The first runners that arc produced from the plants in the summer are undoubtedly the best, inasmuch as they are stronger and better rooted than those that are produced later in the season; further than this, we do not believe there is any.difference in the plants on a runner, or in their productiveness or the quality of the fruit which they will produce in after years.

Selection Of Plants #1

The central portion of the basket should be filled with upright plants of a neat dwarf habit, and around the edge those of creeping or trailing growth. But while a basket filled with any bright thrifty plants of suitable habit of growth is a thing of beauty, it is far better to make such a combination of color as to present a harmonious living picture. The colors, not only of the flowers, but also of the foliage employed, should be studied with a view to this effect. Our greenhouses furnish such a variety of plants with ornamental foliage - crimson, golden, white, bronze, purple, and silvery-grey - that almost any desired effect of color can be produced independently of the blossoms. When a less complicated style is preferred, a basket may be made beautiful by its very simplicity. In such cases a single plant is sufficient, provided it makes up, by its luxuriance of growth, for the lack of variety. We saw a very attractive basket recently, which was completely wreathed with the rich foliage and bright mauve-colored flowers of an Ivy Geranium. A plant of Saxifraga sarmentosa, sometimes called Strawberry Geranium, set in the centre of a small basket, will soon cover the surface with leaves, while the long tendrils and tassel-like stolons droop gracefully down the sides.

Another useful plant in this way is the Convolvulus mauritanicus, a single specimen of which will soon make the basket a rich mass of bright green foliage and blue flowers. No one need be deprived of hanging-baskets on account of remoteness from greenhouses, or inability to purchase greenhouse plants. No baskets are produced more exquisite than can be made by judicious use of the plants found in the forests and fields. The basket itself may be made of woven twigs, the end of a little barrel covered over with rustic branches and roots, or a framework of brass or galvanized iron wire. Then, for filling, the forest furnishes abundance of Moss, rich light soil, and Ferns, Partridge Berry, Saxifrages, and all the immense variety of other plants which love to nestle in its shades, or seek its open sunny banks.