VERANDA-BOXES, WINDOW-BOXES, VASES 129 
swept position. A favorite combination 1s dracae- 
nas, Nutt or Beauté Poitevine, with the variegated 
vinca as a front border. The lover of plants de- 
sirous of artistic effects will not be content, however, 
to go by fixed rules where so many opportunities for 
expression of individual taste are offered. 
There are two warnings to be given in addition 
to the suggestions above. Do not attempt to crowd 
too many plants into the small space available; re- 
member that as a safe rule the most pleasing re- 
sults will be obtained by the use of a very few kinds 
and colors. A good way to be sure of not making 
mistakes is to fill the boxes to within three or four 
inches of the top, arrange the plants, still in their 
pots, until a satisfactory picture is designed, and 
then fill up with soil and plant. 
Vases usually have three serious drawbacks; they 
are very restricted in size, are exposed to the most 
drying action of winds and sun, and are not con- 
veniently watered. The last two disadvantages can 
be to some extent overcome by placing them in situ- 
ations at least partially sheltered and shaded, and 
by running a half-inch or three-quarter inch pipe 
(which may be bought second hand for two 
to four cents a foot, while good hose costs sixteen 
to eighteen), a few inches under the sod and up to 
the top of the vase. Such a pipe should be detached 
and drained in the fall and will last many years; the 
few feet running up to the vase will be sufficiently 
