INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS. 89 



curb. The principles of culture in these houses being some- 

 what different from the common green-house, it is necessary 

 that they be arranged to suit the plants grown in them. 



The general form of conservatory beds is exactly that of the 

 structure. If the house be a parallelogram, the bed has the 

 same form, sometimes divided in the middle by a path, and 

 sometimes surrounded by a path on both sides. These structures, 

 when properly built and managed, are undoubtedly the means 

 of conferring on lovers of gardening and flowers, enjoyment of 

 the highest and purest character. When a fine conservatory of 

 this kind is attached to the mansion house, or connected with it 

 by a glazed arcade, it forms one of the most delightful prome- 

 nades in winter that wealth and taste can command. 



There is undoubtedly much yet to be done in the way of 

 improving the interior of ornamental conservatories, not only as 

 regards their adaptability to plant culture, but also their general 

 effect. We seldom see anything else than the same flat, formal 

 bed or border, which is either rectangular, round, or square, 

 according as the form of the building may determine by its 

 walls. Even the refinement or elegancies of construction of 

 architecture fail to invest such buildings with any character 

 of distinctness or novelty, owing to the sameness or monotony 

 which forms the basis of the design. As far as relates to the 

 exterior, a considerable improvement is taking place from the 

 use of curvilinear roofs, and lighter and more elegant workman- 

 ship, and also resulting from the adoption of double-roofed 

 houses, instead of the dark, dull, narrow, clumsy shed-like erec- 

 tions which formerly used to be erected, and the various forms 

 of elevation, which are now so generally arranged as to produce 

 a very pleasing and picturesque effect. 



A recent and very general improvement in the construction 

 of green-houses, consists in making the stages and shelves of 

 slate, or thin plates of stone ; this practice is now common about 

 London. These slates are frequently grooved or hollowed out 

 so that the water is retained under the pots, and thus dripping 

 is prevented, and evaporation is provided for in dry weather. 

 This may be considered as a real improvement, which is proved 

 by the readiness with which this practice was adopted by prac- 



