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Plant-Boxes and Cases

Plant-boxes are used for large trees or shrubs that cannot be provided with pots of sufficient size to contain the roots. They are usually made of wood, but sometimes of slate, and the sides may be constructed so as to be movable, for allowing the roots and drainage to be examined, should it become necessary. Boxes made of slate have the advantage of great durability, and they are readily kept clean. Special provision should be made to insure drainage, and Boxes containing trees of large dimensions should, for this reason, be stood on something to keep them a little above the ground level. Plant or Cutting-boxes, about 3in. deep, for raising seedlings and growing-on tender bedding plants, are extremely useful; they answer well if the wood is merely planed over before being made up. Boxes for window plants should be about 6in. deep: a less depth does not afford room for sufficient soil to sustain the plants for a season. Plant-cases used outside windows, and also in rooms, require their occupants renewed occasionally, but not very frequently, if flowering plants are excluded. Many of the hardier species of Palms, greenhouse Ferns, Selaginellas, &c., are admirably adapted for the decoration of Plant-cases; tender or delicate subjects should not be included, unless the Cases are utilised for special purposes inside a glass structure. An inclosed portion of a propagating-house, wherein cuttings of larger than ordinary size are inserted, is also termed a Plant or Propagating-case.