57O THE GREEN-HOUSE [MAR. 



The heaths, in general, and several other of the 

 small, and more ornamental genera and species, 

 should be placed on the crib-trellis above the flues, 

 in groups by themselves : by which they are the 

 better contrasted with the other tribes, and appear 

 in a more striking point of view. This method of 

 grouping the plants may be practised on the stages 

 also, to a certain extent, if thought right, by sorting 

 or sizing those of any particular genus that is nume- 

 rous. But this is a mere matter of taste, and can 

 have no effect on the general welfare of the plants. 

 It is of greater importance to arrange the whole, so 

 as to have the appearance of a regularly sloping 

 bank, or a hanging wood in miniature. 



The plants, however, should in no case be crowd- 

 ed, but should stand quite free, and as it were, de- 

 tached from each other ; shewing their respective 

 outlines or forms ; which, if they be healthy, and 

 be well managed in the arrangement, has a very 

 charming effect. 



I believe few good gardeners place flats or saucers 

 under their green-house plants, as formerly used to 

 be done, and as still practised (no doubt with greater 

 propriety) in rooms, for preserving the furniture 

 and floors from spilt water. It is generally admit- 

 ted, that it is a bad practice for the welfare of the 

 plants, on account that their roots are much injured 

 if the flats be not emptied of the superabundant wa- 

 ter, soon after it filters into them. This emptying 

 being a troublesome and inconvenient matter, where 

 a large collection is kept, the flats are generally disr 

 used, and the water is allowed to fall to the ground. 



