136 Landscape Gardening 



growth and vigor of the plants, are certainly no trifling 

 considerations where the country residence is the place of 

 habitation throughout the whole year. Often during the 

 inclemency of our winter and spring months, there are days 

 when either the excessive cold, or the disagreeable state 

 of the weather, prevents in a great measure many persons, 

 and especially females, from taking exercise in the open air. 

 To such, the conservatory would be an almost endless 

 source of enjoyment and amusement; and if they are true 

 amateurs, of active exertion also. The constant changes 

 which daily growth and development bring about in vege- 

 table forms, the interest we feel in the opening of a favorite 

 cluster of buds, or the progress of the thrifty and luxuriant 

 shoots of a rare plant, are such as serve most effectually 

 to prevent an occupation of this nature from ever becoming 

 monotonous. 



The difference between the greenhouse and conservatory 

 is, that in the former, the plants are all kept in pots and 

 arranged on stages, both to meet the eye agreeably, and 

 for more convenient growth; while in the conservatory, 

 the plants are grown in a bed or border of soil precisely as 

 in the open air. 



When either of these plant habitations is to be attached 

 to the house, the preference is greatly in favor of the con- 

 servatory. The plants being allowed more room, have 

 richer and more luxuriant foliage, and grow and flower in a 

 manner altogether superior to those in pots. The allusion 

 to nature is also more complete in the case of plants growing 

 in the ground; and from the objects all being on the same 

 level, and easily accessible, they are with more facility 

 kept in that perfect nicety and order which an elegant 

 plant-house should always exhibit. 



On the other hand, the greenhouse will contain by far 

 the largest number of plants, and the same may be more 

 easily changed or renewed at any time; so that for a par- 

 ticular taste, as that of a botanical amateur, who wishes 

 to grow a great number of species in a small space, the 

 greenhouse will be found preferable. Whenever either the 



