Missour1 Botanical 
Garden Bulletin 
Vol. I St. Louis, Mo., November, 1913 No. 11 
THE NEW CONSERVATORIES. 
The new conservatories which were described in the 
February number of the BULLETIN were completed in June 
of the present year and, of their type, comprise the largest 
group of greenhouses in this country. The range consists 
of five houses, the largest, occupying the central position, 
being the palm house, measuring 90 by 110 feet and 65 feet 
in height, flanked on the north by the fern house and on the 
south by the economic house, each of which measures 45 by 
95 feet and 50 feetin height. Extending west at right angles 
to the latter are the north and south floral display houses, 
each 33 by 145 feet by 40 feet in height. 
After the actual work of construction was completed the 
preparation of the houses for final planting was begun. 
Among the first tasks was the installation of a thorough sub- 
soil drainage system to permanently prevent the accumula- 
tion of soil water in the houses and render the soil most favor- 
able for plant growth. Such a system was especially necessary 
because of the landscape treatment to be referred to in more 
detail later. 
The filling of the greenhouses with suitable soil was like- 
wise deferred until after the superstructure was completed. 
This was done in order to prevent the firm packing of the 
soil and the admixture with it of glass fragments and other 
debris incident to the work of construction. In placing the fill 
the general planting plan was taken into consideration. Here- 
tofore, most plants in the Garden have been grown in pots and 
tubs because of the inadequate space available in the old 
houses. Plants grown under these conditions, as may be 
expected, do not attain their best development and frequently 
fail to reveal the real beauty of the species. The abundance 
of space available in the new range made it possible to dis- 
pense with the pot and tub and place the plants directly into 
the soil where an almost unlimited amount of root space is 
at their disposal. Under these conditions, good growth may 
be expected, provided an ample depth of rich soil containin 
the necessary plant foods in sufficient quantities is provid 
(129) 
