THE ORNAMENTAL PLANTS — WINDOW-GARDENS 341 



The inside window-garden, or house plants.'' 



The winter window-garden may consist simply of a jardi- 

 niere, or a few choice pot-plants on a stand at the window, or of 

 a considerable collection with more or less elaborate arrange- 

 ments for their accommodation in the way of box, brackets, 

 shelves, and stands. Expensive arrangements are by no means 

 necessary, nor is a large collection. The plants and flowers ^ 

 themselves are the main consideration, and a small collection 

 well cared for is better than a large one unless it can be easily 

 accommodated and kept in good condition. 



The box will be seen near at hand, and so it may be more or 

 less ornamental in character. The sides may be covered with 

 ornamental tile held in place by molding; or a light lattice- 

 work of wood surrounding the box is pretty. But a neatly made 

 and strong box of about the dimensions mentioned on page 337, 

 with a strip of molding at the top and bottom, answers just 

 as well; and if painted green, or some neutral shade, only the 

 plants will be seen or thought of. Brackets, jardinieres, and 

 stands may be purchased of any of the larger florists. 



The box may consist of merely the wooden receptacle; but 

 a preferable arrangement is to make it about eight inches deep 

 instead of six, then have the tinsmith make a zinc tray to fit the 

 box. This is provided with a false wooden bottom, with cracks 

 for drainage, two inches above the real bottom of the tray. 

 The plants will then have a vacant space below them into which 

 drainage water may pass. Such a box may be thoroughly wat- 

 ered as the plants require without danger of the water running 

 on the carpet. Of course, a faucet should be provided at some 

 suitable point on a level with the bottom of the tray, to permit 

 of its being drained every day or so if the water tends to accu- 

 mulate. It would not do to allow the water to remain long; 

 especially should it never rise to the false bottom, as then the 

 soil would be kept too wet. 



