FURNISHING VASES AND WINDOW BOXES. 



2 33 



extra strong, with some taller than the rest for the centre (as shown in Fig. 115, next 

 page), but they must have the benefit of fresh, rich, loamy compost. They starve in the 

 old soil when this is unwisely used a second time. Very rarely do plants in much 

 exposed vases receive enough water at all times, hence the necessity for a rich compost 

 or a mixture, say, of two parts of fresh loam to one of leaf soil and decayed manure — 

 preferably that from a cow-yard, as being the coolest. It should be used in a moderately 

 moist state and pressed down firmly. 



Portable vases, made in the form of baskets or trunks of trees, may be filled early in 

 the spring, and the plants given a good start under glass, 

 but the majority arc furnished late in May or early in 

 June. Whether they shall be irregular, uniform, or 

 in pairs, must depend upon the surroundings. Several 

 vases furnished with scarlet Zonale pelargoniums are 

 sometimes favoured, and they arc showy. More often 

 two colours are employed, in addition to an outer fringe 

 of trailing plants. Kinds most favoured for the centres 

 are Zonale pelargoniums, heliotropes, Calceolaria am- 

 plexicaulis, white and yellow marguerites, tuberous 

 begonias, and fuchsias. These massed in the centre, 

 somewhat highest in the middle, are fringed with ivy- 

 leaf pelargoniums, petunias, lobelias and pendulous 

 begonias. Mixtures are " taking " at times ; for 

 instance, the calceolaria named associates well with 

 crimson, rose or pink Zonale pelargoniums, and helio- 

 tropes with white or yellow marguerites. Fill the vases 

 moderately full at the outset, and with the help of 

 water and surfacings of artificial manure, the plants 

 will flower continuously all the season, provided decaying flowers are removed to 

 prevent the formation of seed. 



Yases that are liable to suffer from the action of frosts ought to be emptied of soil 

 in the autumn, but those that will withstand them may be filled with shrubs and conifers 

 similar to those recommended for winter bedding. 



Much that has been advanced concerning filling vases also applies to window boxes. 

 The selection of plants need not be confined to the kinds named, but may include 



VOL. I. H H 



Fig. 114. Vase and Balustrade 



INSUFFICIENTLY FURNISHED. 



