GREENHOUSES AND CONSEEVATOEIES. 13 



should be used, as this is apt to cause rank growth, 

 which is not required in the majority of conservatory 

 plants, or they soon become too large for the building ; 

 but should any little stimulus become necessary during 

 the growing season, it can be easily administered in a 

 liquid state. 



The whole of the plants should be so arranged, that 

 a pleasing contrast of foliage may be presented to the 

 eye ; and this can only be satisfactorily produced by a 

 thorough knowledge of the habits 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, and therefore the 

 plants can be removed to fresh places, and the scene 

 more readily varied. During the winter months especially, 

 Dutch Bulbs and various other plants should be intro- 

 duced, to give the whole a gay appearance, because, at 

 this season of the year, this part of the garden is the 

 most enjoyable to the ladies of the family, who are often 

 prevented by wet or inclement weather from visiting 

 plant houses which are situated at a distance from the 

 mansion. 



The finest example of a tropical conservatory we ever 

 saw is the one at Chatsworth Gardens, the property of 

 his Grace the Duke of Devonshire, and at the time we 

 saw it the plants were in excellent condition, reflecting 

 great credit on Mr. Speed, the head gardener ; the fine 

 Palms and Musas give it a splendid tropical effect, and 

 the beauties of all are considerably enhanced by a gal- 

 lery, which thus enables the visitor to inspect the plants 

 above and below, and no large plant house should be 

 erected without a structure of this kind. 



