CHAPTER X 



WINDOW AND PORCH BOXES 



The box may be as simple or as elaborate as one's 

 means permit, but it must be borne in mind that the 

 contents are the primal idea in its inception, the thing 

 for which the box exists and, when once planted and 

 sufficiently grown to be really effective, little if any- 

 thing of the box will be seen. That it should be sub- 

 stantial and roomy enough for the purpose, inconspic- 

 uous enough to detract nothing from the contents 

 and, if of wood, of a style and color to correspond 

 with the house is really all that is required. 



The metal boxes have much to recommend them, as 

 they contain reservoirs for the storage of water and 

 thus require less attention than one of wood, but 

 simple boxes made from six or eight-inch lumber, well 

 caulked with white lead before nailing together, sup- 

 plied with a drainage hole near the bottom at one 

 end, and fitted with a plug, will answer every pur- 

 pose. Even the boxes in which scythes come can be 

 utilized quite satisfactorily, but will require more 

 water than a more substantially built box. A box 



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