EMBELLISHMENTS. 387 



state of the weather, prevents in a great measure many 

 persons, and especially females, from taking exercise in 

 the open air. To such, the conservatory would be an 

 almost endless source of enjoyment and amusement ; and 

 if they are true amateurs, of active exertion also. The 

 constant changes which daily growth and development 

 bring about in vegetable forms, the interest we feel in the 

 opening of a favorite cluster of buds, or the progress of the 

 thrifty and luxuriant shoots of a rare plant, are such as 

 serve most effectually to prevent an occupation of this 

 nature from ever becoming monotonous or ennuyant. 



The difference between the green-house and conserva- 

 tory is, that in the former, the plants are all kept in pots 

 and arranged on stages, both to meet the eye agreeably, 

 and for more convenient growth ; while in the conservatory, 

 the plants are grown in a bed or border of soil precisely as 

 in the open air. 



When either of these plant habitations is to be attached 

 to the house, the preference is greatly in favor of the 

 conservatory. The plants being allowed more room, have 

 richer and more luxuriant foliage, and grow and flower 

 in a manner altogether superior to those in pots. The 

 allusion to nature is also more complete in the case of 

 plants growing in the ground ; and from the objects all 

 being on the same level, and easily accessible, they are 

 with more facility kept in that perfect nicety and order 

 which an elegant plant-house should always exhibit. 



On the other hand, the green-house will contain by far 

 the largest number of plants, and the same may be more 

 easily changed or renewed at any time ; so that for a 

 ^articular taste, as that of a botanical amateur, who wishes 

 to grow a great number of species in a small space, the 



