IN CALIFORNIA 97 



repotting and interferes less with the roots and their 

 functions and is advised in cases where it would seem 

 to be sufficient to meet the demands of the plant, as 

 may easily be the case if the potting soil is very rich. 

 The use of liquid fertilizer or concentrated forms of 

 dry commercial chemical fertilizers that are nearly 

 odorless is becoming so common that we find it safe 

 to do away with repotting for a long time, depend- 

 ing on the concentrated food furnished by these fer- 

 tilizers rather than fresh soil as heretofore. Re- 

 liable fertilizers are prepared on scientific formulas 

 and contain all the elements necessary for plant 

 growth in the most convenient and available form. 

 Repotting should generally be done in the spring and 

 before the plant makes its annual growth. There 

 will come to most plants a time when they seem 

 almost dormant, but after they have had a good 

 resting spell there will be signs of renewed growth 

 quite apparent to the observant grower. This is the 

 time to repot them. It is well to keep all freshly 

 potted or repotted plants from both wind, sun, or 

 rapid changes of temperature for several days and 

 sprinkle them lightly two or more times each day 

 for the first week. This treatment will aid mate- 

 rially in overcoming any shock the plant may have 

 received through injury or disturbance of its roots. 



WINDOW BOXES 



Buildings whose lines of architecture are unus- 

 ually stiff and conventional and whose colors are 

 quiet, like the Quaker drab of many plastered resi- 

 dences, need the vine and window garden more than 

 others. Delicate growth of vines takes away the 

 harsh effect of too many straight lines, softening 

 them into harmony with the surroundings. They 

 also relieve the glaring effect of plain walls of brick, 



