REMARKS ON VERANDAHS FOR PLANTS, ETC. 101 



where it has the effect of excluding the light. There can, however, 

 be no objection to the pilasters between the front sashes being so 

 constructed as to show the style of architecture to which they belong. 

 In regard to the dimensions of such houses, they should, uuder few 

 circumstances, be of less length than that of the front of the house 

 against which they are placed, and indeed of which they may be said 

 to form a part: their height and width must always be governed by 

 circumstances. If a sloping roof be adopted, it cannot be higher 

 than the sill of the windows of the rooms immediately above it; the 

 width then must be contracted to allow of sufficient fall for the water 

 to run off, as the front or upright sashes should not be less than eight 

 feet in height. To obviate this difficulty, and to increase the width, 

 a curvilinear, or span roof, may be adopted, the centre or ridge of 

 which may be, without objection, a foot or two above the level of the 

 sill of the first-floor windows, because it will be sufficiently distant to 

 prevent the view from being interrupted, or the rooms from being 

 darkened. 



Such structures are, however, better adapted for the display of 

 flowering plants and fine specimens already grown to perfection, than 

 for the more delicate process of rearing them from seeds, cuttings, 

 &c. Such a house as I am now alluding to should present at all 

 times a perfect whole. The very changing of the plants, when going 

 out of flower, or the introduction of such as are coming into bloom, 

 should be conducted early in the morning, or when the family is 

 from home, or gone out, so that no appearance of disorder or con- 

 fusion may be observed. Of course, in this case, I allude to families 

 of distinction and fashion. The more humble, yet no less zealous 

 amateur, may take delight in conducting these arrangements per- 

 sonally, and derive as much pleasure from the contemplation of his 

 own handiwork as his more opulent and luxurious neighbour in 

 viewing that which is prepared for him. 



To maintain a regular supply for a house of this description, when 

 it is intended to be kept in the first degree of elegance and perfection, 

 it will be necessary to have recourse elsewhere, and this can easily be 

 accomplished, either by purchasing from the nurserymen, or by 

 growing plants in a pit or greenhouse, in the same garden. There 

 are certain plants that may be kept in the verandah at all periods, 

 and indeed they form one of the principal features in this style of 

 greenhouse, namely, Camellias, Oranges, Pittisporums, Magnolias, 



