The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-24

never know the joys of the seasons in the country, which should be our world. Occasionally some kind earth-dweIler brings us withered pome- granate, wherewith we must be content. We have, however, one advantage which the daughter of Ceres lacked-no heavy penal. attaches to our bringing into our own lives some of the fresh ness and beauty of the country spring and summer. A little labor, less ex- pense, and it is in great measure ours.
 The girl who makes a window garden does so usually, unfortunately, for the purpose of raising rare flowers or cu- rious plants-unfortunatel that is. for herself; for while she tends her Chinese lilies or her pepper plant, she is gaining only one tithe of the pleasure that would be hers had she grown the simple plants and vegetables of our own countryside. and she is, besides.' missing the benefit which these plants would be to her, prepared and eaten at her own table.
 There is, however, no reason why she should rot both cultivate her taste for beautiful things and satisfy her longing to be healthy and attractive. It will be easy enough for her to have two gar dens, one of flowers and one of useful herbs. In one she may grow, as her fancy dictates. sturdy plants from the North, exquisite bulb flowers from a warmer land or the dear and familiar flowers that every country child knows by sight and name; in the other she may plant the humble chives, chicory, endfves. leeLj, rhubarb, etc, all prime stimulants for the sluggish liver which so often manifests itself about March or April, and brings with it a host of complexion ills. Watercress and let tTce, too, especially the Romaine va- rsety of the latter. are easily grown, and will supply for many a bachelor girls table the delicacies of the rich.
 FEW MATERIALS NEEDED
 It would seem that there could be but one drawback to all this-that many climates are too cold to permit of win dow gardens in the early spring, often more resembling late winter It is not necessary, however, that these boxes be in the open air at all A sunny window, a few shallow boxes or flats" a small hand sprinkler, with perhaps swinging Iron brackets, screwed to the window castings and holding flower pots, are all the outfit necessary. The fact that the garden" is grown inside the house permits of more space also. 50 that the variety and number of both vegetables and towering plants may be increased.
 It is impossible to give here detailed directions for the preparation of soil, planting, cultivating, etc, but any scotsman can give full information, es- pecially if one's seeds, bulbs and slips are bought from him. If possible, how ever. 1t would be best to get ones herbs direct from the country itself, if only because of the lasting health and pleasure gained from March day spent In the free wind and open air.
 The chief benefit from this hobby is in fact. the time 1t forces one to be in the air. or at least in close contact with green, growing things. Little by little, as ones plants become ones dearest care, their good work becomes manifest, until when ''reaping time is over and ones miniature harvest decks ones breakfast table, one suddenly finds that the seasons work has brought something more than mere pleasure, and that complexion, hair, eyes and general health have no more the old spring blemishes. but that one has emerged from the regime the better for ' in mind and body.