This is a subject that we hear very little about, but one of very great importance to the appearance of a greenhouse. In what state do we generally find them? Plants put on the benches, apparently more for convenience than with any idea of giving effect to their decorative capacity, which if placed in another position to contrast with each other, they would do.

I do not know that any definite rule could be laid down for this purpose, but a few hints on one of my methods of arrangement, may benefit some by drawing their attention to it; as it seems to me, it has been unthought of in very many cases.

I will give you, as an example, one of my own houses and try to describe the plan, so as to be understood. This house has a center bench seven feet wide, with a passage running all around, an outer bench, four feet, doing the same. In the middle of my center bench I run a line of my tallest plants, diversifying their foliage as much as possible. In this line I have a row of turned wooden stands, placed at such a distance as will not shade the plants below. These stands rise to a height that will not show the flower-pots. On these I have placed such plants as fan palm, anthuriums, pandanuses, etc, with very fine effect. From this line my sides slope downward to the passages, giving variation to the foliage as much as I can. A foot from the front I have a line of smaller stands, run all around about four feet apart, which rises considerably over the other plants, and if the pots are kept clean will be no eye-sore - or fancy pots may be used. I never put on them a larger pot than a six inch, with such plants as primulas, cyclamens, or some of the smaller growing Bromeliads. This house, facing the noon-day sun, with center bench so arranged, gives me on its back side a fine chance to grow shade loving plants, such as marantas, ferns, etc.

My outside shelf is arranged same as the other, only all sloping to the passage. It has its row also of those stands, at the same distance from the front of the bench. The back part of this outer shelf I devote mostly to ferns, some of the drooping varieties look most graceful on these stands; besides this they take many plants from the benches that occupy much room, and standing amongst other plants are never seen properly to show off their beauty. In fact want of space for my plants caused me first to adopt this stand method; and I now think a house is very incomplete without them. The expense is small; any turner can make them with little trouble, being only an upright and a round top put on, the lower end turned down to fit an auger hole made in the benches, a shoulder being left on for better support. Smallest sizes could not cost more than fifteen cents each; for large plants they must be stronger. The stands to be painted green. Even in the spring of the year, when a large stock of bedding plants are being got ready, I make them very ornamental by placing them ribbon fashion on my benches, instead of having them scattered all over the house.

Thus placed when you go to put them outside you have them all together; this often looks so pretty that one is almost inclined to have a portion of the house so the whole year.

Cleanliness in your house, your wood work neatly painted, and your pots nicely washed, all dead leaves removed; of the latter nothing need be said, as it is not only unsightly but the cause of many other annoyances. I hope that these few hints may do good, and bring some one else to the front with his opinions on this subject.

[Excellent suggestions for others besides gardeners. - Ed. G. M.]