GARDENING STYLES AND GARDEN PLAITS. 49 



the abortions are a libel on good taste. A dwelling-house might, with as 

 much propriety, be built in imitation of a natural cave, as an artificial garden 

 so arranged as to be mistaken for a bit of natural scenery. On the other 

 hand, by proceeding with the idea that Art is to be appai-ent, the capabilities 

 of the site and resources of the garden will be fully developed, if the designs 

 are tasteful and skilfully carried into execution. 



125. The ari'angement of the glass structures is a matter of greater impor- 

 tance than it appears to be at first sight, and requires much more attention 

 than it has sometimes received. Glass, sufficient to form a magnificent block 

 of houses, is frequently scattered over the grounds, creating an appearance of 

 confusion, and interfering most unnecessarilj'- with the economy both of space 

 and labour. To say nothing of the additional expense of working detached 

 houses, they are often so placed as to become an intolerable nuisance, instead 

 of a som-ce of comfort and enjoyment to their possessor. All such structures 

 should be distinguished by utility, ornament, and convenience. The first is 

 often sacrificed to antiquated routme, and houses, built for the culture of tropical 

 plants and fruits, made to exclude more than half of the little light we 

 can afford them. But the genius of Eoutine waves her wand, and lean-to 

 houses, with opaque backs — these antiquated dormitories for plants — still 

 arise at her bidding ; ornamental glass houses seem studiously shunned in 

 many gardens, as if, the uglier houses could be made, the better they must 

 needs be adapted for their intended purposes. Nevertheless, a large measure 

 of structural and decorative beauty is compatible with the highest cultural 

 advantages, and consistent with the severest economy. Glass houses are a 

 never-failing resoui'ce on wet days ; when other amusements fail and out- 

 door exercise becomes impossible ; it is then that they should contribute their 

 largest quota of enjoyment. They should therefore be always accessible 

 from the drawing-room, without the necessity of going out of doors. Pro- 

 bably, the best possible an-angement is to attach the conservatory to the 

 mansion ; and, where there are other houses, to connect all with the con- 

 servatory, by the intervention of a glass passage or verandah. Of course, 

 where there is only one house, whatever its form and designation, this 

 applies with even more force. All glass houses ought to be sj^an, curvilinear, 

 or ridge-and-fun-ow roofed, and should be placed at right angles with the 

 verandah, their end doors communicating with it. They should run north 

 and south, and present east and west aspects to the sun's rays, which is 

 decidedly the best for general purposes. Rooms for young men — fruit-room 

 — mushroom-pits, retarding and propagating houses — potting and tool sheds, 

 &c., should also be placed near to them. Perhaps a span-roofed building, 

 divided in the centre, and running up at one point to the glass, with a building 

 at one end for the reception of a boiler to heat the whole range, would be the 

 very best, and certainly the most economical arrangement. The gardeners 

 3ottagc might also be placed either here, or at the extremity of the centre 

 walk in the kitchen -garden, where a terminal Tudor facade would be ornamental 

 as well as convenient. The glass arcade or verandah should terminate in a 



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