WINDOW - GARDENS 245 



the burning gas vitiates the atmosphere. Most living-rooms 

 have too dry air for plants. In such cases the bow window 

 may be set off from the room by glass doors ; one then has a 

 miniature conservatory. 



While keeping the plants at a suitable temperature, we 

 must not forget that plants love moisture, or a humid atmos- 

 phere, and, that our living-rooms ordinarily are very dry. A 

 pan of water on the stove or on the register and damp moss 

 among the pots, will afford plants the necessary humidity. 



The foliage will need cleansing from time to time to free 

 it from dust. A bath tub provided with 

 a ready outlet for the water is an excel- 

 lent place for this purpose. The plants 

 may be turned on their sides and sup- 

 ported on a small box above the bottom 

 of the tub. Then they may be freely 

 syringed without danger of making the 

 soil too wet. It is usually advisable not 

 to wet the flowers, however, especially 

 the white waxen kinds, like hyacinths. 

 The foliage of Rex begonias should be 

 cleansed with a piece of dry or only A window-box 



slightly moist cotton. But if the leaves 

 can be quickly dried off by placing them in the open air 

 on mild days, or moderately near the stove, the foliage may 

 be syringed. 



The window-box in the room will be seen near at hand, 

 so may be more or less ornamental in character. The sides 

 may be covered with ornamental tile held in place by mould- 

 ing; or a light lattice-work of wood surrounding the box 

 is pretty. But a neatly made and strong box of about the 

 dimensions mentioned on page 242, with a strip of moulding 

 at the top and bottom, answers just as well ; and if painted 

 green, or some neutral shade, only the plants will be seen or 

 thought of. Brackets, jardinieres and stands may be pur- 

 chased of any of the larger florists. 



