190 GEEENHOUSK PLANTS. 



roof is often adopted, but we prefer the span-roof to any 

 other. In Conservatories the plants are usually planted in 

 prepared borders, or if all are not so planted, some of the 

 more important are so treated, in order that they may form 

 permanent and striking objects, and thus add to the beauty 

 of other plants which are brought in froin the Greenhouse 

 during their flowering season. In forming borders for the 

 reception of plants, it is necessary in the first place that the 

 ordinary soil should be taken out to a depth of about four 

 feet. From twelve to eighteen inches is then to be filled in 

 with broken bricks and similar material, such as to form and 

 maintain a perfect drainage. Above this, turves of fresh- cut 

 peat are to be laid, with the grassy side downwards ; while 

 the remaining portion is to be filled Up with good soil, of the 

 quality and texture most suitable for the plants intended to 

 be grown. No manure should be used, as this is apt to cause 

 rank growth ; this is not required in the majority of Con- 

 servatory plants, which then soon become too large for the 

 building. The object is rather to encourage the production 

 of good shapely plants and flowering wood. If any little 

 stimulus should become necessary during the growing season, 

 it can easily be administered in a liquid state. 



The whole of the plants should be so arranged that a 

 pleasing and varied scene may be presented to the eye ; and 

 this can only be produced by a thorough knowledge of the 

 habits and flowers of the kinds introduced, and which should 

 be well studied before a permanent work of this kind is 

 commenced. 



In Conservatories of less extent, it is rare that any but a 

 few climbers are planted out, the other plants being usually 

 arranged on stages, so placed as to suit the character of the 

 structure. The plants in such cases only occupy this position 

 during the blooming period, being brought in from the ' 



