PLANTS FOR WINDOW BOXES 



147 



box is to put in a layer of broken crocks as drainage, to fill up 

 with soil, and to put the plants in it, pulling them out when 

 they finish flowering and sub- 

 stituting others, frequently 

 without any change of soil. 

 Under these conditions it is 

 not surprising that the results 

 are far from satisfactory. It is 

 very much better to line the 

 box with moss or fibre — moss 

 should be carefully examined 

 for slugs before it is used — 

 and to sink in it the plants in 

 their pots. They can then be 

 changed without any trouble. 

 Moreover, the roots, instead 

 of wandering away to the 

 sides of the box where they 

 are more liable to be dried up, 

 are confined to the centre, 

 and much of the surplus water 

 which would escape from the 

 soil and run down the wall is 

 absorbed by the moss or fibre, 

 thus helping to keep the roots 

 moist, and lessening the labour 

 of watering. Of course the 

 pots in this case must be 

 small, and as the plants grow, 

 especially after they begin to 

 flower, they will require more 

 food, which can be given to 

 them by means of an artificial 

 fertiliser. The rule here, as 

 always, should be weak and 



often. If it is not possible to keep the foliage clean while 

 the plants are in the box, they should be taken out occasion- 

 ally and thoroughly syringed. 



Fig. 63. — Window Box, with 

 the rain falling outside it 

 and leaving it quite dry. 



