ANNUALS 125 



own their homes, but, on account of prefer- 

 ence or for other reasons, rent them, may feel 

 reluctant to expend even a comparatively small 

 sum in the ornamentation of a place which is 

 not their own. While such an excuse, in view 

 of the small cost of the seed of quick-growing 

 annuals, is extremely weak, still porch and win- 

 dow boxes present an immediate and happy 

 solution. Easily moved from place to place, 

 even when filled, they need never be abandoned, 

 but can be carried away by the renter along 

 with his furniture, and, though they may not 

 appear to fit the new porch or the new windows, 

 in all cases some use can be made of them, and 

 usually they will be found to do as well in the 

 new home as in the old. If one has window or 

 porch boxes, therefore, he may move in mid- 

 summer if he desires, and, by carrying the box 

 gardens with him, he can impart to his new res- 

 idence an atmosphere of permanency which he 

 could not attain in any other way. 



But if these miniature gardens possess 

 numerous advantages, it must be remembered 

 that all of them disappear immediately if the 

 boxes are neglected. When they are allowed 

 to languish for want of care and attention, 

 instead of adding beauty to a place, they be- 



