The Handling of Stove Plants 231 



quired. With a minimum night temperature of 

 from 60 to 65 degrees, any of these tropical gems 

 can be grown to perfection if the necessary con- 

 ditions, such as careful potting, watering, ven- 

 tilation, and cleanliness are attended to. 



One great advantage with many stove plants 

 is that so manj^ of them are splendid house- 

 decorative subjects. If there is perchance a 

 scarcity of flowering plants, this is quickly and 

 satisfactorily remedied by the use of fancy 

 Caladiums, Crotons, Dracaenas, Marantas, or 

 other of the beautifully colored-leaved varieties 

 grown. It is doubtful if in the whole list of deco- 

 rative plants for use in the dwelling there is 

 any better all-round sort than Pandanus Veitchii, 

 which will thrive as well as a Boston Fern, an 

 Aspidistra, or a Rubber Plant in the living room. 



The best tj^pe of house for tropical plants is an 

 even span, eighteen or twenty -five feet in width, 

 with a central bed and side benches. The heat- 

 ing pipes should be on the sides of the house. 



If the house is to be a wide one, the central 

 bed may be quite low, just a little above the 

 level of the path. This will allow of better head- 

 room for the larger specimens and they can be 

 viewed to better advantage than when on a 

 raised bench. 



Paths are often constructed of cement, a ma- 



