Jan.] GREEN-HOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. 1007 



house on the appearance of frost, will be still, with a little ma- 

 nagement, in fine bloom. Indeed, the latter genus is often 

 taken up out of the natural ground, while even in full flower, 

 and potted ; after which, they continue in a tolerably flowering 

 state till towards the end of this month. 



Mignionette sown in September in pots, and protected, will 

 now be in fine perfection, and should be disposed of in suf- 

 ficient quantity to produce a degree of fragrance which at this 

 season will be very desirable. A little artifice is necessary 

 during the last, the present, and the succeeding month, to 

 give a gay appearance to these departments, as after that pe- 

 riod, many of the plants in both will be coming naturally into 

 bloom. It may perhaps be thought going rather too far to 

 insinuate that even artificial flowers would have a good effect 

 at this season, but if these be well executed, they may be 

 used, if not with propriety, at least with effect. This we be- 

 lieve is rather a novel idea, and, as far as we know, the 

 practice has not been carried to any extent in this country. . 

 We have been, in conjunction with a gentleman of first- 

 rate talents for taste and judgment in these matters, engaged 

 in a series of experiments of this kind, which were intended 

 to have been exemplified in an undertaking, which unfortu- 

 nately, from unforeseen events, has been rendered next to 

 abortive. However, the experiments have been carried suf- 

 ficiently far to convince us of the practicability of the scheme. 

 Of the flowers best calculated for this device, we have found 

 the whole genus of Camellia, with all its varieties, to suc- 

 ceed the best, and have found less difficulty in getting the 

 flowers manufactured ; indeed, so close was the imitation, that 

 very skilful judges could not detect the substitute amongst the 

 real flowers, at three or four feet distant. Substitutes of this 

 kind may be used for climbing-plants, which are the greatest 

 ornament of a conservatory when in good keeping; and as 

 they are always a considerable distance from the eye, they are 

 less liable to detection. Should tliis be deemed an innovation 

 on tlie horticulturist's taste, as far as regards the decoration 

 of his green-house or conservatory, (for particular occasions,) 

 there can be no impropriety in adopting it to any extent in the 

 decoration of saloons, halls, or rooms, in times of fetes or 



