THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



CHAPTER I. 



PLANT-HOUSES. 



In order to simplify the arrangement of this 

 department, and at the same time to render 

 our remarks on the whole as perspicuous and 

 connected as possible, we propose to divide the 

 subject into two chapters, namely : — 



The management of exotic plants in houses 

 and pits, and the flower garden proper, in 

 which hardy plants only, or such as are capable 

 of developing themselves in the open borders, 

 will be treated on, as well as those requiring 

 slight protection during winter, and which are 

 now cultivated with so much advantage for the 

 purpose of furnishing our parterres during the 

 summer and autumnal months. 



The first division will be arranged in the fol- 

 lowing order, viz. : The Camellia-House, Orchid- 

 House, Bulb-House, Orangery, Heath-House, 

 Aquarium, Stove or Tropical Plant House, 

 Succulent-House, Conservatory, Green- House, 

 Flower-Forcing House and Pits, Cold or Con- 

 servatory Pits, &c. 



The second division will be arranged as fol- 

 lows, viz. : American Garden, Rosary, Lawn, 

 Shrubbery, Florists' Flowers, Conservative Wall 

 and Border, Alpine Garden and Rockery, Peren- 

 nial Plant Garden, Parterre, and Reserve Garden. 



Many of the plants which belong to each of 

 these subdivisions, although widely differing 

 from each other in their botanical affinities, 

 have, nevertheless, so close a connection, so far 

 as their culture is concerned, that the same 

 mode of treatment, in the majority of cases, is 

 applicable to them all. Where, however, a dif- 

 ference of management occurs, it will be parti- 

 cularly noticed. 



Our Select Lists of plants in each division 

 will be limited to those only which possess the 

 highest degree of merit for the abundance and 

 brilliancy of their flowers, or the beauty or 

 singularity of their foliage, but without regard 

 to their date of introduction or origin, unless in 

 such cases where we deem them worthy of 

 general cultivation. 



As even very condensed lists, were we to give 

 VOL. II. 



both the generic and specific name to each plant 

 individually of the thousands we mean to treat 

 on, would occupy much space, we propose to 

 give, in all cases where the genus is sufficiently 

 important, the generic name only, intending 

 that to imply that the majority, if not the 

 whole, of the genus is deserving of cultivation. 

 For example, Miltonia and Odontoglossum (in 

 Orchids) indicate that all the species of both 

 these genera are highly deserving of culture in 

 every collection. 



In cases where the genus is very extensive, 

 and where many of the species constituting it 

 have little to recommend them beyond their 

 strict botanical value, a selection of the best 

 sorts, as exemplified in Acacia, Daviesia, &c, 

 and in the case of mere varieties, as in Camellia, 

 Azalea, &c, only will be given. 



Experience has long ago led, and most of 

 our best cultivators now adopt the rule, to grow 

 only the most choice and select plants ; and 

 indeed many confine themselves to a very few 

 genera, and these they grow to the highest de- 

 gree of perfection. This can never be accom- 

 plished where a general collection is attempted, 

 on account of the vast difference which exists in 

 their natures, particularly in their seasons of 

 growth and rest, which in itself renders the 

 most perfect cultivation impossible, if attempted 

 in the same house. 



This latter circumstance has had its weight in 

 inducing us to adopt the above subdivisions, as 

 well as the appearance it gives of design, order, 

 and effect, produced by associating plants either 

 of one country or climate, or of those having 

 some natural affinity, with each other. 



Suppose an amateur, for example, were to 

 choose any one of the above subdivisions, instead 

 of making his plant-house a receptacle for every 

 plant thrown in his way,he would find by this me- 

 thod far more satisfaction than he would in the in- 

 congruous massing of plants of discordant habits, 

 with which nine-tenths of our plant-houses are 

 at present stored. To attempt in private estab- 



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