86 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Palms, and all kinds of flowering plants. And when we consider 

 the vast quantity of plants and flowers sent to London and the 

 different provincial markets, it will at once be seen how enor- 

 mously the cultivation of plants and cut flowers has increased, and 

 to what an extent it has benefited horticulture commercially, 

 providing additional employment for large numbers of men, 

 women, and children. You cannot even go into any back street in 

 London without seeing eight out of every twelve window-ledges 

 covered with plants ; and this not only shows that a great 

 elevating influence is being developed amongst the working- 

 classes, but that it is a benefit to vast numbers of working: 

 people who are employed in the cultivation of plants. 



It will be within the recollection of most horticulturists, and 

 of those who love flowers and can appreciate their effect when 

 judiciously arranged, what magnificent groups of plants were 

 arranged for effect some few years ago by the leading London 

 nurserymen and florists at the Eoyal Horticultural Society's 

 Gardens, and at Eegent's Park, Manchester, and various other 

 places ; and how much it did towards infusing and developing a 

 taste for a more natural style in the arrangement and adornment 

 of conservatories, dwelling-houses, and garden decoration in 

 general. Nature is the greatest schoolmaster, and the only guide 

 the floral artist should take lessons from. He should " consider 

 the lilies how they grow," and watch our meadows and the banks 

 of our meandering streams clothed with their simple flowers, 

 and see how all is arranged for good effect, and watch how the 

 juxtaposition of colour is displayed. Nature never arranges two 

 things alike, only in cases of trees or shrubs, when seen in 

 woodland scenery. This, therefore, is the great lesson to all who 

 would aspire to arranging plants for effect, never to arrange any 

 match-pairs of plants in their groups, but make them as dis- 

 similar as possible. The wonderful display made by the Covent 

 Garden growers on recent occasions at the Eoyal Horticultural 

 Society's great spring shows at the Temple, is a sufficient proof 

 of what the energetic and plodding industry of horticulturists 

 can attain. 



I will now give a list of a few of the many plants suitable 

 for house and window-box decoration. For either purpose the 

 following may be used, and can in all cases be depended on if 

 kept properly watered and clean. Palms are to all intents and 



