60 GARDEN AND FARM TOPICS. 



and the boxes are exposed to the full glare of the noon- 

 day sun, no light sprinkling will answer ; the water must 

 be poured on until it runs out at the bottom of the box. 

 If, however, they are partly shaded, or if the weather be 

 cloudy or wet, judgment, of course, must be used in the 

 matter of watering. The rule with all plants in pots or 

 boxes is, never to water until the soil is dry, and then 

 water thoroughly. This dryness can be determined by 

 the soil getting lighter in color, or by examination by 

 stirring it up with the fingers. 



HANGING BASKETS. 



V 



These may be formed of materials similar to those 

 used for window boxes, although the usual kinds are 

 such as are formed of rustic work and wire. These last 

 are rather the best suited for the health of the plants ; 

 for, as in window boxes so made, they allow full oppor- 

 tunity for the free passage of water from the soil, and for 

 the admission of air to the roots. As hanging baskets 

 are exposed on all sides to the air, they will require more 

 attention in watering than window boxes. The simplest 

 and most efficient way, after the plants have become well 

 established, is, when dry, to immerse the whole basket in 

 a tub of water. This is particularly essential, if the 

 basket is made of wire or any such material. Rustic 

 baskets, of course, do not drain off so freely, and immers- 

 ing them in water is not so essential, so that the rule for 

 watering window boxes may be adapted to them. The 

 plants for hanging baskets may be similar to those used 

 for window boxes, except that it conduces much to the 

 appearance of the baskets to have some graceful plant 

 placed in the center of each for that purpose. Nothing 

 is better than some of the Palms or Dracaenas. Of Palms, 



