CULTURE OF THE ROSE. 165 



thermometer at zero ; and if it should, we would think it rather 

 dangerous to give so high a temperature at once. The strength 

 of guano is also so varied, that we should feel very cautious in 

 using it according to the above receipt. While, however, we 

 would not venture to question the general utility of his directions, 

 we may perhaps say, that we have found our own plan effective 

 in its results, and productive of thrifty plants and beautiful 

 flowers. We would advise cultivators to test them both, and 

 adopt that which succeeds best in their hands. A pit of the 

 above description can be constructed at a very low price, and 

 should be found on the premises of every gentleman of even very 

 moderate income, for the supply of their parlors during winter. 

 If in addition to this, there were constructed, on the east side of 

 the house and facing south, a little room with a glass front and 

 roof, opening into the parlor and heated either by a valve from 

 the house furnace or by a hollow-back connected with the parlor 

 grate, more enjoyment would be afforded the lover of flowers than 

 could be obtained by any other outlay of two hundred dollars. 

 This room could then be kept constantly filled with roses from 

 the pit, and through the most dreary winter, amid rain, snow, 

 and storm, would present a bright array of the living reminders 

 of spring and summer. It is a matter of much surprise, that, 

 among all the beautiful country residences in the vicinity of our 

 large cities, surrounded by all the appliances of luxury and com- 

 fort that taste and wealth can afford, so few instances are found 

 in which the drawing-room or parlor opens into a green-house or 

 conservatory. These buildings are frequently placed at a dis- 

 tance from the house, and although they may be filled with the 

 most beautiful and rare exotics, are, during the greater part of the 

 winter, inaccessible to the ladies of the family. 



Let gentlemen of wealth, then, place their vineries anywhere, 

 but use them as forcing-houses when the vines are in a dormant 

 state. Let them also have a green-house or conservatory open- 

 ing from the drawing-room, into which all the plants can be 

 brought from the vinery whenever they show signs of bloom. 

 This conservatory can be heated by hot water, flowing through 



