A.-SB CONSERTATOnr. 239 



CHAPTER XXI. 



HA.EDT PLANTS IN THE GREENHOUSE. 



Incidentally several kinds of hardy plants have been 

 referred to as suitable for greenhouse cultivation. It remains, 

 however, to be said that there are certain kinds of hardy 

 herbaceous and alpine plants that really require the shelter 

 of glass, but never need the aid of artificial heat, and are par- 

 ticularly worthy of the attention of the amateur who can find 

 delight in seeking out the minor gems and jewels of the vege- 

 table kingdom. There are to be found hundreds of plants of 

 the most beautiful character and the most hardy constitution, 

 which it is difficult to keep alive in the open border, not 

 because our winters are too cold, but because they are too 

 damp and variable. Many of these are known as " frame 

 plants," and others are grown on rockeries, and others again 

 are popular bedders, and a considerable number are varieties 

 that puzzle their possessors until they are taken into an un- 

 heated airy greenhouse, and there they thrive in a surprising 

 manner. We propose that a selection of such plants should 

 be made expressly for cultivation under glass, and to present 

 the idea in the simplest manner possible we will build for 

 them a low span-roofed house, with sliding lights and glass 

 sides, resting on low brick walls : in these walls ventilating 

 shutters ; the inside furniture to consist of a simple stage on 

 each side, and that is all. The question of heating is inten- 

 tionally avoided, for this house is not to be heated for (amongst 

 many) three good reasons. In the first place, heating, no 

 matter by what means, occasions much expense and trouble, 

 and unless there are regular gardeners employed, it usually 

 proves a vexation beyond its value, and the neglect of one 

 night may result in the loss of a whole houseful of plants, 

 when perhaps the winter is nearly over. In the second place, 

 for the plants to be grown in this house, fire-heat is not 



