110 PARSONS ON THE ROSE. 



The strength of guano is also so varied, that we should 

 feel very cautious in using it according to the above re- 

 ceipt. While, however, we would not venture to ques- 

 tion the general utility of his directions, we may perhaps 

 say, that we have found our own plan effective in its re- 

 sults, and productive of thrifty plants and beautiful flow- 

 ers. We would advise cultivators to test them both, and 

 adopt that which succeeds best in their hands. A pit of 

 the above description can be constructed at a very low 

 price, and should be found on the premises of every gen- 

 tleman of even very moderate income, for the supply of 

 his parlors during winter. If, in addition to this, there 

 were constructed on the east side of the house, and facing 

 south, a little room with a glass front and roof, opening 

 into the parlor, and heated either by a valve from the 

 house furnace, or by a water-back connected with the 

 parlor grate, more enjoyment would be afforded the lover 

 of flowers than could be obtained by any other outlay of 

 two hundred dollars. This room could then be kept con- 

 stantly filled with roses from the pit, and through the 

 most dreary winter, amid rain, snow, and storm, would 

 present a bright array of the living reminders of spring 

 and summer. It is a matter of niuch surprise, that, 

 among all the beautiful country residences in the vicinity 

 of our large cities, surrounded by all the appliances of 

 luxury and comfort that taste and wealth can afford, so 

 few instances are found in which the drawing-room or 

 parlor opens into a green-house or conservatory. These 

 buildings are frequently placed at a distance from the 

 house, and although they may be filled with the most 

 beautiful and rare exotics, are, during the greater part of 

 the winter, inaccessible to the ladies of the family. 



Let gentlemen of wealth, then, place their vineries any- 

 where, but use them as forcing-houses when the vines are 

 in a dormant state. Let them also have a green-house 

 or conservatory opening from the drawing-room, into 



