532 THE HOT-HOUSE. [SEPT. 



For most of the shrubby tribe and herbaceous plants of the hot- 

 house, prepare equal parts of good light garden earth and mellow 

 surface loam from a rich pasture ground, with the turf; add to these 

 a fourth of very rotten or old hot-bed dung, and let the whole be 

 duly incorporated and exposed to the weather several months before 

 it is used, turning the heap over every five or six weeks. 



A PLANT CABINET. 



A " plant cabinet/' while it scarcely aspires to the dignity of a 

 conservatory, possesses the attractions of one, and gives the family 

 of the possessor as much pleasure as a more expensive arrangement. 



A bay-window, in one of the most frequented rooms (Fig. 58), 

 suggested itself as a suitable place for bringing the plants as they 

 bloomed, from a small green-house too distant from the dwelling to 

 be visited in bad weather. 



Simple glas"s sashes to fit the opening were procured ; they open 

 like a double door ; shelves on one side support the plants, and small 

 wooden brackets screwed on to the walls here and there, assist to 

 furnish this little jewel of beauty. In the centre is an ornamental 

 post, of red cedar varnished, up which climbs two different colored 

 Maurandia Barclayanas, and the top is ornamented with a golden 

 fern. In front are seen two China seats ; on these are placed orna- 

 mental long-stemmed climbing plants, and hanging vases assist ma- 

 terially in the effect. During winter the cabinet is gay with the 

 finest camellias and other flowers. Chrysanthemums, at the proper 

 season, give it their peculiar attractions. In short, there are few 

 plants that are not exhibited in succession; even orchideous, and 

 other tender varieties, are introduced with success. In extremely 

 cold weather the door is left a little ajar to admit the warmth of the 

 room, especially at night, and the thermometer has not yet fallen be- 

 low 45. 



The whole cost of fitting up this beautiful case, exclusive of the 

 flowering plants, did not exceed twenty-five dollars. It gives com- 

 pleteness and beauty, and an expression to the house that could be 

 produced in no other mode so cheaply. But it has a higher object; 

 it embues all connected with the mansion with a love of flowers, and 

 gratifies many senses. A pair of Canary birds are sometimes let out 

 of their cages to enjoy the liberty of the cabinet. 



Cowper, in his happiest manner, has alluded thus to the love of 

 Nature's works : 



" The love of Nature's works 

 Is an ingredient in the compound, man, 

 Infused at the creation of the kind. 

 And, though th' Almighty Maker has throughout 

 Discriminated each from each, by strokes 

 And touches of his hand, with so much art 

 Diversified, that two were never found 

 Twins at all points yet this obtains in all, 

 That all discern a beauty in his works, 

 And all can taste them." 



