The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-09-26
HOME INTERESTS.
My Jardiniere, and Some Other Things.

MY Jaru1n1ere, ana Some Other Th1ngS.
One of my chief treasures is rustic flower
stand, manufactured for me by dear brother;
and besides being pretty, it is SO easily made
and so inexpensive that want to describe it for
the benefit of others. He found small birch
tree about three inches in diameter, having
curiously gnarled and twisted roots which part
ly protruded from the ground These he care
fully cut off about one foot from the stump all
around, trimmed off the unsightly ones, and
sawed off the top, leaving a stump about two
feet high. Then he took small branches of two
or three sorts-hickory, ash, ETC. and cut them
about ten inches long, afterward saving them
in two lengthwise; next he sawed board in
oval shape for the bottom of the basket, and to
this nailed the strips, leaving the rough bark
outside and trimming the top of each piece to
a smooth, even "scallop," then mailing them all
to longer piece like hoop, about three inches
below the top on the outside, spreading somewhat
at the bottom This basket, which was
about eighteen inches long and four
teen wide, he screwed fast to the top
of the stump. There were three small
branches near the bottom of the stump which
he twisted partly around it. bringing the ends
up and fastening to the bottom of the basket at
the edge, making them serve to support it.
Last of all, he made an octagon platform by
saving off the corners of a board about eighteen
inches square, and fastened the stump firmly
upon it. Then came my part; to oil the whole
outside, roots and all, with what furniture men
call finishing oil. Last winter had no pan for
it. so set it full of small pots containing plants
"a large double scarlet geranlum In the middle,
with variety of things around it. finishing
with vines to droop over the edge. The plat
form should be covered over with moss-any
common sort will do-which in the country can
be found in the woods, and in the city at any
florists Pack it so all will be covered, except
the clean, well-oiled tops of the roots, and
when it is all done you, will have a lovely orna-
ment, at no cost except your time for, if you
love flowers, your trouble will be pleasure
This year [ have zinc pan to fit my basket,
and shall fill it with a solid bed of colors, they
grow SO readily, and have the effect of flowers
when flowers are scarce. An outlay of % cents
will furnish set of casters which will enable
you to move it more easily, and prevent moist
ure underneath which might injure the carpet,
Another pretty thing for the country, or any
large yard, is to have a real or manufactured
stump so placed as to look natural Get from
old trees in the woods that shelf-shaped fungi
you see everywhere; nail them fast to the stump
at irregular intervals cover the rest of the sur
face with moss, lichens and bits of bark, tackled
on, because wet weather will peel them off if glued
on. If well sprinkled every dry day they will
keep green all summer, and you can plant at
the roots vines, which will climb over il and
make it delight to your eyes. There is moth
ing so graceful as vines. They are the drapery
nature always uses to cover up unsightly OBJ
jects, and there is no way SO easy of imitation.
Any old shed Or tumble down fence which daily
torments mother and the girls, but which father
and the boys have no time or inclination to re-
pair, may be turned into green bank of beauty
by few morning glories and Madeira vines or
wild cucumbers-one of our prettiest and best
growing climbers. Of these latter, shall have
plenty of seeds next month, and will gladly
send some to any one who desires them enough
to send stamp for postage. III
Another pretty ornament for winter cheap
and easy of construction, is shallow wooden
bowl. Have three holes made near the edge by
which to hang it. Then you can gum on moss,
lichens, etc., if you choose; OF paint it an olive
green or dark green. Let it dry, and then put
on two or three pictures of bright-colored birds
and butterflies, such as can be bought anywhere
now, after which give the whole coat of Dema1
varnish which does not crack, Fill. with earth
if for flowers and vines, or with af-mold and
ferns, partridge-berry vines and other pretty
things from the woods 1t is great mistake to
suppose that no plants are pretty except costly
exotics Many of our wild, unnotced plants
would be first-class beauties if imported Keep
your eyes open, and you will see plenty of such
every time you go into the fields and woods.
There is peculiar charm about things we make
for ourselves, and, when we add to that our in
genuity in devising something out of nothing,
we have attained one of our best pleasures, be-
cause we have found out that money is not es-
sential toreal happiness. GRANDMA OLDwAYs.