68 THE FLORIST AND 
wide field of tiglily cultivated garden ground, a collection of plants, ranging 
among the choicest and most complete : from the proud and princely family 
of Palm trees, the rare Tree-ferns, and the interesting Orchids, downwards 
through the innumerable host of plants which we at present employ for 
ornamenting our gardens, parks and conservatories. We find here, all kinds 
of plants richly represented ; the highly esteemed florist flowers in extensive 
and choice collections ; all the lately introduced novelties, as soon as they 
are to be had ; the rarest and finest genera, particula,rly, in considerable 
propagation to meet the numerous orders, which, mostly, comprise the new 
and rarer plants. We meet many directly introduced novelties, the value 
of which is here to be tried, before they are sent out ; others, which have 
already passed their trial, and which now, aft^r having been scientifically 
described and figured, are speedily propagated, and soon dispersed over the 
whole gardening world. Many beautiful cross-breeds, obtained through the 
intelligent exertions of the head gardener of the establishment, augment 
the number of new plants, which are annually originated in this garden. 
Plants of all climes, from all countries, wherever the foot of the undaunted 
naturalist could find access, are here crowded together, but all enjoy a 
careful treatment, according to the natural wants of each individual, as far 
,as jsossible, and all thrive exceedingly well. This results from the strict 
-observation of the rule, to class the plants kind to kind, and genus to^ genus, 
and to bring only such plants together, under one roof, which have a com- 
mon country, or which, at least, claim the same amount of heat and a similar 
treatment- 
Besides this, the healthy state of the plants may be traced to the con- 
venient construction of the houses, all of Avhich are span-roofed, well lighted, 
thoroughly ventilated, and heated by the most approved methods of hot- 
water heating. The excellently arranged heating is subjected to a strict 
control, and the temperature of each house, determined by the nature of 
plants it contains, is rigorously maintained, and always some degrees less 
during the night than in the day time. 
Let us now enter the glass-houses and cast a glance on the plants, to 
obtain a superficial knowledge of them, for it would carry us too far if we 
should enter into detail. For the first house, we enter, we meet the cele- 
brated collection of Ehododendrons, from the Sikkim, Assam and Bootan 
mountains, in numerous and vigorous specimens. These new species, with 
the great number of fine garden varieties, which we already posess, form, 
together, a splendid collection of plants, all of which are remarkable for the 
large size and the gorgeous beauty of their flower trusses. If we pass 
