House Plants. 225 



A mean temperature of 50° to 55° is considered suitable in a 

 greenhouse containing a mixed collection of plants. Of 

 course that is too low for comfort in our living rooms; but 

 we should select a room, other conditions being favorable, 

 having a temperature as close to that as possible. We, fur- 

 thermore contrive to have our plants brought close to the 

 window, there they get the greatest amount of light, and 

 enjoy a temperature and atmosphere, cooler and moister, 

 than that further removed from the window. That we can 

 readily understand, when we consider that few windows are 

 so tightly fitted, as to exclude all outside air. Just as it en- 

 ters, it is ladened with considerable moisture, and, if the 

 plants are so situated, that it may come in contact with 

 them, before its moisture is absorbed by the dryer air of the 

 room, they will be much benefited. 



Various contrivances are in use for the accommodation of 

 plants in the house. The ordinary wire stands are, perhaps, 

 more generally used than anything else. They are light, 

 strong, neat and well adapted for the purposes intended. 

 To allow of the plants being liberally watered, as they re- 

 quire it, without removing them from the stand, a tin or 

 zinc pan large enough to set the stand in, is sometimes used 

 to catch the superfluous water. I much prefer, however, to 

 have pans made and fitted into each shelf. They have a 

 neat appearance, and are very convenient, as the plants 

 stand better in them than on the wire. Besides catching 

 the water which drains through the pots, they do not inter- 

 fere with the moving of the stand on its casters at will. 

 Ordinary wooden shelves placed across the window, and 

 above the other, according to taste and circumstances, are 

 often used. As a substitute for these, I have seen shelves 

 made of wire, having an ornamental raised margin, en- 

 closing shallow, water-tight pans. A wire at each end is 

 bent into a hook, which hooks into an eye screwed into the 

 window-casing, at any convenient height. These shelves 

 are very neat and convenient, as they may be readily re- 

 moved when desired for a season, the eyes being allowed to 

 remain as they are inconspicuous. Neat revolving brack- 

 15-H. 



