58 
THE CONSERVATORY. 
The plants which are adapted to genuine conservatories are such as ought never 
to require a higher artificial temperature than 50° or 55°; for as the most beautiful 
and graceful tribes of exotics are natives of temperate climates, many of which are 
at least half-hardy, it would be altogether out of keeping, as trenching upon the plant- 
house and stove, to excite any degrees of heat beyond those stated above ; but not 
as yet to dwell on the subject of heat, it will be more appropriate to notice the 
preparation of the beds and borders ; and herein we derive considerable assistance 
from an article written some years since by a Mr. Peter M'Arthur, which describes 
the conservatory erected at the Grange — a famous seat of the Lord Chancellor 
Hyde — esteemed one of the finest works of Inigo Jones, and now, we believe, the 
property of Lord Ashburton. The whole inner expanse of the erection was great, 
being divided into two equal beds, each 15 feet 6 inches wide, under a double-span 
glazed roof, one to each bed, and of proportionate height and length. It is seldom 
one can meet with a conservatory of such capabilities ; and therefore, if it can be 
shown that by scientific and adroit arrangement a very large erection can be made 
perfectly available to the object contemplated, it will prove encouraging to those 
who, in these cheap times, with a vast increase of scientific knowledge, attempt to 
erect with far more limited means. 
It is astonishing how much money has been expended upon structures which 
are proved to be either worthless or utterly incapable to effect the purposes for 
which they were built. There are three we know of, and not remote from each other, 
and totally dissimilar in form and capabilities ; one — nearly thirty feet high at the back 
wall, with sashes of a very steep angle sloping to the front — lies between two brick 
erections, and jammed, as it were, into the recess so formed as with an express 
object to render the conservatory, and the plants it contains, dark as twilight; 
another has the form of a heavy, large greenhouse : both were built at a large 
expense. A third is circular, lighted by sliding upright window-sashes, like those 
of a dwelling, and by a noble glazed dome at top ; it has also two square lobbies of 
approach, the whole paved with Portland stone. Heated by an immense brick oven, 
the heat from which warms the air that passes through brass gratings in the floor of 
the circle and its two wings, the quantity of fuel employed is enormous, and yet very 
inadequate as to its radiating power. This erection cost, in the first instance, about 
3000?. ; yet, though handsome and beautifully situated on a noble lawn, surrounded 
by a light and elegant shrubbery, it is equally unsatisfactory in its appearance and 
operation. A fourth might be named a very beautiful little thing, so attached to a 
wing of the mansion of a nobleman as to become a very interesting appendage to the 
library. It is heated from underneath, the warm air rising also through brass 
gratings. The place is not properly a conservatory, inasmuch as most of the plants 
stand on the paving in appropriate pots or vases ; there is, however, one peculiarity 
which gives it character. A border was prepared during the course of erection 
round every part of the walls, excepting at the places where the two glazed doors 
open, the one from the garden, the other to the library. This border was made 
