209 



THE GREEN-HOUSE. 



A GREEN-HOUSE is, perhaps, one of our oldest 

 horticultural buildings. They, it is probable, 

 were first erected for the purpose of keepin^^ 

 exotic evergreen plants, particularly Oranges and 

 Myrtles. Wherever Italian or Grecian architec- 

 ture was introduced, the sweetest Itahan plants 

 were a necessary accompaniment. Hence arose 

 those heavy buildings usually attached as a wing 

 to palaces; which, though capacious enough for 

 very large trees, were by no means suitable 

 either for the protection or health of them. 



The increasing love of botany, together with 

 the constantly increasing numbers of curious 

 exotics introduced to our gardens, called for 

 lighter and better glazed structures for their 

 reception and preservation ; and, consequently, 

 green-houses have been progressively improv- 



p 



