The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-06-09
ESTABLISHED 1865.
Window Flower Boxes.

Window flower boxes have long been in
use In England, France, and Germany, and
| thcy add not little to the adOrnment of
the small cottage, and the elegant villa, or
the city home, III brick block. They can
DC made OF soap box, painted green, and
| attached to the house with strong IRON
brackets, or they can be constructed of
| elegant tiles, and arranged on ornamental
supports 80 that they can be brought within
the means of every lover of flowers who
is willing to take small amount of trouble
to procure them, and to care for them.
The earth should be OF itch, but lipht
soil, 80 that 1t will not become too compact
in the boxes. For the city window boxes
it would tie best to purchase 1t by the
baskctful OF the florists. In the country it
can be obtained from the woods or the gar
den close at hand but it must be friable
and wcll-mixcd with dccomposed stable
oilal. Have the boxes made foot in
depth, and not over sixteen inches in width.
The length should project little ways
past the window coping. A carpenters aid
may be required to fastcn them securely to
the hous' Have this done before the
earth is put in. At the bottom of the box
put layer of charcoal broken no into
small bits. This will keep the earth sweet.
also give good drainage.
Then fill in the earth and press t down
firmly, because it will pack Il liltle when
watcrcd, and it is easier to fill il fu)l
emo igh at the first start before it is plan
ted.
The boxes should be painted a dark
green or brown, and two coats will be
needed to keep them in good order.
Place the boxes in Il south west position
so that they can have the advantage OF the
most sunlight but south westerly win
dow will DO better than northern aspcct
1t Is very desirable to have strong wires
inserted ut each side Of :hc boxes and car
rtcd up to the tops of the windows uron
which to train vines and Crcepcrs of various
KINDS. Nasturliums are verv popular plants
Tor window boxes, because they grow so
rapidly and produce such an abundant
supply OF tlowcls. Convolvolus and swee,
peas can also be sown ut the sides OF The
boxes and trained upon the v nes.
10 plant window boxes with tuste il
very essential to their beauty and contin-
uity.
In The centre of the box the tallest grow
ing plants should be placed. A sDeciosa
J"chsia, surrounded with the varlogatcd.
timely art-leaved colens, mingled with brown
and yellow calceolnrias, and edged with
mlgn ,nette, with nnsLurtiums trained at
the sides, will be very handsome from
May to November 81
Another corner could be planted WIKI
arlct Il white gcranlums in the I&y
double petuIias, pix, white, and crik{lsol
and white striped, surrounding theE, and
musk plant with loballa OH the outside.
Hcllotropcs, roses, and carnations, with
an edglng OF buff and brown nasturtiums
10 Train over the box i'll front, and canary
crecpers and cypress vine rs climbers on
Inc side wires, would make handsome
window box.
dcraniums and fcver-fc VS., mingled with
ANIMALS, such as stocks, aslers, balsams.
mignonettcs, and sweet alyss,,m, would e.
another box, ~ 4 small expense.
Sow the seed in April, and when tl,ev
have thrown out their second leaves thin
them out, leaving good space between
each one. II left too closely planted they
will not bloom handsomely, but will be
wire drawn and wectiy.
Creeping plants can be trained with
twinc by mailing few small nails into the
DoX and also into the house, and twist
ing the twnc about them.
Regular watcrings should be given every
night, ana If the night has been very hot,
in the morning also.
Indeed throughout the surlmcr the soil
mast not become dust dry, or baked; but
do not give water when the sunlight falls
directly upon them; wait until they are
shaded.
When the leaves are dusty sponge them
OF or sprinkle by dipping a small hand
broom into water and shaking II over them.
Window boxes can be 80 arranged and
cared for that they Will make the smallest
house beautiful. The fading flowers and
leaves must be carefully cut oil, and every
thing should be neat and nice about them.
1t Is said that flies will never enter a win.
dow thus filled with flowers, and mosqui-
toes arc also kept at distance.