THE GREEN-HOUSE. 



123 



the best manner. One common rule is, to place the 

 smaller plants in front, and the larger behind ; this 

 is most generally proper, because it brings the 

 smallest plants nearest the light. In some cases, how- 

 ever, where there is a front wall which reaches higher 

 than the lowest shelf of the stage, or which throws a 

 shadow on it, it is better to place the smallest plants 

 three or four shelves high on the stage, and plants of 

 a larger description on the bottom shelves. This 

 more effectually attains the object of getting the 

 smallest plants nearest the light, and also brings them 

 near the eye. 



A second general rule is, to mix all the different 

 plants as thoroughly as possible, so that no two of a 

 species, or even, if possible, of a genus, may be seen 

 together. The object of this mixture is to produce 

 variety ; but a little reflection will convince any one, 

 that instead of variety it produces a sameness of 

 mixture exactly the reverse. Variety requires a 

 certain degree of distinctness of character or fea- 

 ture, on which the eye can repose itself before pro- 

 ceeding to another : but where every thing is indis- 

 criminately mixed together, there can be no features, 

 nothing on which the eye can dwell with satisfaction ; 

 all is confounded, and reduced to a mere chaos of 

 forms and colours. Instead of this mode of mixture, 

 we recommend, as much as is practicable, that each 

 genus and species be kept by itself; and where a 

 number of genera form a striking natural order, as 



