CHE NT. 77 



night without injury to the plants, which remain snug in 

 their destined winter-quarters, and are never touched by 

 the household servants *. At this season, the greater part 

 of the greenhouse plants were set abroad in the walks and 

 borders ; but better taste was shewn here than in some 

 other greenhouses which we had lately visited, for a few 

 plants were still left to adorn the house. Among those 

 may be noticed several large oleanders (Nerium oleander), 

 of the rarest varieties, with double white, and also with 

 double purple blossoms ; and Passiflora incarnata, which 

 was now in flower. There was also a stage for carna- 

 tions, containing several choice flowers, now in perfection. 

 One instance of very bad taste in decoration, we must not 

 conceal : it consists in placing among the taller greenhouse 

 plants several gigantic human figures, about twelve feet 

 high, formed of basket-work, and in the full dress of the 

 court of the King of the Netherlands ! 



The hot- house next to the dwelling-house is provided with 

 a tan-pit, or is fitted up as a stove, and contains a large col- 

 lection of East and West India plants, in a very healthy state. 

 The papaw-tree (Carica papaya) was at this time in flower-)-. 



* When valuable greenhouse plants are exhibited in ball-rooms, or at 

 grand entertainments, they seldom escape damage. The most magnificent 

 specimen of Chili Pine (Araucaria imbricata) at Kew Gardens, was irretrie- 

 vably injured by its presence at a single gala at Carlton-House, owing to the 

 servants having very imprudently attached lamps to the branches of the 

 tree. 



•f A small quantity of the juice of this plant rubbed upon butchers-meat, 

 greatly intenerates it, without injuring its quality, — a singular property, of 

 which the West Indian housewife has long availed herself, although the fact 

 has been so little attended to in this country, as not even to be hinted at in 

 Professor Martyn's edition of Miller's Dictionary. Three or four plants, of 

 different sizes and ages, so as to be ready to succeed each other, might easi- 

 ly have a place in every large stove ; and if beef and mutton may be made 



