OUR GREENHOUSES, AND WHAT WE GROW IN THEM. 61 



them grow their flowers for cutting in some greenhouse used for nothing 

 else, and use their conservatories and fine plant-houses for specimen plants. 



But there is a fundamental error underlying all this theory ; a poorly 

 grown plant does not produce more flowers than one grown with care as a 

 specimen ; the former may be sooner drawn into bloom, but the latter af- 

 fords the greatest profusion. 



A constant cutting of the flowers will ruin a specimen plant, unless great 

 care is taken, and this, together with the time taken to perfect the speci- 

 men, is another reason gardeners will not grow specimens. 



But the plant is the object of attraction as much as the flower ; without 

 it, the flowers are not shown to the best advan*^age, and the perfection of 

 beauty is attained when a perfectly symmetrical plant is seen, healthy in 

 foliage, free from disease, and gemmed with a profusion of bud and blossom. 



Before closing this rambling article, let us consider a few of the plants 

 which, now neglected, would, as specimens, be pictures of beauty. 



And, first, the Camellia. This plant is by nature of the most symmetri- 

 cal form, and with little care can be perfectly grown ; contrary to the gen- 

 eral opinion thtre is no plant ichich bears pruning better than the Camellia ; 

 let the branches be well pruned out, so as not to interfere ; the plants be 

 stocky and well covered with foliage ; the roots allowed room enough, and 

 the soil kept sweet and rich; and the specimen is obtained. The common 

 care of removing all but two flower-buds, or even one from each shoot, 

 with other minor cares, must not be neglected ; but, above all, do not crowd 

 your plants ; let them have light and air on every side, above and below, 

 and keep an even, low temperature ; follow this plan and you will no longer 

 complain of weak plants, long-drawn, tall specimens with yellow leaves and 

 dropping buds ; and you will be surprised at the health and vigor of your 

 plants. From one plant thus cared for, you will obtain more bloom than 

 from a dozen camellias as commonly grown. 



The Daphne — a lovely, always grown, but always neglected flower — will 

 make a lovely specimen ; do not spare the knife, for its tendency is to long, 

 leafless branches. You must also begin with a young plant, for to reclaim 

 an old specimen is well-nigh hopeless. 



We do not propose to give the rules of culture for any plant, presuming 

 our readers know how to grow the plants, but merely mention those adapted 

 for specimens with any peculiarity, the knowledge of which may be useful 

 in growing the plant to advantage. 



Azaleas are too well known to be commented upon, and their beauty aa 

 specimens cannot be too highly praised. 



Acacias are only seen to advantage planted out in the greenhouse bor- 

 ders; being by nature trees, they never make fine specimens in pot culture, 



Achsenia malvaviscus, as before observed, makes a lovely specimen, and 

 bears pruning well. 



Fuchsias of all kinds show to great advantage properly grown, — except, 

 perhaps, the white corolla varieties, which are of too weak a habit to 

 make large plants. 



