CHAP. xi\' VILLA (iAKDENlNG 225 



motionless body of air which on cold nights forms such a good 

 protection. The invention in question was reported favourably on 

 at the time, but I suppose Mr. Howlett did not meet with sufficient 

 eucoiu'ageraeut to induce him to persevere. I am convinced that, 

 in this or some other form, the owners of small conservatories 

 might save their plants in winter without the necessity for a foe. 

 There are other ways of managing an uuheated house so as to take 

 a good deal from it without running much risk of losing the plants. 

 Most of us know that plants growing in a border will bear more 

 cold than if in spot and exposed. Merely plunging the pot has 

 been known in severe straits of weather to save the life of the 

 plant. Hence it seems to follow that in uuheated conservatories 

 the main feature should partake of some degree of permanency. 

 Groups of Camellias, for instance, will always be a striking featm-e 

 in sucli a house. There are 



Many Japanese Plants bearing variegated foliage which may 

 be used freely to give tone and character to such a house. I 

 contend that unless the main features can be kept liealthy and 

 thriving without skilled or with only ordinary care, the house 

 cannot be a source of pleasure, for imhealthy plants are always an 

 eyesore. Besides the plants named there are many others of 

 striking aspect calculated to inspire interest, — from China, India, 

 and the Australian colonies. Plants which are rather too tender 

 to thrive generally in the open air will be quite at home in an 

 unheated house. Among these are Palms and Dracaenas from 

 Australia, Pthododendrons from India. Indeed, with a little trouble 

 and investigation, a house could be filled in a most interesting 

 manner witli a number of i^lants which occupy a sort of debatable 

 ground between the tender and those hardy enough to withstand 

 our climate in the open. Besides the plants which attain to 

 some size, there are many little things among bulbs, exclusive of 

 the Japanese Lilies, which would be a special feature ; and if in 

 addition there was a pit and a frame or two, many things in pots 

 could be brought on to furnish any bare space. Pots of annuals 

 and many other early-blooming spring flowers (Wallflowers, for 

 instance), sheltered in a cold frame, will bloom very early ; in fact, 

 if sown early, they will blossom all the winter. Brompton Stocks 

 may be grown in pots, or rather be potted up in autumn and 

 wintered in a cold jDit for spring blossoming. Neat little bushes 

 of Laurestines are useful in winter, and also the early hardy 

 Daphne ]\Iezereum. I append a short list of plants suitable for 

 culture in an unheated house, but many others may be added : — 

 Agapanthus, white and blue ; Aralia Sieboldi ; Azalea indica, vari- 

 ous ; Aruudo Donax variegata, Aspidistra lurida variegata. Bamboos, 



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