BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN 
LEAFLETS 
THE BROOKLYN INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 
Series II Brooklyn, N. Y., September 30, 1914 Number 10 
WINDOW BOXES 
The window box offers an opportunity for winter gardening- to 
many people who otherwise could do nothing at all in plant cul- 
ture for lack of space. But, unfortunately, the plants in such a 
box often do not thrive. This is due usually to a lack of under- 
standing on the part of the individual. Either he has tailed to 
take into consideration the light conditions under which he is 
forcing his plants to live or he has neglected to provide properly 
for drainage. Indeed, the most important factors in this problem 
are light and drainage. 
The window box itself is usually a plain wooden one. White 
pine is considered the best wood in use, as the wood must be 
light and able to withstand a considerable amount of moisture. 
Certain woods could not be used at all; but white pine Seems to 
answer these requirements better than most others. The outside 
of the box is painted or stained; this is done for general effect 
and also because the paint helps to close up the pores on the outer 
surface of the wood. Green, nature’s own scheme for color set- 
tings, is perhaps the most satisfactory one for the box. 
Dimensions for construction are as follows: length , deter- 
mined by the length of window sill on which the box is to be 
placed: width , about 8 inches; depth , 7 or 8 inches inside measure; 
thickness of wood , f inch. In each square foot of bottom surface 
bore four drainage holes, £ inch in diameter. Do not fit the end 
pieces between the side pieces, but use the opposite construction. 
If the former is used, the box is likely to spring apart and warp. 
Dovetail the joints, if possible, or try half-wood jointing. 
