New-York tribune., 1900-09-29
WINTER WINDOW BOXES.
PLANTS SUITED TO SUN AND SHADE
VARIETIES THAT WILL THRIVE
TOGETHER

To make a window box that will be a thing OF
beauty all winter is not easy to any but the
real enthusiast for whom plant grows and thrives
seemingly under all circumstances. 1t is much the
same with the management of plants as It is with
children. Some come up and brought
up. But with both success depends upon the OBJ
servance Of natural laws. Ferns will refuse to
thrive in the soil in which flourish best and
vice versa. Some plants require little moisture.
and others a great deal. while the atmosphere in
which they are kept is largely responsible for the
amount of water required.
PROPER KIND OF BOX
The first requisite for window box is strong
tight box lined with zinc tin. and provided with
two little holes In the bottom for drainage The
latter needfuI because there is general tend
ency to be overgenerous with water. Plants
Quiring the general conditions of SOIL light and
moisture should be put together. For a box
tanning Towering plants east south window
is necessary, because they require the sun. A
pretty, though formal arrangement for such box
would be dracsna. for height in the centre, and
a couple each of geraniums and fuchsias either
side. Carnations and Chinese primroses could
also be added, well a couple of ardisias, the
red berries and evergreen foliage of which remain
brilliant throughout the season. Dwarf varieties
Of ferns will make pretty filters for the ends of
the box. while lycopodium and tradescantia can
be filled in around the sides and edges. Dwarf
Towering geraniums In white. scarlet and pink will
be the best choice. OF dracanas there are many
varieties. and all are attractive. There few
Towering winter begonas that could be introduced
with good results.
PREPARING THE SOIL.
For the soil a generous supply of leaf mould and
sand will be required. An excellent formula would
be one-hah leaf mould. one-fourth soil and
fourth small pieces of charcoal and coarse sand
mixed. To protect the plants at night and during
exceptionally cold and windy days a sash curtain
should be arranged This will furnish a pretty
background when either drawn open. and can be
supplemented by newspapers when necessary.
Plants should never be subjected to draughts and
window should never in chilly weather be opened
directly upon them. A sudden chill will back
a vigorous plant and retard its growth oftentimes
permanently. If the window must be open during
sweeping. care should be taken that windows and
doors opposite closed. AS to water that must
De ef uo5 to the te of the de-
kept A good soaking twice a week would be a
no water is needed sheif aboye Se the no boR 09r OF
W At 5he 20 of t the W. & for pots of
For these English German ivy vines are pretty.
Mixed Varieties of nasturtiums would give a sum
merry effect, and could be arranged in an entire
screen Nasturtiums need rich soil
WILL BLOOM WITHOUT THE SUN.
For north window a box of hardy ferns. with
a small palm two such as the Kentia arca or
choice cocos. is suitable Excellent for this is the
Cyperus altinafolia, commonly known as the Nile
grass. which fourishes equally well in an aquarium
with the goldfish in iron garden vase that
gets as dry at times sand pile. Whatever it's
resources for sustaining life the plant will stand
o.
much or too little water For the north window
brackets bra Chinese primroses can be used. as they
Will give color and will bloom without the
A great many pretty thing written about the
ease with which orchids be raised outside the
greenhouse, and housewives told that If they
only think so they will find these plants quite
as susceptible to cultivation in the living room
in the dollhouse. On the contrary, growers Of
orchids declare that form of orchid will thrive
in the atmosphere of the living room. and this
statement is substantiated by the testimony of
many expermenters.
CARE OF THE RUBBER PLANT
Rubber plants, palms and the Boston fern are all
decorative house plants and easy cutiva-
ton. The rubber plant wants a liberal supply of
water and sun. Given these. and It will stand no
end OF family abuse. 1t about the easiest living
thing in the world to FOR. The palm needs
good deal of moisture, but sunlight, and the
Boston fern requires absolute shade.
When the edges of the leaves of a plant begin
to look yellow and it shows symptoms OF poor
health it IS well to change its position. and to give
it light and water. If in two three days il
does not seem to be looking up it is pretty GER
tain to be overpotted. That is the pot large
and the earth has become sour because the roots
could not absorb all of the moisture In this case
the ball of earth removed, with the ends OF the
roots To do this the earth should be gently shaken
from the roots. Sometimes it is best to wash them
clean in a tub of water. The plant then be
put into a smaller pot While plants are still
thrifty it is sometimes we'll to add a very little
patent fertilizer to the water which is given
them.
Gas IS especially injurious to all ferns which
seem to be more susceptible to its odor than other
forms OF vegetation.