New-York tribune., 1901-07-06
SUMNER DELIGHT.
THE RARE WINDOW GARDEN OF THE
CITY AND PLANTS THAT GIVE
SATISFACTORY RESULTS.

II lover Of the country must be city bound
turing the summer deprived. except on rare holi-
lay excursions of the delights of field and forest
1 window box well managed Will afford good deal
If real JOY. To the street alone they lend
ndescrbable air of gayety and festivity. combined
with q suggestion OF home comfort which is in
Taluable Surely II street signs and advertisements
ire worthy the consideration Of municipal art
.eties. window gardens might well be encouraged
by them also.
In other cities little judicious encoura cement in
he way Of competition and prizes in the poorer
Tuarters for the best displays has worked wonders
md in English country life has been feature
Tor generations. In villages the local flower
hows are held monthly throughout the garden
pason and the prizes. small in monetary value.
IRE awarded for simple exhibits that excellent
s their kind. AS result, the gardens of such dis
.riets are beauty spots. The love Of flowers has
been cultivated TO a passion in the English rural
Eistricts. and OF the best and most popular
hardy garden plants in worldwide use to-day have
been discovered and brought to perfection by Eng
ash cottagers.
OF course, the hotels restaurants and clubs order
their window boxes they do the rest of their
furniture. and the florist provides them with what
his fancy dictates. Equally, Of course the
handsome houses of the city stand sombre and un-
adorned because their start for the country
Just such work would naturally begin. But If
pne who is TO remain in town all summer has not
the means desire TO order her box ready made.
rare opportunity is left for the Towering OF ones
personal taste
It is well TO remember that geraniums are easy
70 cultivate respond readily 10 care. blossom freely
and will make gorgeous spots of bloom upon the
dusty window sill. Scarlet saliva. too is standard
Roses it IS advisable 70 try the first summer.
They require special skill and knowledge. Mas
turtiurns are warranted 10 blossom all summer If
planted in sandy soil which is not too rich and if
they watered discreetly.
To keen the plants in thrifty condition the bios
should be picked before they begin TO wither-
good rule 10 follow with all plants Runners too,
should be pinched back, TO make the plants more
sturdy. Primroses. phlox, begonias. mignonette,
sweet alyssum, marguerites. Verbenas, balsaIns
lobelia, Iarkspur netunias and candy tuft all
suited to window box gardening and mass OF
German forget Will almost deude one into
thinking that bit Of the sky has dropped on the
sill Most OF the hardy ANIMALS can be raised from
The seeds if one is willing 10 expend trouble
cultivation is always rare source OF pleasure.
Annuals should be sown six weeks before they
earth cover them Until the plants begin TO
show the box or jar in which they are planted
the sun. The seeds should be watered lightly from
q can having fine spray in order that they shall
not be washed from the soil.
except in the hands OF skilled gardeners. The very
features that make them attractive are their un-
they have lost their strength If all the flowers
and buds picked from such plant and II is
allowed TO regain its normal strength before 1t
blossoms the poor little street plant may respond
10 good care in spite Of early drawbacks. The
foliage should be washed every day IN a very weak
spoonful 10 gallon is the right proportion). A
little fertilizer a week will also be helpful.
successful flower growers because they keep their
plants TOO wet and do not keep the foliage free
y is dry and the leaves should be washed fire.
eoently. One-fourth Of the soil of the box should
pe sand so that the water will not stand in the
son For the same reason, layer Of charcoal
shoald be placed in the bottom Of the box.