A Chapter on GreeiiJioiises. 85 



sides is a small wing, which may be enlarged considerably without destroy- 

 ing its symmetry. It is intended to excavate the interior of the house deep 

 enough to have the front shelving of sufficient height for the top of the 

 flower-pots to be about on a level with the top of the sill, which would allow 

 the plants to be seen from the outside with fine effect. This plan is not 

 intended for a large collection, but will admit of a choice and select variety 

 in each department, which may include nearly all that is really desirable. 



One of the wings is to be used as an entrance, the sides of which may 

 be availed of for the growth of oranges and lemons in tubs, or for plants of 

 similar requirements of temperature. The second wing may be used as 

 a camellia-house, or for azaleas and plants of the same hardy character. 

 The third wing may be used for a hot-house for plants of a strictly tropical 

 nature. The fourth wing may be used as an orchid-house and fernery, — 

 the orchids to be suspended from the framework of the roof of the house ; 

 the ferns to be planted in the soil on the floor, which should be so arranged 

 with brick-work and rustic stone, that, when flowing water is accessible, it 

 may be conducted through and around them ; care being used to so place 

 the stone, which must be strictly of a rustic nature, with the water passing 

 in gentle motion, with a proper selection of ferns, intermi.xed with a few 

 water-plants of not too rampant a nature here and there, and other plants, 

 such as dracenas (which do finely) and a few plants of similar habit. 

 The orchids are suspended from the roof, and you will have a view rarely 

 to be excelled. In arranging for this work, care must be used to so place 

 the rustic stone that they may be used as stepping-places for the attendant, 

 space being provided at the entrance for visitors. 



If proper temperature is maintained, the moisture generated and arising 

 is such, that but very little other attention is required. The temperature 

 of this room should be from seventy to eighty. 



The centre house to be for a general collection of greenhouse-plants, and 

 for the exhibition of flowers in bloom from some of the other apartments. 



The walks, it will be observed, are serpentine in form, arranged in easy 

 lines and graceful cun'es, that the eye may find no resting-place to mar the 

 symmetry of the house. In front, the shelving should be of one broad 

 platform of matched lumber, about twenty inches in height, and in a form 

 to correspond with the walks of the house, with a band on the edges about 



