INTRODUCTION 5 



these water-tight boxes with absolutely no provision for 

 drainage or the escape of surplus moisture from the bottom. 

 Evaporation takes place so rapidly from the upper surface 

 of the soil that, with any reasonable common sense in water- 

 ing, there is no danger of the souring of the soil .or of the 

 checking of the growth of the 

 plants. In watering it is only 

 necessary to pour in enough 

 water about twice a week to 

 saturate the soil and then to 

 leave it until the surface has 

 become dry again. 



These boxes should be re-en- 

 forced around the top with a 

 strip of wire, and if t hey are 

 very long another wire should 

 run across from side to side in 

 the middle. They can be made 

 by any tin-smith, and when 

 complete should cost about one 

 dollar apiece. They should be 

 painted on the outside, and at 

 least part of the way down on 

 the inside with dark-green carriage paint. When thus ready 

 for use they are to be filled with rich loamy garden soil, 

 Whereupon they may be utilized in growing almost any sort 

 of plant that will thrive in-doors. 



Instead of being made of zinc alone these boxes may be 

 made of wood and lined with zinc. The wood may be 

 finished to harmonize with the wood-work of the room. 

 Very attractive boxes may be made of old cedar wood. 



White Hyacinths in Paper Pot Set in 

 Jardiniere. 



