Retracing in our thoughts to the time when the 
greenhouse is under construction, we must think 
of heating and ventilating. Bottom heat is abso- 
lutely essential for continued success with Ca- 
mellia, Rhododendron and other difficult cuttings 
or grafts. So one section or one bench might be 
so planned. This heat need not be high, ordin- 
arily, but must be even. Circulated heat for the 
whole house, with the control set ten degreen 
lower than the soil temperature thermostat on 
the cutting bench, will allow seedlings to germin- 
ate and grow healthily and will also provide a 
good temperature and sufficient air circulation for 
pot plants. Provision must be made for the ad- 
mission of fresh air even in winter but in such a 
way that plants are not chilled in a draft. 
The space under the benches may be utilized 
if a greenhouse is glazed to the ground level. A 
bed each of Violets, Lilies of the Valley and 
Primroses are a joyful sight in midwinter. This 
shaded area also supplies a made-to-order place 
for pots of bulbs when root growth needs encour- 
agement. In late spring young Fuchsias will thrive 
there, partial hardening off of young plants of 
any variety may be accomplished there, and 
ferns will delight in the protection afforded by 
the bench. Here, also, is where many house plants 
may ‘‘rest’’ as is annually necessary for most of 
them. One precaution we must take, and that is 
to see that the air circulates as freely on this 
lower level as it does above the bench. 
Plants of easy culture appeal to the beginner 
because he can cope with their requirements, and 
to the experienced amateur because he usually 
has acquired such a variety of material that he is 
forced to simplify his activities. 
Some of the plants to be mentioned as green- 
house subjects may also grow beautifully and 
winter well in some section of the outdoor gar- 
den. But their indoor culture concerns us more 
for the moment. 
One purpose in mind when growing plants is 
to share them with friends. A most acceptable 
gift for almost any occasion, and an easy plant 
to grow is a midget Rose. Six to ten weeks will be 
sufficient time from cutting stage to flowering 
plant. A six to twelve-month-old plant, in bud 
and/or bloom, used on a window sill or casual 
table, never fails to draw exclamations of enjoy- 
ment from visitors. Older plants must be fed fre- 
quently if they are to be kept in pots commen- 
surate with their size.Several such midget Roses 
appear in various catalogs, some of them patented 
and other not. 
The Primoses commonly raised by florists may 
also be grown by the amateur. In addition, there 
is the possibility of forcing garden varieties for 
house decoration or just for the enjoyment of 
seeing them in the greenhouse. Three delightful 
small species ones to try are Primula frondosa, 
P. farinosa and P. rosea grandiflora. 
Another plant to repeatedly propagate to share 
with friends, especially with those owning green- 
houses, is Pleroma splendens (also known as Ti- 
bouchina) a plant of many attractions from 
Guiana. The heavily veined leaves bear a velvet 
covering, the pointed flower buds flush with 
rose, the flowers themselves startle one with the 
brilliance of their purple hue, and, lastly, the 
seed pods bear close resemblance to the flower 
buds with no unsightly shagginess. Plants must be 
pinched frequently to keep them bushy; they will 
handle better in soil of only moderate richness. 
Greenhouse benches, whether ground or raised 
ones, acquire a veritable garden look when the 
edges support mats of soft green color provided 
by plants of Selaginella of the common variety 
known as Baby Tears or of other less common 
sorts. These plants may be grown in pots set at 
the proper depth or in the ground itself. Another 
use for these mossy plants is in dish gardens or 
terrariums. 
Two showy hanging plants which flower pro- 
fusely and merit consideration in this list are 
Campanula isophylla Maii and Campanula _iso- 
phylla alba. The former wears a soft fuzz on its 
light green leaves and weights its stems with blue 
stars. The latter has smooth yellow-green leaves 
wile its pure white flowers are responsible for 
two of its common names—Falling Star and Star 
of Bethlehem, another example of how misleading 
some common names can become, since Star of 
Bethlehem much more often applies to the genus 
Ornithogalum. 
Ferns, Ivies, Azaleas, Camellias, Brooms and 
Violas represent more of the long list of easy 
greenhouse subjects. One need not be a person 
of unlimited wealth or leisure to keep a succes- 
sion of bloom in a small greenhouse. Common 
plants of easy culture, if well grown, will supply 
color in abundance for all the season. 
Suggested references: The Cool Greenhouse by 
Leonard M. Sutton; Putnam, London. Greenhouse 
Gardening for Everyone by Ernest Chabot; M. 
Barrows & Co. Enjoy Your House Plants by Dor- 
othy H. Jenkins and Helen Van Pelt Wilson; M. 
Barrows & Co. 
Electrically heated greenhouse benches with flats of seeds and cuttings standing on 
sand in which the heating cable is embedded. Note the narrow aisle to conserve space. 
30 
