The same writer says: "Every case I recollect of seeing ivy and flowers associated, the effect was agreeable. I have Been hundreds of ladies admiring, and investigating the modus operandi of hillocks, or baskets of flowers, formed simply by driving rough pieces of wood into the ground, covering them with ivy, and filling the space within with earth and plants, having some of the outside rows of the latter of such a character as to interlace a little with and fall over the ivy. I lately saw a nice ivy basket on the lawn. Originally, a basket had been made, with one central stem to support it, and against this ivy had been planted, trained up and round the basket. The original basket has long been gone, but the ivy retains the shape, and bears, without flinching, the weight of the earth and plants; the diameter of the basket being, so far as I recollect, something about four feet".

Baskets #1

The beauty of many of the summer baskets such as Achimenes, Begonias, etc., will be over, and must be replaced by such as Cethouna, Crassifolia, Epiphyllums and Achyranthus; these last are capital for giving color to a warm greenhouse in winter, and much more effective than when seen growing below the level of the eye; small, well colored plants of Dracaenas are also good for center of winter baskets.

Cyclamens - These plants will require fresh potting during this month; the proper time is as soon as growth begins, which is seen by small young leaves pushing from the crown of bulb. It is an open question if it is best to bury the bulb in potting or to leave it partially above the soil? We prefer to bury it while small, but find very large bulbs frequently rot if covered with soil, from the water lodging in the crown. There is no doubt many roots will form round the top of bulb if buried, but the risk of decay does not compensate for this. These fine plants grow best placed near the glass in a warm greenhouse and shaded from bright sunshine; they also require careful watering until the pots are well filled with roots, for if the soil gets too wet when first potted, the plants never grow satisfactory. These plants are among the most satisfactory, either for greenhouse decorations or as window plants; they last a long time in flower, have a great variety of color, from pure white to rosy crimson, including striped and spotted varieties, are very sweet-scented, and are also very easily grown by amateurs or professional plant-growers. Any good soil which will grow a geranium is suitable for these plants, with the addition of extra sand or grit to keep it open.

Chinese Primulas will require a shift into larger pots as soon as the pots are well filled with roots, which they should be, early in this month, if former directions have been attended to; six and seven-inch pots are the most useful size to flower these plants in, except for a few extra large specimens, for which we use nine-inch size. These plants would come in well if required for exhibition, but it is useless to have plants in these large pots unless they are very extra strong, for if overwatered, they would probably rot off at the surface. In potting these plants be careful to sink the old bulb low enough for the soil to cover the stem up to the leaves, for the best roots usually form just below the foliage, and if potted high, the plant is always loose in the pot and liable to break off when moved.

Gloxinias and Achimenes will, with the exception of late plants, be gone to rest, and may be kept dry and placed away under the stage, but not in a cold place or the bulbs will decay.

Baskets #2

The most desirable plants for winter baskets, either for rooms or greenhouse, are Echeverias and Epiphyllums, the earlier varieties of the latter will be now commencing to flower. These plants require very little attention, and are always satisfactory.

Crassula Lactea must now be allowed to get rather dry, and have the full sun, or it will not flower much. Eucharis must be also kept rather dry for a few weeks, but not enough to lose its foliage. If the plant is in good condition, and it has a brisk heat, it will flower well at the New Year.

Gesnerias, of the Zebrina class, if grown in a warm house will now be in full beauty, and make a fine show. They require liberal watering at this season, but be careful not to wet the foliage.

Grape-Vines, if grown on the roof of greenhouse may be now pruned, and the stems painted with clay and sulphur. This is the best preventive for mildew, which is very troublesome among European vines in this country. The vines should be turned down to the coolest part of the house, to prevent premature breaking of the buds.