THE PLEASURE GROUND. 261 



CONSTRUCTION OF THE PLANT STOVE 



The structure of a Stove, for the growth of tro- 

 pical plants, may be of various dimensions and form, 

 according to the taste of the proprietor, and size of 

 the plants that are intended to be cultivated. In 

 some cases, a collection of small bushy plants is pre- 

 ferred to those of a larger size ; but where large 

 flowering specimens are preferred, a lofty house 

 should be erected, to allow them plenty of room for 

 the free development of their flowers and foliage. 



The accompanying Plate, Fig. 1, represents the 

 ground plan and section of the Plant Stove here ; 

 the length of which is about 40 feet ; height, at the 

 back wall, 14 feet ; and width, 15 feet; along the 

 centre of which is a pit 8 feet in breadth, for hold- 

 ing either tan or tree leaves, for the placing of the 

 plants on. This pit is generally filled every Autumn 

 with the leaves recently fallen from the trees ; and 

 after they have heated and subsided a little in the 

 pit, their surface is trod firmly, and then covered 

 over with sand for the plants to stand on, whereby 

 their roots are cherished through the Winter months 

 by the gentle warmth produced by the fermenting 

 leaves. 



This house is heated by hot water, lately intro- 

 duced ; the pipes run close to the front wall, as is 

 indicated in the plan, Fig. 1. In this department 



