294 Interior y^'iew of Conservatory. 



Interior View of Conservatory in the Birmingham 

 Botanic G-arden, England. 



AN American gardener feels a thrill of interest in reading the descriptions of 

 the finished Conservatories and Botanic collections so famous on the European 

 continent. Whether it is owing to lack of skill, culture or interest here, among 

 American gentlemen, it is yet true, that our merchant princes rarely ever lay out 

 or provide such elaborate display as do the princely families of England and Germany. 

 There may be pecuniary ability, yet an American hates detail, and it is easier to 

 take care of his capital in bank stock, and once led in this line, all income and 

 simple interest follow in the same groove. And yet, while we seem to look long- 

 ingly to the beautiful picture of conservatory wealth and floral treasures across the 

 waters, yet, our English cousins seem to take pride in devoting part of their 

 ample grounds to the Awerican garden. Thus, though copying from each other, 

 yet we are approaching one another in interest and unanimous sentiment. 



Mr. D, T. Fish, writing to the Garde?ier^s Chronicle, a sketch of the plant curiosi- 

 ties at Birmingham, says : Art and Nature have worked together to create a chartu- 

 inf variety of terrace and dell, rolling ground and level plains, retired roseries, 

 and such American gardens, smooth archy ground, and freshly exhumed rocks, 

 clothed with ferns and crowned with foxgloves. This admixture of the color of the 

 foxglove with the green of Osmunda regalis and other ferns, was one of the most 

 valuable hints I picked up at Birmingham. 



I had introduced this before but not in such bold manner. The effect was charm- 

 \r)ff, and but for the sameness of many of the masses of sandstone rock, it would 

 have appeared most natural. The furnishing of those 12 acres of ground was as 

 varied as their character. 



In one spot, the last examples of carpet, summer or spring bedding, or grouping 

 in masses ; divided by straight lines, as seen near the conservatory, were formal beds 

 on the terrace, greened down to sobriety by intervening spiral yews ; close by, hang- 

 ing ribbons on the slope. A few steps more, a fine Picea iiobilis, 50 feet high, 

 P. Pinsapo of rare growth or stature, five Thujopsis borealis, stately Magnolias ; Anon 

 vilas in masses, Lilies and Forget-me-Nots ; a peep at botanical rarities, in beds 

 or groups on a lower level, and then such masses of Rhododendrons and Azaleas as 

 one seldom sees ; while throughout all and connecting all, as a beautiful thought or 

 idea, governing a life, is the green turf in charming sloping glades or widening 

 sweep of beauty, inviting repose. 



But the crowning beauty of these most interesting gardens is the great Conser- 

 vatory, with aquarium in the rear ; the former a modern house of great beauty of 

 structure and most elegant proportions. The entire structure is highly ornamental, 

 this beauty being much enhanced by portions being picked out with chocolate and 



gold. 



The furnishing of the Conservatory was in keeping with the outside, and it con- 

 tained many excellent examples of good cultivation admirably arranged. Among 

 the finest specimens were the following Ferns : 



