OBSERVATIONS ON THE CULTURE OF FLOWERS. 105 



flowers placed in bed-rooms are not wholesome. Plucked and put 

 into water they quickly decay, and, doubtless, give out a putrescent 

 air ; when alive and growing there need not be any danger appre- 

 hended from them, provided fresh air is frequently introduced. For 

 spacious rooms the better kinds, during warm weather, are those 

 which have a large leaf and bossy flower. Large leaves have a very 

 agreeable effect on the senses ; their rich green is grateful to the 

 sight ; of this kind, the Hydrangea is remarkably well adapted for 

 apartments, but it requires plenty of water. Those who have a 

 greenhouse connected with their dwellings, have the conveniences, by 

 management, of changing their plants as the flowers decay ; those 

 who have not, and yet have space to afford them light and occasion- 

 ally air, may rear most of those kinds under their own roofs, which 

 may be applied for ornament in summer. Vases of plaster, modelled 

 from the antique, may be stained any colour most agreeable to the 

 fancy, and fitted with tin cases to contain the earthen pots of flowers, 

 to prevent the damp from acting on them, will look exceedingly 

 well. 



The infinite variety of Roses, including the Guelder Rose, the 

 Rhododendron, and other plants of similar growth, are fitted for the 

 saloon, but they please best in the library. They should be inter- 

 mingled with the bookcases, and stands filled with them should be 

 placed wherever practicable. They are a wonderful relief to the 

 student. There is always about them a something that infuses a 

 sensation of placid joy, cheering and refreshing. Perhaps they were 

 first introduced at festivals, in consequence of their possessing this 

 quality. A flower-garden is the scene of pleasurable feelings of in- 

 nocence and elegance. The introduction of flowers into our rooms 

 infuses the same sensations, but intermingles them more with our 

 domestic comforts; so that we feel, as it were, in closer contact with 

 them. The succession might be kept up for the greater part of the 

 year; and even in winter evergreens will supply their places, and, in 

 some respects, contrast well with the season. Many fail in preserving 

 the beauty of plants in their apartments, because they do not give 

 them sufficient light ; some species do well with much less light than 

 others. Light is as necessary to them as air. They should not he 

 too often shifted from one place to another. Those who will take 

 the trouble may quicken the growth of some plants, so as to have 

 spring flowers in winter. Thus autumn and spring might be con- 



