KEMABKS UPON PLANT HOUSES. 7 



devote to their garden, and are probably not so Tvell 

 versed in the requirements of plants as those living 

 in the country, with the advantage of large gardens, 

 these little conservatories require their possessor to 

 have an intimate knowledge of the wants of plants, 

 to enable him to choose those which will thrive in 

 them. For the assistance of such persons we should 

 say, do not attempt to grow any flowering plants of 

 tender constitution, for they will not thrive, and all the 

 time they exist will present a sickly and pitiable 

 appearance. Such things as Cape Heaths and Hard- 

 wooded New Holland plants should also not be attempted, 

 as disappointment is sure to follow ; and, indeed, until 

 Ferns and other ornamental-leaved plants are more 

 largely grown in such structures, they will always look 

 untidy, and whenever entered will create a feeling of 

 regret on the part of the proprietor. To render these 

 unfortunate little conservatories pleasing, therefore, we 

 advise that the principal objects should be ornamental 

 plants of robust constitution, with leaves stout in texture, 

 either green of different shades or variegated, while 

 to vary the scene, and to enliven the whole, some 

 flowering plants should be mixed with them, but they 

 should always be in the minority. The plants most 

 suitable for the houses here described are to be found 

 amongst Palms, Dracaenas, Ferns, Begonias, Agaves, 

 Yuccas, Anthuriums, Aralias, Crotons, and many others, 

 enlivened with flowering plants which will vary according 

 to the season — in winter and spring it may be Dutch 

 bnlbs, Amaryllis, Lachenalias, Cyclamens, &c., &c., these 

 in time will give way to Roses, Rhododendrons, Pelar- 

 goniams, Fuchsias, Double Petunias, and a host of other 

 things. By such an arrangement the general feature will 

 remain, and as these can be more easily managed than 



