September 1, 1908 
Plant Stands. 
There is nothing which contributes so 
much to the adornment of a house and its 
surroundings as a few well-grown plants, 
in either pots or tubs. Many a verandah, 
balcony, hall, or living-room may be 
beautified at a small cost, and with very 
little trouble. A large variety of plants 
are suitable for the purpose, and these 
may be flowering or what are termed 
foliaged plants, such as palms and ferns. 
In many a corner, ingle, or window, a 
plant of some sort seams almost a neces- 
sity. The selection of suitable subjects 
should depend upon the position they 
would have to occupy. For a cool, shaded 
one, ferns may be chosen, and these may 
be found among the Lomarias, Nephro- 
lepises, Davallias, and some of the smaller 
growing tree-ferns. Numerous kind of 
palms may be used for both sunny and 
shaded situations ; Kentias, Latania Bor- 
bonica, Chamaerops, Arecas, and Phoe- 
nixes are useful kinds. Hydrangeas, 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 19 
Farfugiums, Cyperus alternifolius, Aga- 
panthus, Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, and a_ 
host of other plants may be used with 
good effect. 
In ordinary flower-pots plants do as 
well or better than in most other things, 
but they are breakable. and the larger 
sizes are dear. We can suggest a couple 
of useful utensils. The first is a grocer’s 
butter bucket, which requires first a good 
scrubbing ina hot soda bath, and when 
dry, a couple of coats of floor stain. 
Copper-zine bands, about 14in. wide can 
be obtained at the ironmonger’s, and 
these are easily fixed round with small 
copper nails, and should cover the hoops 
which keep the bucket together. The 
addition of acouple of ring handles, al- 
though not a necessity, adds greatly to 
the appearance, while, as can be seen, the 
stand is simply a cheap three-legged 
stool, stained to match the tub. 
The next is to make a good stout 
square box, the lid being sawn up to maké 
the supports, which are screwed on from 
the inside. A fairly wide picture mould- 
ing, which if sizes are given at the shop 
will be supplied ready mitred at the 
corners, must be neatly fastened round 
the top, and a coppered band, about 
half-way down the body gives the finish- 
ing touch. 
New Use and Culture of 
Evergreens. 
Under this heading, Bulletin 190 of 
the Ohio Agricultural Experimental 
Station publishes an article, which is 
thus summarised : 
Because of their enduring foliage, 
evergreens should be more extensively 
planted about country homes, whether 
used in straight-row windbreaks or 
mingled informally with ether trees on 
the lawn. From the ornamental stand- 
point, they abound in rich, dark shades 
of green, equally valuable as a back- 
ground for deciduous trees or flowering 
shrubs and plants. The finest of the 
larger ornamental evergreens are the white 
pine, Colorado blue spruce, white or 
silver fir, Oriental spruce and American 
hemlock. Of the smaller ones none 18 
better than Siberian, Hovey’s golden, 
pyramidal or globe Arbor vite, thread- — 
branched Japan cypress, graceful obtuse- 
leaved Japan cypress and plume like 
Japan cypress. The best evergreens 
bearing foliage in shades of yellow are 
Geo. Peabody Arbor vite, golden pea- 
fruited Japan cypress and golden plume- 
like Japan cypress. In maklng an ever- 
green hedge use American hemlock or 
Siberian Arbor vitz, For specimens to 
be shorn into fanciful shapes, use common 
red cedar, blue-tinted cedar or any Arbor 
vitae, 
As a protection to farm buildings, the 
barnyard, or poultry run, a good wind- 
break will repay its cost in a few years 1n 
the saving of fuel or feed. Rs 
The length of time consumed in its 
_ growth need not deter anyone from mak- 
ing a windbreak, as results may be secured 
in half-a-dozen years by planting thickly, 
subsequent thinning to be practiced. 
Yor the construction of windbreaks and 
shelter belts the pure white pine, Norway 
spruce, Austrian and Scotch pines and 
American Arbor vitae haye no superiors. 
These kinds all grow rapidly and are not 
advancing in vigor or adaptability to thin 
soils, exposed situations and other adverse 
eonditions. 
[It is hoped that no reader will so mis- 
construe any part of this article as to 
plant evergreens exclusively about the 
home. Deciduous trees occupy a place 
In any scheme for beautifying lawns 
which conifers alone do not and cannot. 
fill. When surrounded and completely 
enveloped in a dense growth: of ever- 
greens, a style of planting somehat preva- 
lent a few decades ago, and of which 
examples are even now occasionally 
seen, a residence becomes dark, gloomy, 
damp and dangerous to health. Editor 
* The Australian Gardener.’’] 
