124 



THE GREEN-HOUSE. 



the EricecBf GeraniacecBi &c., that the whole he 

 grouped together ; not in a formal manner, hut so as 

 to show a sort of relationship or connexion, and at 

 the same time to hlend in with surroundino: e^enera. 

 It may he alleged, that w^iere some of the species of 

 a genus are large plants, and others small_, this could 

 not well he done consistently with showing off the 

 plants to advantage : but such an objection arises from 

 taking too formal a view of the subject. By keeping 

 plants together, it is not meant to keep them in con- 

 tact in a compact clump, but to place them in visible 

 connexion in irregular groups, which is quite consis- 

 tent with placing the tallest plants of the group on 

 the upper part of the stage, and the lesser plants 

 nearer the spectator. It is sufficient that the con- 

 nexion of the species be recognised by the eye, and 

 that there appear in the green-house, what there 

 always is in natural scenery, something like a natu- 

 ral gradation, and blending of character, in shrubs, 

 trees, and herbs growing together. 



Besides some attention to keeping together genera 

 and species, or natural orders where the case admits 

 of it, it is desirable also to see that they harmonize 

 in growth with the adjoining genera or natural orders. 

 For example, after the group of Camellias, it would 

 be too violent a contrast to commence with Succu- 

 lents ; but the Myrtle tribe, or Proteacece, might very 

 well adjoin ; then LeguminosecB, GeraniacecEy and 

 next the Succulents. In short, the most perfect mode 



