THE PARLOR 



Measure off pieces for the top and bottom of 

 a length corresponding to the width of the 

 window, from casing to casing. For the sides, 

 have pieces as long as the window is high. 

 When the sides and ends are put together, you 

 will have a box without a bottom, just the size 

 of the window-frame. This is to be fitted 

 snugly against the frame, and fastened there 

 securely. The front of the box is to be fitted 

 with glass doors, hinged at the sides to admit 

 of their opening in the middle. Have the glass 

 in these doors as large as possible, so that as 

 little as possible of the interior of the case will 

 be hidden. Half-way up the window a shelf 

 can be thrown across, if thought desirable, but 

 the best pictorial effect is secured by omitting 

 shelves, as they not only obstruct the upward 

 growth of a tall plant, but detract from the ap- 

 pearance of the window, as pots on them will be 

 so conspicuous as to prove annoying to the eye, 

 though vines can be trained over them in such 

 a manner as to hide their unsightliness to a 

 great degree. A much more satisfactory effect 

 is secured by leaving out the shelf, or shelves, 

 and giving up the entire center of the window 

 to a plant tall enough to reach almost to its top. 

 Train vines up the sides to hide the interior of 



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