223 
ECONOMY IN FLORICULTURE. 
of man's contemplative faculties. Yet, while we remain ignorant of the minutia?, 
we arrive at general facts, when once we attain assurance that particular effect is 
produced by the application of any known agents. 
Thus, let the fact of a change of pink to blue by the agency of iron dust, be 
once established, and we shall be at no loss to determine whether the action be 
direct, or secondary. 
ECONOMY IN FLORICULTURE. 
When we previously wrote on this subject, we laid as the basis of our remarks 
certain fixed principles by which it might be known what true economy is, or at 
least, what we mean when using that phrase. As the matter must necessarily 
have an interest for all classes of readers, however varied may be their tastes, or 
whatever may be the branch of this art to which they devote themselves, we here 
resume its consideration ; still adhering to the maxims just alluded to, and which 
comprise the position, that the cheapest way of doing a thing is that which accom- 
plishes it in the best possible style, and at the least final and general expense. 
Having already touched upon that extravagance which uses costly houses to 
preserve and grow plants in, when frames would answer the purpose much better, 
and also the waste of heat, labour, &c, incurred by growing plants in greenhouses 
which might be employed in decorating the open beds and borders during summer, 
and stored away in cold pits for the winter, we shall speak of that far greater, 
more expensive, and more common evil, which is occasioned by the use of fire-heat 
in houses of various characters, when there is not only no necessity for it, but 
when it is absolutely harming the plants subjected to it. 
From the commencement of this Magazine, an endeavour has been made in it 
— and that strenuously and frequently— to cry down and eradicate this monster 
extravagance. The like effort has been repeatedly made in other publications. 
Apparently, however, all arguments have been of little avail ; for it is practised in 
many places almost as untiringly as ever, and, in most, to a degree which no 
existing circumstances warrant. Nevertheless, we are happy to find that a better 
knowledge of the subject is prevailing ; and that an advance is in progress, though 
slowly, towards a more philosophical and desirable state of things. 
Unhappily, there is a tendency, in the majority of cultivators, to be over- 
careful of every rare plant, and to give it more heat than will be of service to 
it. This is also the case with regard to whole tribes, as well as individual species. 
A large proportion of the Orchidacese are proofs of that proposition. Until very 
lately, and even now among a considerable mass of those who delight in flowers, 
this lovely tribe was deemed unattainable by any, save those who have the means 
of heating highly an appropriate stove ; whereas it is a fact, with which not a few 
are practically familiar, that a quantity of the loveliest of them succeed in a green- 
