WINDOW GARDENING 



19 



Belgian Window Gardens. 



These are built outside the win- 

 dow altogether. A slab runs out 

 directly from the window sill sup- 

 ported by brackets, and upon this ^ 

 is put a miniature green-house, con- ,,.,... 



structed of glass roof and wooden 



sides like designs Nos. 8 & 9. These - 



brackets below are generally very 



ornamental. Two or three shelves j 

 are placed inside on a row next to 

 the window well supported and 

 covered with pots. Care is taken 

 not to let the case go too high to ob- 

 struct the light from entering the 

 room, and ventilation is secured in 

 Fig. 8, by lifting up slightly the 

 lower portion of the glass roof. 

 The plants are watered and arranged 

 from the rooms within, as the win- 

 dows do not slide up and down, but 

 open inwardly on hinges. 



Fig. 9 is ventilated by a door at 

 the side or in front. An awning 

 may be provided in case of unusual 

 heat from the sun, which will aid in keeping the atmosphere cool, and prolong 

 the flowering considerably during the winter time. A thick covering is needed 

 in cool days, or a vessel of hot water may be placed inside, whose vapor will 

 warm the little room greatly. 



Figs. 10 & 11 represent a good continental style of a bow-window, where 

 olants are out of the way of ordinary passing about in the room. Shelves are 

 arranged around the entire window, and upon them are placed the pots of plants. 

 In this case they should be of highly ornamental foliage, and free growth. A 

 curved settee is placed just inside the row, and in front, just at the entrance of 

 the recess, is a table for books. 



Fig. 12 is a design for a rustic window box, permanently fastened to the outer 

 side of the window case, decorated with Fuchsias, Ivy, Achyranthus, and droop- 

 ing vines. An awning with brightly colored strips .Ids greatly to the beauty. 



Among the more wealthy residents of German cities, a plant cabinet is often 

 found like Fig. 13. This is so made that its back is entirely open, and it can be 

 pushed up close to the window, fitting it snugly. It is elaborately decorated, and 

 quite costly. The door opens into the room, and the tops are ornamented with 

 pots of Cacti and Agaves. This is much the handsomest design for a plant cabi- 



Fi. 12. 



