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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



positions, and have to be more or less extensive and imposing. Whether adjoining a 

 dwelling-honse or mansion, or isolated at no great distance from it, the accompanying 

 illustration (Fig. 127) is suggestive. Such a structure, which is obviously capable of 

 modification or enlargement, would present a fairly imposing appearance, and yet not 

 prove so destructive to plant life as many of the more fanciful buildings are. In a 

 conservatory of this description good scope would be afforded for creating beautiful 

 effects without any serious outlay on plants to fill it. Formal staging of any kind need 

 not necessarily be employed, rock-beds taking the place of a narrow front or side 

 stage, while the back bed could be thinly planted with camellias and orange trees, with 

 tall palms and flowering plants interspersed among them. The bed would naturally 

 prove a good position for the roots of various climbers and wall plants. For the illus- 

 trations we are indebted to Messrs. Foster & Pearson, Beeston, Notts. They represent 

 existing structures, and answer their purpose admirably. 



Stagings should be dispensed with as much as possible in all conservatories, as an 

 array of pots, which nothing short of crowding the plants to an objectionable extent 

 will hide, is a great eyesore to all endowed with taste in such matters. It may not be 

 possible to have a permanent rock-bed arrangement in all instances, but the margins of 

 beds might be made attractive by forming a low mound of earth to support stones, 

 burrs, and the like, among which may be planted selaginellas, tradescantias, ferns, and 

 other plants with creeping stems. Small pot plants could be plunged among these 

 wherever they would add to the effect, while inside of this band larger movable plants, 

 both flowering and with ornamental foliage, could be sunk up to their rims, just hiding 

 the pots, among other permanently-planted occupants of the house. What may be 

 termed the solid, old-fashioned banks of plants absorb large numbers of various kinds, 

 without attracting more than passing notice; whereas the more artistic light arrange- 

 ment sustains the interest all through the house, every well-grown plant showing to 

 the best advantage. When space does not admit of rock beds and plant stages must 

 be formed, the most durable and ornamental are those with the framework constructed 

 of iron, this supporting slabs of slate covered by fine spar or clean gravel. 



Seeing that conservatories (thanks to their easy access from the mansion and 

 the greater privacy enjoyed) are, or should be, favourite promenades, especially 

 in bad weather, the pathways ought always to be wide and pleasant to walk upon. 

 Coloured pavements of the glazed order, besides being somewhat gaudy, cause too 

 much noise or "clatter" when traversed, and good flagstones are preferable. These 



