The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-03-07

70 y ~ neAlSny Tor the plants as those
that are ,inglazed, since the moisture
canhot escape through the sides of the
pot, but I find by being very careful not
to overwater, I car, keep plants in them
in healthy condition. Baskets of wire
work are apt to drip more or less, and
they seem more suitable to hang beneath
q porch or piazza, in summer. I like
best those of rustic work, where variety
OF plants are to be grown together.
They can be bought at very reasonable
prices. or, where economy is desirable,
may be manufactured at home.
My rustic basket had been used for
years, and had decayed past all hope of
repair, so / told John that lie might
make me one some rainy day, adding
that nice one the size wanted would
cost about 81. SWELL" said he, ~
wouldn't pound my fingers nor vex my
soul for twice that; I'd rather buy you 4
new one." CAN right, thank you, said
l, and in due time the new one ap-
peared. l had slips and plants already
started for it, end the last of September
proceeded to fill it. I Use the same
soil for basket plants that I tlo for
others, first putting in broken charcoal
at the bottom with handful of moss
over it. The charcoal serves as fer
tilizer and purifier, and also absorbs
the surplus moisture, giving it out
again when needed. All hanging bas-
kets should he turned every few
days, and should he sprinkled with
tepid water once week, twice a
week would lie better, as
the atmosphere where they
hang is much dryer and hotter than that
surrounding the plants OIL the stands
beneath, consequently they will be more
liable to suffer from attacks of the red
spider. believe in Immersion" for
them, as water, water. water, is the only
remedy: they dislike moisture.
L like to water my plants and baskets
as early as convenient in the morning,
using warm water, and toward spring I
give them, once week, a drink of barn
yard tea, about the color of weak cof-
fee, being careful not to give it too
strong, or too often. For rustic bas-
ket, foot or more in diameter, one
needs something snowy and graceful
for the center, as we'll as little taller.
A crimson drac,cna is good for this pur-
pose. SO, too, is the te-edged green
variety. have sometimes used a
bright coleus, but it needs constant
pinching or it will grow too tall.
Around the center may he grouped
ferns, with rich begonia or two, a
bright foliaged geranium, with ivies OF
mauranddya to RIM up the handles, and
lobelia, musk, vinca, tradescantia, etc.,
to droop over the sides,
intersperscd with scdum, wan
dering jew, pa,,icum. variegatum
an italian grass. Coliseum ivy is very
pretty growing i'll - large sea-shell sus-
pended from the window, and the pretty,
free flowing small oxalis is fine, and
looks and thriyes best by itself. Last
winter planted the yellow oxalis in the
same pot with the large pink variety,
and they were pretty grown together,
as the sprawlins habit of the former
was we'll hidden by twining its long
stalka among the stout foliage and
brig ght blooms Of the large pink oxalis,
and the colors harmonizcd finely. A
plant of the ivy-leaved geranium, pele-
gantc, is very attractive, with its pea.
green leaves edged with white, ofte,,
tinted with carnline, and is an ornament
to any room.