in a wood casing for insulation, ran through the cellar
window and up into the floor of the conservatory, ending in a small
radiator.

These details are given not with the idea that they can be duplicated
exactly (although in many instances they might), but to show what a
little ingenuity and effort will accomplish in the way of overcoming
difficulties.

Nor is the reward for such efforts as these restricted to the growing of
a few more plants. From the actual accomplishments described in the
second part of this book, the reader must see that it is entirely
possible and feasible for one with only average advantages to have
during a large part or even all of the year not only flowers which
cannot be grown to advantage in the house, but also such vegetables as
lettuce, radishes, tomatoes and cucumbers, and others if desired; and
also to give the flower and vegetable gardens such a start as would
never be possible otherwise.

Do not attempt too much, but do not be content with too little, when
only a slight increase in planning and work will bring such a tremendous
increase in results and happiness. I feel confident that there is not
one home out of ten where more thought and more information brought to
bear on the things whereof this book treats, would not yield a greater
return in actual pleasure than any other equal investment which could be
made.

Do not be impatient to get to a description of all the results at once.
Do not skip over the chapters on dirt and manures and pots and other
seemingly uninteresting things, because in a thorough understanding of
these essentials lies the foundation of success. And if a condition of
soil, or an operation in handling plants does not seem clear to you as
you read it over, remember that in all probability it will become so
when you actually attempt the work described. Nothing worth while is
ever won without a little--and often a great deal--of patient work. And
what is more worth while than to keep busy in the constant improvement
and beautifying of one's daily surroundings?

CHAPTER II

THE PROPER CONDITIONS:--LIGHT, TEMPERATURE AND MOISTURE

After so much advice as to the possibility of making conditions right
for the growing of plants in the house, the inexperienced reader will
naturally want to know what these conditions are.

LIGHT

In the first place, almost all plants, whether they flower or not, must
have an abundance of light, and many require suns