124 AN ESSAY ON FLOWERS. 



their possessing this quality. A flower-garden is the scene of 

 pleasurable feelings of innocence and elegance. The introduction 

 of flowers into our rooms infuses the same sensations, hut inter- 

 mingles 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, ever- 

 greens 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 be 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 connected ; and 

 flowers blooming in the winter of our gloomy climate possess 

 double attractions. 



For my own part, I manage very well without the advantage 



of a green-house. The evergreens serve me in winter. Then the 



Lilacs come in, followed by the Guelder Rose and Woodbine, the 



latter trained in a pot upon circular trellis-work. After this, there 



can be no difficulty in choosing, as the open air offers every variety. 



I arrange all my library and parlour-plants in a room in my 



dwelling-house, facing the south, having a full portion of light, 



and a fire-place. I promote the growth of my flowers for the 



early part of the year by steam-warmth, and having large tubs and 



boxes of earth, I am at no loss, in my humble conservatory, for 



flowers of many kinds when our climate offers none. The trouble 



attending them is all my own, and is one of those employments 



which never appear laborious. Those who have better conveniences 



may proceed on a large scale ; but I contrive to keep up a due 



succession, which to a floral epicure is every thing. To be a day 



in the year without seeing a flower is a novelty to me ; and I am 



persuaded much more might be done with my humble means than 



I have effected, had I sufficient leisure to attend to the retarding 



or forcing them. I cover every space in my sitting-room with 



the beautiful fairy things of creation, and take so much delight in 



the sight of them, that I cannot help recommending those of 



limited incomes, like myself, to follow my example and be their 



own nurserymen. The rich might easily obtain them without; 



