308 Witidow Greenhouses. 



but as light as possible, and with six shelves, channelled 

 along the middle for the water to run out of the pots. As 

 the plants are of all sizes, and more of them small than large, 

 the four lower shelves are 4, the fifth 5, and the sixth 6 

 inches broad ; the bottom one 3, the rest 4 inches high, 

 which, with 3 inches allowed for standing in its pan, make 

 the entire height 2 feet 2 inches. 



This frame stands in a water-tight wooden pan, 3 feet 10 

 inches long by 2 feet 4 inches broad, and 3 inches deep, with 

 a hole and plug in one corner to let off the water, so that I 

 can water my plants as freely as I like without wetting the 

 room or making a mess. The whole stands on two three- 

 legged tressles, and the waterpot is kept underneath, so that 

 the water shall be always of the same temperature as the 

 room, a point I have found to be of great importance to the 

 well-being of the plants. 



This stand, painted, cost 15s. And as I began collecting 

 gradually, bought but few, and exchanged with friends, I had 

 a very good collection before I had spent £2 upon my hobby. 

 Since then I have been more expensive, as I will not keep 

 any but first-rate varieties, and unhesitatingly condemn a 

 flower that displeases me, whatever its price in the market. 

 Yet I believe I may challenge any other hobby, far less useful 

 or ornamental than this, on the subject of cost. Careful as I 

 am bound to be of my expenses, I should expect an acquittal 

 from the charge of extravagance even from those who do not 

 partake of the taste for these things. And I am sure that 

 the pleasure and the profit have amply repaid my little outlay ; 

 for profitable it is. Anything that decorates home, and con- 

 centrates a man's amusements and attractions round his own 

 hearth, and unites the rest of his family with him in them, 

 is an avoidance of expense to him, and is worthy of encour- 

 agement as a benefit to society. And among these things, 

 gardening, within legitimate bounds, has always deservedly 

 held a high place. And in this I am sure " window gar- 

 dening " may fairly claim its little modicum of praise, as 

 being least liable to abuse ; unless, indeed, the bedroom be 

 made, as I have sometimes seen it, the depository of plants, 

 for then they are really injurious to health. 



