m British Gardens. 443 



become unbearable eyesores in spring; and, as such, they must 

 be removed, at whatever risk. The gardener, who is thus 

 compelled to expose his plants, is often doomed to find those he 

 left rich in foliage, a putrid wreck. 



If such a practice so materially shortens the duration of 

 tender plants, might not one more natural do much to avert 

 such a calamity ? As many of them are able to withstand our 

 winters, protection, except in cases of extreme severity, is 

 unnecessary. But it is of the greatest importance to call them 

 into early and vigorous action, and thereby to lengthen the 

 duration of summer, so that they may be able completely to 

 establish themselves before winter. To accomplish this, I 

 would extend the winter protection to the roots and stems only ; 

 and withold the rest until early in the spring. Exotics naturally 

 commence growing much sooner than our climate, without 

 some artifice, will admit. Protection, applied at the time they 

 are thus excited, must be extremely grateful, and in some 

 it will act like spring. Instead of being removed as the season 

 advances, such protection ought to be augmented, and every 

 stimulus applied and continued, until summer be finally esta- 

 blished, and a recurrence of hard weather out of the question. 

 Plants thus forwarded would be able to make the most of every 

 gleam of summer, and would be ready to retire to rest at its 

 decline. 



Such a system of protection would be attended with splendid 

 results, were the portable glass structures that you have so 

 often recommended in general use : nothing, but our bigoted 

 adherence to that which is^ could so long have kept them from 

 occupying the station that they must some day hold in the 

 establishment of the horticulturist. A fixed peach-house or 

 vinery will probably be as great a curiosity in the next century 

 as a curvilinear one would have been in the last. Who would 

 raise an expensive fixed structure, that could be used only half 

 the year, when a portable one would cost less, and might be 

 employed to advantage every day? When such a revolution 

 takes place, it must be a death-blow to curvilinears ; for, with all 

 their docility, I do not think they could be adapted to the 

 migratory system. I am not by any means hostile to curvilinear 

 houses : I know them to be well adapted to the culture of many 

 things, according to the present mode ; and, were I a pro- 

 prietor regardless of expense, and anxious for something to 

 look at, I should most probably raise one with more curves 

 than ever graced yours at Bayswater. But, were I to erect 

 what I consider would be most useful, I would not think of 

 building a fixed glass structure for plants of any sort. 



I have by me plans of several of my proposed movable 

 structures ; and, if you think that they can interest any of your 



