NEW BOOK FOR THE COUNTRY HOUSE. 



Just Published, in Crown 8vo., witli Illustrations, plain and coloured. 



Price lOs. 6d. 



FOE HOMES OF TASTE, 



And Recreations for Town Folk, in the Study and Imitation of Nature. 

 BY SHIRLEY HIBBERD. 



"The work is in itself almost as pleasant an object of contemplation as the things it treats of."— John Bull, 



"The -work is got up in good stylo, has many well-executed engravings and coloured plates, and forms 

 a suitable book for the drawing-room table." — Cicil Engineer and Architect's Journal. 



"Xothing could be more seasonable than this elegant book; it is beautifully illustrated, and, as a present 

 to those whom we love or esteem, we do not know anything more appropriate." — Cottage Gardener. 



"Aquariums, Ward's Civses, Aviaries, Fernery, Bees, Rock-work, Garden Scenery, Fountains — in fact 

 everything delightful, will be found in this tasteful volume. The matter and manner of the work 

 coincide happily, and each in turn well illusti-ates the other." — Naturalist. 



"Here is a book which we can honestly and cordially rocommeud to all lovers of nature, as treating in a 

 simple, pleasant way of the Vivarium, Ward's Cases, Aviary, and other rustic adornments. Mr. Hibberd's 

 book, let us add, is embellished with remarkable taste." — Leader. 



"An extremely pretty volume, nicely illustrated. The most casual reader will find something to interest 

 and aid him in cultivating his acquainiance with those portions of the animal and vegetable kingdoms which 

 may keep his love of nature alive in the city. It is, indeed, no small privilege to find how much may 

 be done, even in the crowded street, to keep us in communication with a plant, a bird, an inhabitant 

 of the waters or the air. We hold such subjects of observation very precious; and the book which 

 teaches us how to preserve them is much to be esteemed as a household friend." — Gejitleman's Magazine. 



"A more elegant volimie for the purpose of its publication it is impossible to meet with. In every 

 feature the book is invaluable. Its binding and illustrations are as charming as its contents are 

 interesting " — BeWs Weekly Messenger. 



"It deals with those elegancies which charm the eye, and by the aid of which the humble cottage 

 may be converted into a fairy Tpa\acc."—Illiist}-ated Times. 



"The coloured engravings with which the volume is embellished are numerous and well executed; in 

 fine, all admirers of the picturesque in rural scenery will find in this work most valuable instruction as 

 to the means by which art may be employed to develop and complete the beauties of nature." — Mornhig 

 Chronicle. 



"A charming book, elegantly bound and illustrated; the subjects which it embraces are treated with 

 much ability, and are of an excellent practical character; in fact it is ^a perfect gem."—I'loriciiltiiral 

 Cabinet. 



FBIKCIPAL CONTENTS. 



THE 



THE 



AQUARIUM : — Construction and Furnishing — Fountain Aquarium — Aspect — Forma- 

 tion of Rock-work, Corallines, Caves, Arches, and Beaches — Collecting Specimens for 

 Stock — Notices of Sea-Weeds — General Management of Marine Aquaria — Fresh-water 

 Aquarium — Plants suitable for the Tank — Growth of Ferns in Aquaria — Selection of 

 Fishes for Fresh-water Aquaria — Gold Fish — Amount of life which n\ay be sustained 

 in a tank of twenty-four gallons capacity — "Winter Management — Feeding — List of 

 Select Plants — List of Ferns for Fresh-water Tanks. 



GARDEN AQUARIUM:— Value of "Water Scenery— Plan of a Small Fountain 

 Aquarium — Stocking Garden Aquaria — Fishes — "Water Lilies— List of Bog and Aquatic 

 Plants— Construction of Eock-work Banks— Style of Ornaments suited for Water 

 Scenery — Fountains. 



WARDIAU" CASE :— Ornamental Value of the "Wardian Case— Its usefulness for the 

 Culture of Choice Plants in Towns — Construction and Design — Window Cuitiire of Ferns — 

 Plants adapted — Culture of Cacti in Close Cases — The Invalid's Plant Case. 



ORNAMENTS FOR DWELLING ROOMS:— Table Flowers- Preservation of 

 Cut Flowers— Choice of Pots — Miniature Plants— Cacti and Ferns — Illuminated Trees — 

 Transparent Pine Tree — Uses at Fetes and Festivals. 



THE AVIARY: — Construction of a Bird-House — Fitting-up of Aviaries — Uses of Small 

 Conservatories — Aviaries as Garden Ornaments — How to obtain a Cheap Aviary — Inmates 

 of the Aviary — The Canary, Goldfinch, Linnet, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Sky- 

 lark, Woodlark, Nightingale, Eobin, &c., &c. — General Management — Food, &c. 



BEES AND BEE-HOUSES : — The Apiary as an Ornament — Rustic Associations — Uses 

 of Suburban Gardens — Pleasures of Bee-keeping — A Code of Bee Management on Humane 

 Principles — Advantages — Hives — General Management, &c., &c. 



THE ROCKERY :— Ornamental uses of Rock-work — Mode of adapting it to the Embel- 

 lishment of a Small Garden — Structure, Materials, and Situation — Rock and Water 

 Scenery — Plants best adapted— Culture of British Wild Plants on raised banks — Culture 

 of Alpines — List of Plants for Rockeries and raised banks. 



FERNERY :— Characteristics of Fern Scenery— Growth of Ferns in Towns— Superior Beauty 

 of Cultivated Ferns — Soil and Composts — Shade and Moisture — Selection of Ferns — 

 Planting — Watering — Winter Protection — Ferns in Pots — General Management of the 

 Fernery. 



GARDEN SCENERY AND ORNAMENTS :— Pleasures of a Garden— The Roman 

 Gardens — Italian Gardens— Ornaments near the Dwelling House — Shrubbery and Rustic 

 Scenes — Summer Retreats and Rustic Embellishments — Rustic Bowers — Rustic Furniture 

 —Seats— Gates— Baskets — Arches— Wirework— Vases— Trellis, &c., &c. 



LONDON: GEOOMBRIDGE AND SONS, 5, PATEENOSTEE EOW. 



