366 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



white stocks, and mignonette. Two or three cross bars, sustained 

 hanging wire baskets filled with Nasturtiums, ivy-leaved Geranium, 

 Tradescantia zebrina, Sedum Bieboldii, and such-like trailers. The 

 House-leek, in its various tribes, and the Echeveria, were growing in 

 the crevices of the stones. There are hosts of inexpensive and 

 hardy plants of succulent character useful for such purposes, that 

 will suggest themselves to the practical gardener, or that may be 

 found in such publications as the " Garden Oracle," and more par- 

 ticularly in the admirable " Fern Garden," recently issued ; indeed, 

 the adventurer disposed to beautify what is usually a most unsightly 

 spot, devoted to dust-bins, old brooms, and other abominations of 

 the presiding deities of the lower regions, cannot do better than 

 possess himself of the above-named works at once, as the bases for 

 his operations. 



Nor is the scope of such a system of " area gardening" confined 

 to the summer. By means of a few sashes placed across, which may 

 be so arranged as not to interfere with the ventilation of the dwelling 

 rooms, a complete conservatory could be constructed in which plants 

 might be kept growing during the whole year ; some of which, such as 

 tulips, hyacinths, and other hardy bulbs, might be regularly brought 

 on as ornaments for the other apartments of the house. The means 

 for heating such a structure could be easily managed from the 

 kitchen boiler, or by the employment of gas ; the sashes would be 

 made to lift up for giving air, of course. It will be apparent that a 

 constant relief in the permanent furnishing may be kept up by a 

 change of the plants in pots analogous to that employed in carrying 

 out the "plunging systems" in the garden. Many nurserymen 

 would contract to supply such a change by the dozen at a small 

 expense, removing the plants from time to time as they passed out 

 of bloom. 



Another very interesting modification of this method of utilizing 

 a town area, to which it might be made a pleasing adjunct, also fell 

 under my notice — it was that of a large aviary of sparrow-proof 

 wire, in which were some twenty or thirty canaries and other song 

 birds. In summer a miniature fountain threw up its tiny spray, 

 and a little tree furnished resting and roosting accommodation for its 

 feathered tenants, whose sprightliness and blithe notes exhibited a 

 striking contrast to their unfortunate brethren shut up in a diminu- 

 tive cage. 



It will, of course, be understood that these suggestions do not 

 profess to be a complete treatise on a t-ubject which admits of such 

 wide yet systematic treatment, according to individual tastes and 

 circumstances. They will, however, be sufficient to set ideas 

 working, and to ventilate the question preparatory to more expanded 

 consideration on a future occasion. 



