44B JUNIOR Naturalist Monthly. 



mealy kind, it will soon bake or become hard because of the frequent 

 watering. Florists use an earth prepared from rotted sods. That is the 

 best for window-boxes as well as pots. The rotted grass roots help to 

 prevent the packing of the soil which I have mentioned. If such soils 

 cannot be obtained, and garden soil is the next best that may be had, add 

 about one-third of woods earth. If not woods earth, add about the same 

 amount of sand. Mix well together and fill the box to within an inch of 

 the top after the soil grains are well jarred. Do not forget the jarring to 

 snuggle the grains of soil close together. 



In the choice of flowering plants for a beginner in window-box 

 gardening, select such as are capable of enduring the most neglect. With 

 all the good intentions that you may have to make plants comfortable 

 there will be times when the plants will suffer like the cast-away sailor at 

 sea. Tradescantai, more commonly known as the Wandering Jew, is a 

 plant that will stand a great deal of neglect. It does not mind discomfort 

 in its way any more than a clam does in his. It is not practical to raise 

 it from seed but it grows readily from cuttings. 



As yet we have said nothing about propagation of plants by cuttings 

 and I will mention only those coming from seed. To children just getting 

 their first experience in window-gardening, I shall recommend but few 

 plants, as one team of horses is more easily driven than four, six or eight. 

 Nasturtiums and Sweet Alyssum are easily managed. Petunias are good 

 when once started. The seed is as fine as dust and the young plants re- 

 quire much care. When petunias are once well established they are ex- 

 cellent for window-boxes, vases and hanging baskets. Pansies are some- 

 times used, but as they belong to the class of plants that never need an 

 overcoat on cold spring days, they suffer during the hot months of July 

 and August. It is during springs and falls when the days are shortening 

 and the nights lengthening that pansies are most comfortable. 



SOME VEGETABLES IN THE OPEN GROUND 



In the State of New York you should plant during the month of 

 April and early May, only cold-kwing plants — plants that do not require 

 3X1 overcoat every time a cold wind blows. In vegetables I will mention 

 for planting in the open ground : 



Peppergrass, lettuce, radish and spinach. 



When the hot days of July come, all of these will be harvested and 

 the same ground may be used for plants that enjoy weather when straw 

 hats arc worn. It is always best to raise two crops from the same piece 

 of ground during the same season, when the kinds of plants permit. 



