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THE HOME FLORIST. 



THE 



Fig. 25. 



AMATEUR'S CONSERVATORY. 



A well managed Plant Conservatory opening from the living room, and accessible at 

 all times, is, perhaps, the most beautiful and ever-changing source of recreation that can be 

 introduced in connection with the home, and in consideration of the attractive features it pos- 

 sesses is comparatively an inexpensive source of gratification, particularly if the duties connected 

 with its management are discharged by the patrons of its innumerable stores of interest. 



The subject of conservatories is, at the present time, comparatively new and unde- 

 veloped. This is especially true outside of our large cities, and doubtless many amateurs have 

 given the subject of possessing one some consideration, only to finally drop it entirely with the 

 belief that, however desirable this would be, the erection of one for a moderate amount, and the 

 after management of it, would, in their case, be hardly practical, if not wholly impossible. 



It is my desire to present, in the pages of the HOME FLORIST, such facts and suggestions 

 relative to building, stocking and managing home conservatories as experience points out as 

 being applicable to the wants of amateur florists, hoping by these means to remove erroneous 

 impressions, and enable the reader to view the matter in a proper and practical light. 



Utility of a Conservatory. With the erection of a suitable structure, cut flowers 

 for bouquets and other means of adornment can be grown quite as well in winter as in the open 

 ground in summer, thus affording a continuous season of flowers; besides, all beautiful and rare 

 plants may be grown of large size, and to greater perfection than is possible, without means of 

 the perpetual growing state of atmosphere which should here exist, and young plants for the flower 

 garden, hanging baskets and other purposes can be propagated and reared without addi- 

 tional expense, while vegetable and flower seeds of all kinds may be started into growth. These 

 various last-named items, with the growing of flowers, which would otherwise be bought 

 at the florist's greenhouses in winter, may be made to go far towards balancing the expense and 

 investment account. Besides, in most small towns, where no regular florist is located, or in the 

 rural districts, the home conservatory, aside of serving the purpose for which it was intended, 

 might readily be made self-supporting, and more, if those who have the management in hand 

 would desire to engage in growing a stock of plants and some extra hanging baskets, and offer- 

 ing them for sale at a reasonable price. They would be surprised to see how eagerly neighbors 

 and friends would purchase all their surplus that could be spared, in the spring, when the plants 

 Avoulcl be in full vigor and flower. I also venture the assertion, that were more cut flowers 

 and nice foliage grown in winter, than would be needed for home use, by making such fact 

 known, a demand could easily be created for them at paying prices, to be used for bouquets and 

 decorating at weddings, parties, etc. I make these suggestions in the belief that in thous- 

 ands of vicinities throughout our country persons might combine profit with pleasure in cultivat- 

 ing plants and flowers in the conservatory with the most pleasing results. Ladies and young 

 people, especially, would find this a pleasing and fascinating employment for spare moments, 

 and one devoid of heavy or irksome toil. 



