Chap. XV.] WINTER GARDENS. 231 



reversed turves about eighteen inches thick, and upon that a 

 second formed of — 



Stiff loam -.-__. 3 parts. 



Ordinary garden soil - - - - 3 „ 



River, or white sand _ _ .. 2 „ 



Coarse pieces of earth and brickbats - - 1 „ 



Leaf-mould - - _ _ _ 1 



10 



Mix this well together and apply it about a foot thick. Then for 

 the surface add a layer of about five or six inches thick of peat, loam, 

 and leaf-mould from hedgerows, or rotten Willow, Oak, or Chestnut 

 trunks, if attainable, with a tenth part of sand. The peat should 

 be but slightly broken up and the roots left in it. Prepared in 

 this way, it will be ready to receive the Selaginella, which will 

 thrive admirably in it and speedily clothe it with verdure. 



It will be understood that these three layers, forming a total 

 thickness of three feet, will not be of uniform thickness all through 

 the house, because the surface will be undulated. The measure- 

 ment of one yard is merely given as a basis or unit, for the total 

 depth of subsoil in different parts of the house will vary, having, 

 for instance, a depth of only eighteen inches near the basin in the 

 centre of the little lawn, and from four to five feet for the clumps 

 abutting on the flower-bed No. 94. But the top-dressing will be 

 equal all over. The majority of large tropical plants can be 

 grown in such a compost. Those which may require special 

 treatment may be potted in suitable soil and plunged deep enough 

 to conceal them, and allow the Selaginella to spread over their 

 surface. Liquid manure, if used with moderation and judgment, 

 will accelerate the growth of most plants, including Ferns. So 

 much for the preparations for planting. But the key of the 

 question, the secret of success, depends above all upon the choosing 

 and grouping of the plants. This selection may vary to infinity, 

 such are the riches of exotic flowers at our command. It is 

 difficult to lay down rules on the mode of arranging plants 

 .according to the colour and character of their foliage. We may, 

 however, remark that in houses, no matter how splendidly con- 

 structed, the effects of uniformity are bad, and that masses of one 

 species or of one genus of plants should be avoided. The harmony 



