234 CULTIVATION. 



place, they should be l^ept almost dry. This 

 pause in their growth causes them, like common 

 bulbs, to present their flowers earlier, and in 

 more strength. 



In arranging such an assemblage of plants, 

 and fitting up the interior, I know of no place 

 which admits of greater display, or opportunity 

 for the exercise of fine taste, than a conservatory. 

 Even fancy may lend her assistance in the embel- 

 lishment. If, for instance, another smaller and 

 similarly shaped vase, supported on a tripod, 

 were placed within and rising to a due height 

 above the first, and a third still smaller in the 

 second, and so on, diminishing to a point, the 

 whole would be an elegant pyramidal form, of 

 considerable surface, on the same spot : and, be- 

 sides the aquarium base, there would be elevated 

 stations of suitable soil, to receive the magnifi- 

 cent Cacti, and other curious plants of pendulous 

 character. For a like purpose a pyramidal frag- 

 ment of granite*, or two obelisks of the same, 



* Granite would be the most durable; but any softer stone, 

 or even composition, would be more suitable. 



