments will be equally in 
place, as in the large hall, the openings of the 
veranda, pendant from the roof of the rustic 
summer-house, or even swinging from the lower 
branches of the tree in the front yard. 
Hanging flower baskets may be made of va¬ 
rious materials, and there is no lack of plants 
suitable to fill them. Of those represented in 
the accompanying illustrations, the uppermost 
one is of rustic work, or crooked branches of 
oak or other wood nailed together to form a 
support for the flower-pot containing the plant. 
The others are of terra cotta, and may be bought 
at most manufactories of pot¬ 
tery ware. Wire is a very 
cheap material, easily form¬ 
ed into the required shape 
to hold the flower-pot. If 
this be used, it should be 
painted green, and kept part¬ 
ially filled with moss to hide 
the pot within. Shells of va¬ 
rious kinds are also admirable 
for this purpose, as was fully 
described and illustrated in 
the Agriculturist for April,1859 t 
p. 117. In whatever w r ay the 
plants are suspended, they 
will, of course, need the same 
care respecting watering and 
drainage, as if cultivated on 
the flower stand. Great pains 
should be taken to keep the 
leaves free from dust. The 
following list of plants will 
afford a good selection for 
almost any situation. The 
seeds may be obtained at 
most seed stores, and,for house 
culture, be sown at any time. 
Anagallis Monelli. 
Campanula speculum. 
Cenia tuibinata. 
Cereus flagelliformis. 
Cochlearia. 
Grammanthus gentian. 
Gypsophylda muralis. 
Ipomea nil, and quamoclit. 
*Ivy Leaved Geranium. 
Linaria cymbalaria. 
Lobelia ramosa. 
Maliernia incisa. 
Manulea violacea. 
tMaurandiaBarclayana, etc. 
Mesembrianthemum tricolor. 
Nemesis tloribunda. 
Neurembergia gracilis. 
Oxalis erosa—mx’d Petunias. Thunbergias. 
Portulacca grandiflora. Tradescantia caudata. 
Silcnis alpestris. Tradescantia discolor. 
tSaxifraga sarmentosa. Tradescantia zebriana. 
Sedum cceruleum. Verbenas of various kinds. 
* These are shown in the upper basket in the illustration, 
t These are shown in the right hand basket, 
t These are shown in the left hand basket. 
Bose Leaf Picture Frames. 
A writer in “ The House and Garden,” thus 
describes how to make a pretty, ornamental style 
of picture frames: “ The leaves of the Multi¬ 
flora or climbing rose, are best suited for this 
purpose, as they have a greater richness and 
variety of color than most of the rose family. 
At the time when there is the greatest variety 
of colored leaves, strip them from the bush, and 
put them to press in any old book you do not 
wish to use; change them as often as every 
other day, until sufficiently dried; then take 
any picture you wish—an engraving is generally 
used—fasten it on to a paste-board, and leave 
a margin the width you wish for your frame, 
outside the engraving. Sew the leaves on tc 
the paste-board frame, either in knots or groups, 
or simply overlapping each other, and varnish 
with furniture varnish. When dry, suspend 
with cord and tassels, and you have a very 
pretty picture.” Other leaves of variegated 
colors, as maple, etc., or several sorts showing 
different shades of green, may be used in tin 
same manner. 
