fore unpotting;, Place the plants, balls and all, upon the soil 
layer already in the box. Firm every plant into its place, thus 
making close contact between the balls of soil and the new pot- 
ting soil. Roots and soil must be in union in order to insure 
growth. 
Another important point to determine is that of the number of 
plants to the potting space. Window boxes undoubtedly look 
much better when the plants are crowded. So place them as near 
together as possible without having direct interference of their 
branches. When potting plants with their balls of soil, these latter 
help regulate the distance. 
The selection of plants for the window box depends largely 
upon where it is to be placed. For if the box is to go in a window 
flooded with sunshine, the problem is an easy one. But it it is to 
have a northern exposure, one’s choice in plants is limited. For 
any exposure the Geranium is the first choice. It is a very adapt- 
able sort of plant, thriving in sun, yet accommodating itself to 
the less sunny spots. A box full of bright red or of pink Geran- 
iums is a fine sight ! It is the best plant of all for classrooms. 
Garden plants like the Heliotrope, Fuchsia, Coleus, Petunia and 
Marguerite do well in the box which has sunshine falling upon it 
throughout a part of the day. Use for vines, to trail over the 
edges, Vinca major; Wandering Jew, (Tradesca?ilia sp.;) English 
Ivy, (Hedera Helix;) German Ivy, ( Senecio scandens;) and Varie- 
gated Panicum, ( P . variegatu?n.) 
But the window box which must be placed in a window having 
little or no sunlight, presents a real problem. Plants must be 
chosen which can adapt themselves to shade or which naturally 
thrive in the shade. Try such plants as Fuchsias, Abutilons 
(Flowering Maple,) Begonias, Pandanus, Dracaenas, Aspidis- 
tras, Ferns and Palms. The Fibrous Begonias will give satisfac- 
tion in sunless windows, for they grow easily and remain in bloom 
for a long time. The Coral Begonia, B. cocci?iea, is perhaps the 
best one to choose. Other satisfactory varieties are B. semper- 
florens, B. metallica and B. sanguinea. Dracaenas and Aspidistras 
are used more often in separate pots. Boston Ferns and Palms, 
such as Cocos Weddelliana and Kentia Bdmoreafia, may be used 
in window boxes. But if they are used, it is far better to have the 
box made up entirely of either Ferns or Palms. For these plants 
need different treatment from that given to the ordinary house 
plant, such as the Geranium. Palms require quantities of water; 
while Ferns do not like heavy soils. 
Some people like to start their window boxes from seed. This 
is a rather slow process. An attractive, but expensive, sort of 
window box is one in which the plants, pot and all, are placed, 
