28 The New Practical Window Gardener. 



at least six inches all round should be of wood to give 

 small cuttings or seedpots some protection from the 

 sun. There should be at least two astragals down the 

 roof, front, and sides, as it is not so costly if a small 

 pane is broken as if it were a big one. It should be 

 glazed with 21 oz. glass, that is 21 oz. to the lb., and 

 have three coats of paint. White or light stone colour 

 is best. The six inch board all round may be 

 painted green or in imitation of brickwork, according 

 to your taste. The bottom should be of good strong 

 deal or sheet iron, with several holes bored through it 

 to drain off the surplus water, and an inch of fine 

 gravel should always cover it, as the plants will be 

 greatly benefited by the bottom of the pots standing 

 on a moist surface. The bottom should be screwed to 

 the iron brackets and the sides fitted in and screwed to 

 the upright bars at the sides, leaving the window free, 

 so that its opening or shutting may not be interfered 

 with. The board at the front should be hung on 

 hinges, so that it may be pushed open a little on warm 

 summer days for ventilation. And a ventilating board 

 six inches wide should be fixed on hinges at the top 

 next the window so that it may be easily opened at 

 any time. This ventilating sash may be of wood, but 

 it wiU be far neater if it be a glass frame, and would 

 not intercept the view in any way. A neat little roller 

 and blind should be fixed immediately under the 

 ventilating sash at the top to shade the plants when the 

 sun is strong. It must be made to come down 

 close under the roof; a tight cord down each side 

 vdll work it well if a little pulley be fixed to the 



