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THE CONSERVATORY. 
The Winter Garden proper, or Conservatory, is a delightful spot in which 
to spend an hour occasionally during the cold storms of winter — a little 
Eden of our own making — a tropical summer brought to our own doors. 
All who can afford the expense, we think, should enjoy this luxury. It costs 
something, to be sure, but the money is not wasted. The making of the 
building gives employment to those who need it, very likely; the purchase 
of plants encourages the florist to continue the cultui'e of these beautiful 
objects. Money spent in luxuries that are elevating and refining is M^ell spent. The florist who 
grows plants for sale finds that the demand is greatest for small specimens. He therefore crowds 
every possible space with plants so as to secure as great a return as possible. Amateurs, how- 
ever, who erect conservatories for pleasure make a great mistake when they imitate the florist in 
this respect. Private conservatories are made for pleasure, and should be arranged somewhat in 
the manner of a garden, with a few large and beautiful plants, and broad Avalks, where the pro- 
prietor and his family can lounge away an hour pleasantly, in a measure free from care. 
What a blessing a rich man would be to a neighborhood, if he were to build such a conser- 
vatory as we have described, and say to his neighbors and their children that it was constructed 
partly for their pleasure, and that, at certain times, say two or three days in a M'eek, all were 
invited to call and enjoy its pleasures at their convenience. Something of this kind is by no 
means uncommon in Europe, and we have often had the pleasure of uniting with the public in 
visiting the private, yet magnificent, grounds and houses of many gentlemen, both in England and 
on the Continent. The idea that the people will injure or destroy plants or flowers is entirely 
fallacious. Tens of thousands of people, on some days, visit the Kensington gardens and 
conservatories, yet nothing is harmed. Indeed, if we wished to give an object lesson on good 
manners, we would point to the gardens where the masses of the people congregate. The 
-American people need education on this point. We have given in the engraving something 
of an idea of what we think an amateur conservatory should be. 
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