Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-15

geraniumS, petuniaS, sweet alySSun'
ferns and other plants may be grown
in these boxes. It is a good idea TO
put in each box a separate kind or va
riety of flowers. Let the contrasts
come from several boxes rather than
to strive to get all the contrasts from
one box Some plants are also hungry
feeders and should not be put in small
boxes which would be suitable for less
ravenous plants.
Use the best loan in the boxes and
have it mixed by florist. After putting
plenty Of drainage in the bottom Of the
box, such as old broken pots, bricks or
stones, as suggested above. put coarse
screenings, and on this the loan to
within half an inch of the top.
No matter how rich the earth is In
the boxes, the tiny roots soon take the
best nourishing substance out of 1t and
it is then necessary to enrich the loam
You can do this by digging out as much
loan as possible from the top of the
box without disturbing the roots Of the
plants Replace the poor loan with
some that is fresh and full of nourish-
ment Leaf mold and we'll decayed sod
Is best. That should be done about the
middle of Summer. Give frequent
Waterings with manure water.
With poor loan and plenty OF water
1t Is possible to keep plants in flourish
Ing COIlQ1blOIl lOT several udSSt Dub Will
the best of loan and insufficient water
ing the chances for keeping the plants
alive are slim. The limited quantity OF
earth in the boxes quickly dries out
and the rapid evaporation makes ire
quent watering necessary.
A kitchen window affords a good
place for small flower box, where 1t
will be greatly appreciated. and second
floor windows are acceptable for adorn-
hull &hnf Ff
the plants from inside is convenient. A
house with wide porch in front, placed
directly on the ground, may have tall
juniper or arbCrvitae at each pillar,
with climbing roses or hardy vines to
cover the pillars. Evergreens or shrubs
may be grouped at the corners and the
rest OF the porch left bare.
Water Gardens.
water garden is the simplest form
Of dish garden which provides little
greenery for indoors with virtually no
trouble at all 1t requires only pebbles
or stones, a plant to be arranged with
them in picture suggestion of outdoors,
water and a decorative dish which in
some way forms note of color har-
mony on a table or desk, or near a
window. Add TO this, in picture-mak-
ing suggestion, figure of garden in
tereSt, and the dish with your water
garden Is complete. There is no earth
in the preparation of this garden. This
plant Is water grower and its roots
are submerged. 1t lives and thrives
and puts out new shoots. new leaves.
while its roots grow among pebbles or
marble chips in the bottom of the dish.
California redwood burl is good for
Indoor plant growing. When placed in
water 1t sprouts numerous fern-like
fronds which spread graceful lines of
bright emerald The redwood burls
may be bought at flower and japanese
stores, where dish garden supplies are
to be found. The Chinese evergreen
may be used in grouped stalks in a
large dish or single stalks in a smaller
dish. It's leaves are like satin and very
graceful. It may be bought at florist
or small japanese stores or in depart
ment stores.
Chinese cranes or japanese dish
garden figures combine well in making
or suggesting landscape pictures in
water garden dishes, but use should be
made only Of figures that are unusual
and choice, among which are porcelain
or pottery birds, butterflies, frogs and
ducks.
Common roots may be used in water
gardens. The humble carrot has fern
like leaves, and so have beets and
parSnips, and beets add color. Espe-
cialy good is horseradlsh root, as its
tall leaves twist and curve like a tropi-
cal plant and are very decorative.
When using these vegetables, cut from
them all withered foliage and as much
OF the base as Is not needed. Leave In
water in the dark until the roots start.
then transfer them to the water garden.
Unless heat is excessive, or sun intense,
a water plant will grow without renew
ing the water for several days.