MANAGEMENT OF HOUSE PLANTS 45 
In the first place it must be remembered that at 
best it is hard to get conditions in the living-room 
that will be suitable for the healthy growth of 
plants. Every effort should be made to prepare a 
place for them in which such conditions may be 
made as nearly ideal as possible: plenty of light, 
evenly regulated temperature; moisture in the air. 
For most house plants the temperature should 
be 50 to 55 at night and 65 to 75 during the day. 
An occasional night temperature of 45 or even 40 
will not do great harm but if reached frequently 
will check the growth of the plants. 
Air should be given every day when the tempera- 
ture of the room will not be too greatly lowered 
thereby. Avoid direct drafts, as sudden chills are 
apt to produce bad results. Even on very cold 
days, fresh air may be let in indirectly, through a 
window open in an adjoining room or through a 
hall. It is better, when possible, to give a little 
ventilation during an hour or two, than to rush 
too sudden a lowering of the temperature by trying 
to do it all in fifteen minutes. 
The amount of water which should be given will 
depend both upon the plant and upon the season. 
During the dull days of winter and during the 
“resting season” of all plants, very little water 
will be required. It should be given on bright 
mornings. During early fall and late spring, when 
the pots or boxes dry out very rapidly, water in 
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