CON 



[270] 



CON 



groups into ornamental vases 

 for which suitable places 



mously with Greenhouse, and then it 

 denotes a suitable structure for the cul- 

 tivation of those exotic plants which 

 are just too tender for our climate, yet 

 do not require the hot temperatures of 

 plant stoves, orchid-houses, &c., which 

 are set apart chiefly for plants from the 

 tropical regions. With the greenhouse 

 should be associated the idea of plants 

 cultivated in pots or boxes ; but with 

 conservatory we would associate the idea 

 of plants growing in suitable soil, with- 

 out at least the apparent intervention of 

 pots and boxes, and the structure con- 

 nected with the residence. To keep up 

 the interest of such places, it is neces- 

 sary that plants in bloom should be in- 

 troduced; but in every case the pot 

 should be plunged, so that the plant may 

 appear to be growing in the soil. "We 

 would only make one exception in the 

 case of very small ornamental plants, 

 or even those not so very small, but to 

 which particular attention is wished to 

 be directed. We would elevate them in 

 vases or baskets, 

 should be 



formed, and which would be quite as 

 much in harmony in such a place as 

 in ornamenting a regular geometrical 

 flower-garden. For several reasons, 

 therefore, the planting out in conserva- 

 tory fashion should not be attempted, 

 except with Climbers for the rafters, 

 where the space is but limited, as a few 

 plants, however beautiful at times, when 

 seen every day all the year round in the 

 same position, lose, to a certain extent, 

 the power of pleasing. The having the 

 plants in large pots or tubs would enable 

 you at any time to effect fresh combina- 

 tions. Where the range of glass is 

 varied and extensive, though the plants 

 be chiefly turned out in the soil, the 

 same feeling of sameness is not engen- 

 dered, as the owner may easily enter 

 his house at different points, and in such 

 circumstances the very number of ob- 

 jects will constitute variety. 



Unity of expression is, to a certain 

 extent, maintained, by a mixture of the 

 two modes, the centre of the house being 

 supplied with plants that are really 

 turned out, or which, brought for a tem- 

 porary purpose, appear to be so, while 

 all round the house there is a broad 



shelf for the accommodation of plants 

 in pots. In saying all round the house, 

 we are, of course, alluding to houses 

 that have glass on all sides. Where 

 there is an opaque back wall, the shelf 

 could be only at the front and ends. 

 However desirable it is to have light on 

 all sides, where expense for heating in 

 winter is no great object; yet very 

 pleasing effects are produced, even in' 

 lean-to roofs, where a little attention 

 is paid to unity of idea. This has been 

 strikingly exemplified in the range of 

 plant-houses at the Duke of Devon- 

 shire's, at Chiswick, most of which, with 

 the exception of the centre, the old 

 conservatory, formerly consisted of lean- 

 to forcing-houses. The handsomest 

 small conservatory we know is at Mr. 

 Wilson's, Stamford Hill, near Lon- 

 don. 



With the single exception of planting 

 out, the treatment of the conservatory is 

 similar to that of the greenhouse. Keep- 

 ing this in mind, good drainage should 

 be secured, and the general soil should 

 consist of two parts fibry loam and one 

 of fibry peat, with pieces of sandstone, 

 broken bricks, and charcoal intermixed, 

 to keep it open. The peculiar require- 

 ments of each plant, as respects soil and 

 manure, can be attended to in planting. 

 Where the object is merely to preserve 

 the plants during the winter, the general 

 treatment will be similar to that of a cold 

 greenhouse. Where the ideas of com- 

 fort, alike for the plants and the visi- 

 tors, are to be maintained, and flowering 

 plants are to be introduced liberally in 

 winter, the general temperature should 

 not be lower than 45, and should range 

 from that to 50, allowing 10 or 15 more 

 for sunshine. In such circumstances, 

 the Camellia and the Orange will bloom 

 during the most of the winter, and 

 Acacias, Eugeneas, &c., will bloom early 

 in spring. The greatest possible quantity 

 of air must be given in summer, but in 

 winter it must be very limited in frosty 

 and dull foggy weather, it being better 

 in either circumstances to keep the 

 house rather close, in preference to using 

 large fires. Protecting by covering in 

 severe weather will be of importance. 

 The heating me.lium, to be most effec- 

 tual, should be above ground, but to save 



