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ORNAMENTAL GOURDS, &e. 
B. L., of South Carolina, is correct in her assertion. 
Yes, the “Aunt Carry” of the Cabinet did promise 
her relatives to tell them a few modes for forming 
Gourd Vases and Baskets. Our Editor, too, added 
his polite acquiescence below the offer, and last month 
should have seen the promise fulfilled, hut alas! as the 
French proverb is translated, “ Man proposes hut God 
disposes,” and the last number of our paper found me 
laid up high, with the footboard of a bedstead before 
my eyes, instead of the beauties of my Gourd Arbor! 
It is not too late, B. L., to give you my directions, 
however, as your Gourds are still only in a green state, 
I presume, as mine are; although you live farther 
south, and probably have forwarded them more, still 
if a hotter place than the stretch of prairie between 
Hannibal and St. Joseph is to be found on this terres¬ 
trial sphere this side of the Desert of Sahara, I do not 
long nor hanker to live in that neighborhood. But to 
proceed with our chat upon Gourds. If you have on 
your vines either the Bottle Gourd (called also the 
Calabash), the Argyrosperma, or any other with long 
curved necks, like the legs of a centre- 
table, fasten these together with pliable 
wire (first touching the piarts which 
come in contact with stiff glue), and 
with a sharp knife cut a circular hole 
in the large part, extracting seeds, dried 
pulp, etc. Ornament each edge with 
small Gourds, the Gooseberry or small 
Egg-shaped, fastened on by piercing 
holes through them and the apertures 
of the large ones. These form the feet. 
Upon them place a Flat-Corsiean or a 
Bishop’s-head, cutting apertures and 
excavating all the gourds, in order to 
form receptacles for flowers, vines, etc. 
Then fasten together four long Hercules’ 
Club for the upright portion, passing 
stiff, heavy wire one yard long through 
each (turning the ends of wire over 
with plyers), which holds the gourds 
perfectly firm; now fasten these four 
closely together, ornament the feet and 
this stem of the stand with small gourds, 
such as the Snake Cucumber (Cucumus 
Flexuosus), Cucantha Longissima, New 
Miniature, Cucurbita Lucentha, Pear- 
shaped, small Lemon or Egg-shaped. 
Having the four Hercules’ Club cut 
flat upon top, fasten very securely the 
flattest Plat Corsican you have on top, 
and upon this a large Lagenaria Gi- 
gantea, which will probably hold from 
two to four gallons of soil. Fill it and 
all the gourds you see proper to exca¬ 
vate. You may ornament as highly as possible with 
the small, bright sorts, Grossulasia and others, by pass¬ 
ing wire through them as explained and arranging in 
tiers (a large one at top and gradually growing smaller 
like a fringe) around the large gourds or wherever fancy 
dictates. Varnish the whole with copal if you desire 
the stand dark, or with Demar varnish if you prefer to 
retain the bright shades of the many-tinted gourds. 
You may imagine how many and varied the articles 
that can be formed thus—hanging baskets, etc., by 
using a large gourd and ornamenting with small ones. 
A pretty one is made thus: with a large flat gourd 
(properly cleansed of seed, etc.) form the basin, making 
a pretty bottom of three Bottle Gourds, and putting 
an edge of Cucumus Anguira and Mile Chito, also 
Cucurbita Digitata and Egg-shaped, with small Goose¬ 
berry strung for suspension cords on strong wire. An¬ 
other pretty ornament for a bracket is the Cornucopia 
Vase, a pair of which, filled with a graceful vine or 
bouquets of cut flowers, look equal to the bronze ones 
of the shops (if not examined too closely). The pro¬ 
cess is as follows: Having cleaned a pair of the Bottle 
Gourds, with large bowls and curved necks, by cutting 
a circular hole in the side or end of the large part, 
taking out the seed and scraping off all the soft dry 
pulp, with a strong needle and thread fasten an edge 
Group op Sweet Williams. 
of the bright, tiny Gooseberry Gourds around the ap¬ 
erture. Select a flat, dish-shaped gourd, or the half of 
a round one, for a foundation, and with stiff glue fasten 
the Cornucopia firmly upon it. Varnish with liquid 
bronze. 
A pretty hanging basket is made by preparing one 
of the Bowl Gourds, and ornamenting as described 
above, fasten smaller ones (cutting off about one-third 
at bottom), graduating them so that the vase or basket 
may look symmetrical, with a pointed Lemon or Mock 
Orange at the bottom. Having fastened suspension 
cords, hang a smaller gourd of rather bell-shape about 
midway within the cords, ornamenting to correspoud 
with the large one at bottom. Unless one has seen 
this improvement they can form no idea of the beauty 
of this second vase when filled with Kenilworth Ivy or 
other delicate trailer. To form a basket of gourds I cut 
sections from large ones, passing them across as handles, 
or at the sides in small arches. The edges of all gourd 
baskets or vases may (if preferred) be cut in points or 
scallops as a finish. C. S. J. 
SIEMPRE VIVA.—MOCKING BIRDS. 
A. M. H. wants some information in regard to the 
Siempre Viva; also, Mrs. E. K. Owens in regard to 
treatment of Mocking Birds, hence I take the liberty 
of addressing you. There are two plants called in 
Mexico “ Siempre Viva,” one of which is propagated 
by cuttings, as, although it sometimes blooms, I have 
never seen any one succeed in ripening seed. The 
flowers are a pinkish red, and quite insignificant; its 
only beauty is that it is always a bright green. I 
think that it belongs to the same class of plants with 
the common “ Live for Ever ” of the Eastern States. 
“ Siempre Viva” is Spanish, and literally translated 
means “Live for ever,” or “Ever living.” The other 
plant which bears the name of “ Siempre Viva” is a 
species of moss or lichen which is found upon the 
rocks in Mexico and between this place and San 
Antonio, Texas. It dries up, falls to- 
the ground, and is blown by the wind 
till it reaches a moist place, and then 
unfolds its leaves, which, from a dirty 
brown, become a rich dark green. 
They make a very handsome ornament 
for the sitting-room mantle. Their 
greatest recommendation is that you 
can take them from the water and in a 
few hours they are dry enough to be 
packed away for future use. 
This is the native home of the Mock¬ 
ing Bird, and as we have had them for 
many years, can give some items in re¬ 
gard to food. The yolk of a hard- 
boiled egg should be given twice a 
week. Once or twice a week the bird 
should have raw beef minced fine after 
the fat has been taken from it. For 
green food we give Purslane. Their 
general diet is coarse corn meal mixed 
with a little red pepper (not Cayenne) 
wet to a dough until cold water. No 
cake or sweet food other than bits of 
ripe fruit. Apples are also good for 
an occasional change. 
We have a great variety of Cactus 
growing wild here. They prove very 
hardy, standing frosts which kill grape 
vines. I have fourteen varieties, and 
as soon as I can I intend to increase my 
collection. I have a large “Pitahoya,” 
or Turk’s Head Cactus, which at one 
time had one hundred and fifty bright 
cherry blossoms, each fully two inches in diameter. An¬ 
other of the same species has a large rose-colored blos¬ 
som, semi-double, as large as a tea-cup. But I could not 
describe all. Most persons give them rich soil, which 
is as great a mistake as to give much water. They 
require a sandy, rocky soil, and need not be watered 
more than twice a week. 
Where can I find the old-fashioned White Bose of 
our grandmother’s time ? Who can tell me ? I have 
looked in vain through long catalogues. If any of 
your subscribers have it and will exchange for varieties 
of Cactus I should be pleased to hear from them. 
Las Cruces, New Mexico 
R. H. Blake. 
