“Pshaw!” exclaimed Billy, “that’s just like a girl! I wouldn’t let a few names scare me! Besides, there aren’t so many names; some are _repeated_ in each list. That’s not a very difficult garden, if managed just as Miss Gardiner explained.” “Oh, I’m not scared—exactly,” said Mary Frances, “not when I have such a wonderful teacher, ahem! Professor Billy, when does my next lesson come?” “Can’t promise,” said Billy not knowing whether to be pleased or vexed, “next lesson begins work. Hello! I see by my note book, I’ve left out a part of this lesson. I suppose it is because we’ve never had window boxes that I overlooked this list.” “Window gardens are almost like a doll’s garden, it seems to me,” said Mary Frances, as Billy started to read: SUGGESTIONS FOR PLANTING OF WINDOW BOXES 1. Have the boxes made with small holes, or outlets, so that there may be good drainage; for although plants love to drink water, they do not enjoy having “soaking wet feet” all the time. 2. In the bottom of the box place some pebbles or broken stone; this, also, to make the drainage good. 3. Fill box with sifted sand and humus (or manure) very much as for seed boxes. See Chapter XIV. Following is a list of— NINE EXCELLENT FREE-BLOOMING PLANTS FOR WINDOW BOXES (Most are annuals, easily started from seeds) -----------------------+-------------------------------------------------- Petunias. | Many beautiful colors. Sow the seeds indoors; the | plants may be placed out as soon as danger of | frost is passed. If seeds are saved, they should | be taken from the weakest plants, as they will | give better results than from stronger plants. | | Bloom until killed by frost. Buy double large | flowering. -----------------------+-------------------------------------------------- Zinnias | All colors except blue and purple. Buy “Dwarf (”Youth-and-Old-Age“). | Double” varieties. Bloom late into the Fall. -----------------------+-------------------------------------------------- Phlox Drummondi | Very many beautiful mixed colors. (Annual Phlox). | | Easily grown. -----------------------+-------------------------------------------------- Sweet Alyssum. | Buy the tall variety, of trailing habit: “Alyssum | Maritimum.” Plant near edges of box. -----------------------+-------------------------------------------------- Cuphea (Cigar Plant). | Interesting little plant, growing one foot high. | Little scarlet flowers, shape of hollow cigars, | with black and white tip, resembling ashes. -----------------------+--------------------------------------------------