Rural School Leaflet 



1.^39 



stages in plant development, it is better to obtain larger plants for the 

 window boxes. 



For quicker effects, it is possible to take plants from the garden and 

 plant them in window boxes. Geraniums are very satisfactory when 

 treated in this way; petunias, heliotrope, and salvia are also satisfactory. 

 Just before frost in the fall, these plants may be carefully lifted from the 

 soil with a garden spade. Most of the soil is shaken from the roots, and 

 the plants should be severely cut back so that Httle foliage is left on them. 

 They should then be planted in the center of the window boxes and watered 



A border planting of tulips 



thoroughly. They are rather unsightly for the first few weeks, but soon 

 young leaves appear, and in a short time the stems are covered with a mass 

 of green foliage. Flowers soon develop. Old plants are much more 

 prolific of bloom during the winter than are those propagated from cuttings. 

 Usually some liberal-hearted flower grower may be found in every com- 

 mimity, who will gladly contribute the plants from his garden for this 

 purpose. These will form a setting for the window boxes, and among 

 them freesia bulbs may be planted. When the outdoor potted bulbs 

 have developed a strong root system, they may be carefully rapped 

 from the pots and planted in the window boxes. Here they will flower 

 much better even than in pots. Care should be taken not to injure the 

 root system severely in transplanting. 



