Conservatory, Fernery, Staircase, and Drawing-room Decorations. 399 



more entertaining than the usual " fire stove " 

 ornaments. The design on fig. i shews a 

 Fernery made entirely of Virgin cork ; the 

 same design, however, can be produced in any 

 other material, but cork is specially recom- 

 mendable where heavy materials cannot be 

 used. We beg to recommend all persons 

 possessing som.e unsightly nook or corner, 

 who would wish them efi"ectively arranged, to 

 note the illustrations presented likely to give 

 them new ideas of arrangement. The success 

 of Conservatory decorations depends entirely 

 on the situation of the house and the selection 

 of plants. Many aim at too much, and few 

 ■content themselves with what really will 

 succeed ; effect does not depend on the 

 rarity of the plant, as many modest and in- 

 expensive varieties produce the most charming 

 result. If, therefore, a selection is made 

 according to the situation of the Conservatory, 

 and not so much attention paid to the in- 

 dividual taste of the possessor, success will 

 be found in many cases where failures have 

 attended the attempt. Who has not, at some 

 time or other, been to a house where the Con- 

 servatory has been an eyesore rather than ?, 

 pleasure, and what the cause ? Not from the 

 want of means, as, perhaps, much money 

 may have been spent on it. The answer will 

 be found among the following : — A selection 

 has been made to the taste of the purchaser, 



thoroughly independent of the requirements 

 of the Conservatory; or the plants, if suitable, 

 have been allowed to attend to themselves. 

 It is the mistaken notion of many, that a plant 

 has but to be put under glass, and no further 

 attention is required. Now this mistake we 

 wish to call special attention to, as unless 

 proper attention is given to the plants they 

 cannot be expected to do well ; our object 

 in making these remarks is to induce those 

 who have laboured under these ideas without 

 success, to give a little more attention to the 

 requirements of the plant, in which case 

 success must attend the endeavour. To all, 

 therefore, who possess a love for Horticul- 

 tural Decorations, we would commend a little 

 more attention being given to the natural 

 mode of planting for pleasing effect. We 

 have no doubt a suitable and effective tableau 

 can be produced at a cost varying to the 

 requirements and suited to all pockets, and 

 which will always be found a source of 

 recreation and research alike amusing and 

 instructive. 



Although the engravings given fully illus- 

 trate our subject, we earnestly recommend all 

 who contemplate decorating their houses in 

 the manner we have pointed out, to pay a visit 

 to Messrs Dick Radclyffe & Co.'s establish- 

 ment in High Holborn, where they will see 

 much to cruide them. 



