CHA.r>TE:R II. 
Construction, Location and Designs foi: Window Gardens. 
The Window Gardener has choice of a great number of designs for the gratifica- 
tion of his taste. Tl)e Window Box of Evergreens, Ferns, or Ornamental Plants; 
(he Jardiniere, the Hanging Basket, the row of Bnlbglasses, the Plant Cabinet, 
the Fernery, Wardian Case or Conservatory, may all be his : while Flower 
Stands, Etagere and Mantel Piece Gardens, and other floral elegancies, are of 
great variety and tasteful constructien. Notiiing, however, has so decided an 
effect as broad leaved plants in the window sill. 
Our engraving opposite (Fig. 2) is a sketch of a library window, about 3 feet 
wide, and 6 high, with book shelves on either side, and a closet below for pani- 
plilets. The window sill is made of extra width, say 14 inches. Here is placed 
a simple tray of about 3 inclies in depth, made to lit the sill exactly: the in- 
terior is coated entirel}"^ with tin and rendered proof against leakage. Tlie tray 
is filled with fresh mould from the woods, and then the plants are put in. At 
eacli end is an English Ivj'^, and the spaces between are filled with native hardy 
ferns, which usually are found out doors near our woods, remaining green 
down to the coldest winds and frosts of Autumn. 
If the front of the box is too plain it may be decorated with a few acorns, 
and strips of chestnut. 
About midway up the window is thrown across a miniature rustic bridge, upon 
whicli is still another but narrower tray, with ligliter and more delicate ferns, 
such as the maiden's hair. This rustic bridge may be decorated with a lat- 
tice of the bright red dogwood, mingled with the white shoots of the linden. On 
the top of the window, as a cornice, some rustic branch from one of our wild 
forest trees, may be selected, twisted and crooked ] yet affording numerous brack- 
ets for climbing plants to rest upon. Upon this moss-covered bark the Ivy of 
the lower box is expected soon to grow up to and crawl over, throwing its ten- 
drils righ* - .'left, and filling it full with green foli.age. A little hanging bas- 
ket from the rustic archway, fills out the uniqueness of the picture, and the 
landscape view beyond is in a measure enhanced by the agrecableness of the 
standpoint from which we view it. 
In some of the finer parts of London, where Window Gardens are dressed in 
highest elegance, there is a very popular form of Window Garden, consisting of 
a glass case, projecting beyond the window sashes, somewhat like a little glasg 
bow-window. (Fig 3, 4.) These are made in every style, with rustic work in 
front, or of an architectural character to harmonize with the style of the building 
