WINDOW AND 



seems moist enough, while examination would 

 show that two or three inches below the sur- 

 face it is really dry. In such a soil the roots 

 of the plants can not flourish, and, as a natural 

 consequence, failure, either complete or com- 

 parative, results. The misleading appearance 

 of the surface-soil is the rock upon which nine 

 out of ten window-box gardeners find ship- 

 wreck. When they give the matter careful 

 consideration, and understand that it takes a 

 good deal of water to thoroughly saturate all 

 the soil contained in a box a foot wide and a 

 foot deep, and as long as the window is wide, 

 then they will understand the whys and where- 

 fores of their failure. The fact is, every such 

 box should be given at least a pailful of water 

 daily, while nearly all get only a quart or 

 two. You must keep all the soil moist, at all 

 times, if you expect your plants to develop 

 roots in it. Keep this in mind, and water 

 accordingly, and there is no reason why just 

 as healthy plants cannot be grown in a win- 

 dow-box as in the garden beds. To sum up- 

 liberal watering is the secret of successful win- 

 dow-box gardening. 



Not all plants are adapted to this phase of 

 gardening. What is wanted is something that 



150 



