194 
RUSTIC ORNAMENTS. 
add two or three more, and it becomes a cluster of unsightly dead 
objects, disfiguring the landscape instead of lending to its 
charms; of course these remarks apply with most force to such 
as are permanent, but it is necessary to bear the principle in mind 
throughout the entire arrangement of all the subjects properly 
referrible to this class. 
With the strictly artificial objects spoken of as belonging to 
the flower garden, it is only necessary to observe that some pro¬ 
portion be kept up between the size of the object and that of the 
immediately surrounding space, and that they are not too pro¬ 
fusely introduced. 
The basket or vase affords an opportunity of exhibiting a 
favorite plant or family in the most attractive manner, and may 
be said to agree equally with every kind of garden, and perhaps 
the only point of consideration connected with it is merely to 
suit the one to the other in such a way that the eye may not be 
offended by any incongruity of size. A small plant in a large 
basket looks mean, while the contrary appears at least to be dan¬ 
gerous; these things, however, carry a corrective with them, for the 
error is so plain as seldom to require pointing out. A ready way of 
making these articles is to cut a tub of the required dimensions 
across the middle, and fitting the end having a bottom upon a 
stout stake or rough stump of a tree, cover the whole with strips 
of bark, which are easily nailed on, and the interstices being 
filled with moss, the whole will have a neat and pleasing appear- 
