104 
WJNDOW GARDENING. 
hardy vines, Moneywort and Partridge vine, (3IitcheUa repens,') come forth in 
fresh beauty and gracefulness. 
Miniature baskets can be made of a goose or turkey's egg, that are exceed- 
ingly pretty and attractive. Select the largest size, make a hole "with a needle 
at each end, and blow out the yolk and white. Then dip the egg into boiling 
water, and while it is hot cut it in the middle, a little at a time, for fear it will 
crack down too far. Use a pair of small, sharp sissorS. For a covering and 
c rds to suspend it, take scarlet, green, or blue split zephyr worsted, and either 
net or crochet a cover. Use a fine mesh or needle, and make an ornamental 
scolloped edge around the top. Crochet cords, or twist them, of the zephyr, and 
hang the tiny baskets with them. Three baskets can be made and sewed together, 
with a cord attached to the edge of each shell. A dilFerent vine can be planted 
in each egg shell. Use a rich, but rather sandy soil, and the vines will grow 
luxuriantly. 
The same device can be suspended from the chandelier to hold cut flowers, 
or the chains can be omitted and the baskets be used as vases 
Boys or girls who possess any ingenuity can construct these pretty floral 
adornments in their leisure hours. Money is not always required for their man- 
ufacture, nor need those who live in the country apply to the florists for plants 
to fill them; for the fields and woods contain many twining vines that are very 
suitable for them. Almost anything will do for a basket — shells, horns, or any- 
thing that will hold earth, have been used for the purpose. Even turnips and 
carrots can be hollowed out and made to hold pretty little plants — so no one need 
be without these simple floral adornments for parlor or dining-room. 
Plants for Hanging Baskets. 
Our theme is now a more pleasing one, for how infinite, and yet indescribably 
beautiful, are some of the combinations of plants in baskets which we occasion- 
ally see. 
Take, however, from us one general word of advice : Do not crowd in too 
many plants of upright growth. Usually one erect plant of showy, striking 
character, should be used — say a Begonia or a bright flowering Geranium; then 
around this gather your plants, of great variety, but lower and more compact 
growth, and around the edge plant both your climbers and your trailers. If 
your basket is to hang in a northern or eastern window, where the temperature 
is lower than any other exposure, you will have to choose such plants as the 
Lycopodiums, Periwinkle, and Moneywort. They will do well here, for they 
require less sunlight. An Ivy will do well anywhere, so you may consider this 
your safest plant. As we have mentioned before, it is not best to bring your 
plants immediately from the outdoors to the warm air of the living room. Do 
it gradually, by first bringing the basket, after it is filled, into a cool room with 
plenty of light, but not directly from the sun. Here let the plants get well 
started, and after two or three weeks you may bring the basket into the parlor 
or living room. 
