212 



GARDEN GUIDE 



K-Jtesfe.^-^i" 



therefore, thai a number of boxes be used if the area to be decorated 

 is longer. The boxes should always be made rather solidly. Often 

 they can be bracketed to the porch; when this is not possible some 

 simple standard can be devised. If legs are placed on the box they 

 should be a trifle wider apart at the floor. Round urns or hanging 

 baskets are preferable to most boxes which must stand on the porch. 

 Self-watering boxes made of iron are on the market. There is a 

 small reservoir for water at the base; sponges communicate the water 

 to the soil. The boxes need watering only every week or ten days. 

 They cost from $1.50 to $4, according to their size and amount of 

 ornament. Care must be taken that drainage is good and the 

 reservoirs are not filled too fuU of water. 



Porch boxes or hanging baskets are easily made. White Pine, 

 red cedar or cypress are the best woods. They are less injured by the 

 continual moisture required in a box of this sort. When finished 



they may simply -be 

 painted to match the 

 house or they may be 

 covered with cedar or 

 other bark. They 

 may be slightly 

 decorated by using 

 crosspieces of fine 

 twigs. 



Excellent hanging 

 baskets are made 

 from the heavy ox- 

 muzzles. Bend the 

 muzzle so that it is 

 flatter and more bas- 

 ket shaped, attach 

 three wires or chsiins, 

 and the hanging bas- 

 ket is ready for use 

 after lining with 

 pieces of moss so 

 that soil may be re- 

 tained. The same 

 type of wire basket 

 may also be pur- 

 chased. Special hang- 

 ers may be bought 

 which can be attached 



Ui 





Green lattice-work against a white house,{wlth the 



Geraniums and Scarlet Sage. This makes all the 



difference between elegance and bareness 



