Some window boxes are more elaborate in their construction 
than these ordinary ones. Such boxes often have zinc inner 
boxes, in which the plants are placed. There is a zinc drip-pan 
beneath the zinc box, so water never touches the outer wooden 
box. 
Drainage must be right, if one is to have a reasonable amount 
of success in window gardening. So, after placing curved pieces 
of crock over the drainage holes, put about two inches of drainage 
material into the box. This material may be broken crock, char- 
coal, rotted sod, or even stone. (See Leaflets Number 12, Series 
I, Figure 5, for potting process. It is not necessary to use the bed 
of sand.) 
The soil in a window box often becomes clogged with water, 
sour and soggy. The loose drainage area is used to prevent this 
condition. Surplus water, standing at the bottom of the box, 
does little harm if the drainage area is right. Roots of plants 
must have plenty of air and be in a sweet condition, which is im- 
possible if they are surrounded by soggy soil. Some people put 
charcoal in with other drainage material, trusting that it will 
act as an agent of absorption for unpleasant odors and gases. 
The soil for the window box should be especially rich and 
light. If one has ordinarily good loam, it maybe used as it is. 
There are many receipts for mixing of soils. One mixture is the 
following: one-third garden soil or fibrous loam, one-third well- 
rotted manure, and one-third sand, sifted through a quarter-inch 
screen. Another mixture is this one: leaf mould, garden soil or 
loam, and sand, mixed in equal parts. The sand should be sharp 
sand, such as that used by masons. Sand assists in the process 
of drainage. Leaf mould makes the resultant soil more friable, 
allows air to circulate more freely through the soil, and helps root 
growth. Rotted manure also lightens soil and adds valuable 
elements of plant food to the mixture. If soil is heavy and 
cloggy, it must be lightened. For this purpose, use sand or well- 
rotted manure. A soil with an overplus of clay in it will become, 
at times, water-logged, heavy and cold. 
As the soil is filled into the box above the drainage section, 
the level at which the plants are finally to stand must be deter- 
mined. So take the plants which are to go into this box out of 
their individual pots. Be sure to get the ball of soil carefully out 
with each plant. To do this, take up the pot in the right hand, 
place the stalk of the plant between the middle and index finger 
of the left hand, invert the pot and strike its rim sharply against 
the edge of a table or any other solid surface. The plant, together 
with its ball of earth, should slip easily out of the pot. If the soil 
is dry, the ball will break apart, so be sure the soil is moist be- 
