9S2 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



west, or north. In the former may be cultivated all tender 

 and delicate plants, particularly those denominated Cape plants, 

 such as Ericas, Pelergo?iiums, Diosmas, &c., which prosper 

 in a full exposure to the sun. In the latter may be cultivated 

 Cryptogamous plants, and the majority of New-Holland plants, 

 with thick or coriaceous leaves, &c. ; and during the period 

 when almost all plants are in flower, the latter will be found 

 the most suitable for them, as their flowers will continue in 

 perfection much longer in such, than in one which is more 

 exposed to the sun. The latter will also be found extremely 

 useful during summer, when the generality of green-house 

 plants are taken out of the houses for the reception of some 

 of the more delicate Ericas, Heliclirysum, Epacris, and 

 some other tender species, that are found not to succeed well 

 when turned out in the open air. 



ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CONSERVATORY. 



It has been justly observed by one of our best practical 

 writers on this subject, that in the construction of plant-houses, 

 fancy may be indulged in, and a greater scope may be allowed 

 to the taste than in the construction of forcing-houses, where 

 one object is only in view, viz. the production of certain fruits 

 to the utmost possible degree of perfection. 



In the construction of all habitations for plants which are 

 designed for ornamental purposes, elegance of design should 

 not be lost sight of ; and while the conservatory admits a suf- 

 ficiency of light and the proper means of admitting air in 

 abundance, the latter of which is of much importance, the 

 size and form may be such as to harmonize with the other 

 parts of the mansion, or taste of the owner. In the construc- 

 tion of the conservatory, the artist may display much archi- 

 tectural taste, without rendering the house by any means unfit 

 for plants ; and those structures which are erected without a 

 considerable share of such taste, will always appear puerile 

 and mean. That taste may be here indulged in without injury, 

 is evident from the variety of structures of this kind erected 

 upon different principles ; and in such we have often observed 

 the success in the cultivation to depend more upon the ma- 



