90 



THE GREEN-HOUSE. 



not scientific botanists, tliat if there be such a thing 

 as fine foliage, showy flowers, brilliant colours and 

 elegant shapes, then three-fourths of the plants which 

 require to be grown in green-houses have no claim to 

 these appellations. On the contrary, we affirm that 

 three-fourths are plants of meagre foliage, obscure 

 dingy flowers, and uncouth straggling shapes. Let. 

 us leave these plants, then, to the botanist, who views 

 them very properly with interest as component parts 

 of his system, as links in the great chain of vegetable 

 being. 



In making the above selection we have had five 

 leading objects in view : 



Firstly, To ensure perpetual verdure in the green- 

 house ; for which purpose we have chosen chiefly 

 evergreens, and admitted only such deciduous plants 

 (as Fuchsia, Ahy^sia, &c.) as are remarkable for 

 the beauty of their flowers or their odour. 



Secondly, To ensure a perpetual display of blos- 

 soms : for this end we have admitted none but what 

 are considered as free flowerers ; that is, such as, with 

 the usual culture, send out a profusion of flowers at 

 their blooming season. 



Thirdly^ To ensure not only abundance of blos- 

 soms every month, but a due proportion of blossoms 

 of each of the usual colours. It is a great drawback 

 to the beauty of collections of plants, both exotic and 

 indigenous, that the yellow colour is so predominant 

 in the flower. Reds, scarlets, and whites are the 

 colours that contrast best with the green hue of fo- 



