The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-11

Of any size to At the sill or porch
front. Best results cannot be obtained
in box less than six inches deep and
eight inches wide. inside measurement.
When a wide window is to be fur
nished the boxes should be made in
sections Of three feet in length-or
less, IL they are both wide and deep"
1t Is much easier as a rule to I'LL the
boxes with soil and plants when stand
ing on solid ground than it is when
perched on a ladder. When boxes are
longer than three feet they are so
heavy that it is quite an engineering
feat to hoist them to an upper story
window.
White pine Is suitable wood for
the manufacture of window boxes. The
lumber should be planed both sides
and should be about an inch thick.
If the insides can be charred before
the boxes are put together they will
last much longer. Paint also acts as
preventative. but l think 1t is not
much relished by the plant roots.
Holes about half an inch in diameter
should be bored in the bottom of the
box at intervals OF six inches to pro-
vide for the escape of surplus mois-
ture. The outside of the box can be
painted to suit the taste OF the owner
pr eferably a subdued color that will
harmonic with the house paint.
The soil used should be Of good
| quality and very fertile. The reason
for this is obvious when one remem-
| bers that to get good effects a large
| number of plants. each having roots
| clamorous for food, nut be crowded
into small space. A mixture in the
proportions Of two bushels of good
, sandy loan, half bushel of well de-
cayed manure. and one fourth bushel
! of leaf-mold will be found satisfactory
for most plants. The addition of a
: pint of bonemeal to each bushel of
| soil is helpful.
When the soil has become filled with
| root, occasional waterings with weak
| liquid manure is an advantage. II this
| Is not convenient, or for any reason
undesirable, complete commercial
FERTILIZER may be scattered on the sur
race OF the soil and lightly scratched
in with a claw weeder or similar tool.
The quantity to Use is dependent upon
-
level tablespoon OF fertilizer to each
square foot OF surface will usually
| suffice. Watering must, of course he
, attended to whenever the plants need
! 1t. and this as a rule il every dav
| during the hot days of summer when
/ the box is filled with roots. The water
ing must be thorough so that the soil
is wet from top to bottom.
III boxes other than the "self-water-
ing Kind are used, an inch or 40
or broken pots or coarse ashes should
be placed in the bottom to provide
! drainage. When sods are available
they can be used to advantage, placed
grass side downwards. directly over
the broken pots or ashes. This will
| prevent the fine soil from sitting
uown and clogging the drainage. When
the boxes have been filled with soil
all Is ready for the reception of the
plants. When planting. pack the
earth firmly around the roots and
make sure that no crevices are left
untitled with soil.
The aim TO be followed in most cases
IN window box gardening is to render
the receptacle as unobtrusive as nos
| slole. This can best be Accomplished
by using plain boxes, painted a sudued
color, and by the use OF trailing plants.
which when we'll grown will in many
cases completely hide the container.
Best results are usually otained
When partly grown plants are set out.
when this is not considered desirable
good effects can be obtained by sowing
seeds of quick growing annual plants
directly in the boxes.
Those who can afford to spend the
time and money need experience no
dificulty in having window boxes we'll
FURNISHED with handsome plants
throughout the entire year. In win
ter hardy dwarf evergreens, such as
lockwood, young pines, spruce. arbor-
vite and jumpers may be used in the
body of the box with English ivy to
trail over the edge. In early spring
various Dubious plants-tulips, crocus
and daffodils-are available. Double
English daisies or pansies may also be
used. There is. OF course, no difficulty
whatever In obtaining plants to oc-
cupy the boxes during the summer.
There is a large number OF plants
that are suitable for window and porch
box gardening. Among them may be
found those that will thrive in sun,
shade or part shade. Names Of plants
that can be used in different aspects
will be found listed below. Plants for
window boxes can he roughly grouped
In three divisions-trailers. plants of
medium size for the second row and
taller ones for the back row. There is
nothing hard and fast about these
divisions. In small boxes 1t is ad-
visatae TO dispense with the taller
kinds, and sometimes an excellent ef-