52 
HINTS AND HELPS 
The mixtures that I shall give will give satisfactory 
results and are more easily obtained than mixtures often 
given. Persons having a larger variety of materials at 
their command usually have a gardener competent to mix 
the soil to suit the needs of the individual plants. 
For Common Plants such as Geraniums, Coeeus, 
Fuchsias, Etc., mix one part of soil, one part of well 
rotted manure (cow manure if obtainable) spread this on 
the potting bench (a shutter placed on two horses, or an 
old table serves the purpose). To a bushel of this mixture 
apply one quart of bone meal and four quarts of gritty 
sand, if obtainable; mix thoroughly with the spade and 
then with the hands until it contains a large amount of 
air. A sprinkling c*f air-slaked lime and a pint of tobacco 
dust will help to rid all objectionable insects. Have the 
soil moist (neither wet nor dry) and mix it until there are 
no lumps. Allow this soil to remain over night or for 
several days and mix again when ready to put the plants 
into it. This work cannot be too thoroughly done. A 
spring hot-bed will often furnish sufficiently well rotted 
manure in the Fall in case cow manure is not to be had. 
For Palms and Roses use in place of the soil pure 
clay. This is generally best mixed by allowing it to dry 
and then pulverizing and mixing. 
Cacti of all kinds are not generally suited by the 
ordinary soil mixtures, and while not very common in the 
window garden, their odd shapes and the free flowering 
habit of some species attract attention. For potting them 
use plenty of drainage and equal parts of mixed soil, sand 
and brick rubble. 
selecting and arranging the plants. 
Everywhere in nature there are societies of plants that 
grow and thrive together. In selecting the plants for the 
window box, great care should be exercised, not only to 
select those that will best harmonize in color and present 
the best artistic appearance, but to select those that will 
best grow together under the conditions. A collection 
