292 Modern Improvements in Horticulture. 



to arrive at that magnitude which must precede fructifi- 

 cation. Such edifices (with a few exceptions, as the old 

 conservatory at Muswell Hill, built in the time of George 

 II., by Beauclerc, better known as an astronomer than a 

 botanist) are now coming into fashion; and from the facihty 

 afforded by curvilinear or rectilinear metal- framing, added 

 to the practicability of adopting the highest architectural em- 

 bellishment in the construction, such buildings may not only 

 be the most ornamental in our gardens, but also the most 

 elegant examples of our national architectural taste. In fact, 

 whenever the amateur prefers a choice collection of perfect 

 beauties, to a confused melange of imperfect individuals, such 

 a building, with what it may contain, will unquestionably yield 

 the greatest share of botanical gratification. They also super- 

 sede the old disagreeable orangeries formerly thought a 

 necessary appendage to a palace ; and when erected in a 

 range, they may not only partake of a highly ornamental 

 exterior, but interiorly be fitted up for the various purposes 

 requisite for the different groups of the collection. 



Aquariums. — These are receptacles for water plants in our 

 flower-gardens, either within or out of doors ; they are neces- 

 sary in every botanical collection, as some of our most splendid 

 flowers are aquatics. These tubs, cisterns, or basins, are not 

 brought to that perfection they may be, because some water 

 plants delight only in running, or at least a frequent change of 

 water ; but with the hydraulic powers we now possess, every- 

 thing in this way may be accomplished, and suited to cir- 

 cumstances both of place and object. 



Rock JVork — Is a new feature in our gardens. Lucky is 

 the proprietor who can extend the quarter of his flower or 

 botanic garden into a rocky dell ; then, all the vegetable 

 beauties which inhabit the craggy cliffs, the mossy cave, or 

 humid grot, would be at home : but rock imitated on the soft 

 and beautiful face of a flower-garden, is not consistent taste ; 

 but by changing the high and harsh-sounding name into 

 Alpine plant borders, and occupying some shady and secluded 

 corner, it is admissible ; because it may there form an un- 

 obtrusive and proper receptacle for the plants which cover it, 

 and pretend to no further character. 



