228 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



particular, when a little artificial warmth is desirable. Room gardening is scarcely a 

 pleasurable pastime unless one can remove the plants to a hospital when sickness overtakes 

 them. 



Indoor gardening in many of those structures attached to the modern villa is fraught 

 with vexation and disappointment, because the houses are not adapted for the growth of 

 even moderately vigorous plants. Light is essential, and for this reason, when the green- 

 house is placed away from the residence it must not be put near to trees or anything to over 

 shadow it and deprive the inmates of sun and air. It is because light is so necessary that 

 a span roofed structure is recommended, open on all sides. A greenhouse filled with a 

 carefully selected group of plants may be kept bright throughout the year. In it may be 

 grown a host of bulbous plants for the spring, to which reference is made in the alphabetical 

 descriptions of indoor flowers. Daffodils should be grown in variety ; the bulbs are cheap, 

 and very certain, hence the beautiful star varieties, the big trumpet-shaped Daffodils, 

 sweetlv-scented Jonquils, and others may be grown freely, fresh and bright harbingers 

 ot those that w ill in due course gladden the garden out of doors. Snowdrops, Scillas, 

 Chionodoxas, Fritillaries, Lilies, and many other things are easilv managed in a greenhouse, 

 whilst, of course, the brilliant Zonal Pelargoniums, or "Geraniums" as they are popularly 

 called, will brighten the place throughout the winter months. When the greenhouse is 

 well stocked with flowers it is easv to keep the rooms gay, as the Daffodils, or whatever 

 the plants may be, can be brought into the house when required. Then, too, how 

 delightful is it to see the famous Marechal Niel Rose clambering over the rafters, or 

 waxy bells of the Lapageria hanging in profusion, near perhaps the delicious blue of the 

 Plumbago. The good gardener will in a greenhouse merely heated to keep out frost 

 ensure a brilliant display in the winter and early spring, commencing again in its fulness 

 in the time of the Chrysanthemum. During the summer one seeks the lawns and borders, 

 and is concerned far less with glasshouse gardening, but in the winter this is different. 

 It is then that the indoor flowers appeal strongly to all who love to possess beautiful things 

 around them. When the proper varieties are chosen an abundance of flowers is easily 



THE LARGE CONSERVATORY, SYON HOUSE, MIDDLESEX. 



