40 
A CONSIDERATION OF PLANTS GROWN IN POTS, 
warrant the universal adoption of a system that indicates an approach towards what 
eventually leads to perfection. In the first place, so great a number of plants are 
not necessary to maintain an effectual display of flowers. And in respect to variety, 
in comparatively small collections, the advantage is on the side of the " few plants," 
as, under any circumstances, a very few decided colours is productive of at least the 
necessary contrast, and their quantity and quality will be in no way deficient, but 
the reverse. 
Where gardening on a small scale only is practicable, the argument in favour of 
an endeavour to manage that little well, applies in an especial manner. It may be 
advanced that, in many cases, in small establishments, and those of amateurs, 
no space can be afforded to cultivate plants in the manner under consideration ; 
that all available space is required to enable the necessary number of plants to be 
preserved in the winter, for the flower garden. We admit this is, in some degree, 
correct, but maintain that it is better to grow only such a number of plants as that 
space can permit to be grown well, however few, than make the least advance 
towards the other extreme. Although plants propagated, and kept merely to plant 
in the open air, do not come exactly within the province of our subject, the principle 
we advocate, in its application to them, is productive of equally beneficial results. 
And we may observe, in reference to these last, that so much is not done towards 
freeing the better descriptions of plant-erections of them, as is usually capable of 
being effected by judiciously arranging them, when no alternative but to admit them 
can be resorted to, and placing them in other structures, where they can, under 
proper tendance, be much more suitably preserved. However, now that glass is 
become so reasonably attainable, no inconvenience from these sources can be conceived 
to arise. 
There cannot be the least possible doubt but that, the nearer approach is made 
to a uniformly gratifying state of things, as regards horticultural pursuits, so much 
the nearer do we arrive at the period when the best interests of the profession will 
be properly served. As soon as the results of successful cultivation and a proper 
application of scientific principles is as universal as it is in some instances now 
evident, its effects will be such as cannot fail to arrest and force themselves upon the 
attention of every one. Then we may be permitted to view, with a feeling of satis- 
faction, what now is a source of regret, only because it is not as universal as it is 
meritorious. 
A natural consequence of a collection of plants, whether large or small, being 
limited to a particular number, as, if they are cultivated according to the principles 
we have been endeavouring to show the utility of being acted upon, they will neces- 
sarily be, the selection of suitable species will be a point requiring more discretion 
than is necessary in choosing them to be grown under other circumstances. This 
particular may, however, be safely left to the exercise of the taste of whoever selects 
them. Notwithstanding, it may be well to remark that those of a decidedly orna- 
mental character will be productive of the greatest amount of satisfaction. 
