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150 
VISITS TO REMARKABLE GARDENS. 
Convallaria raultiflora, Clerodendron fragrans, Canna indica, Strelitzia Reginse, Begonias, and hosts of 
other plants, have flowered with me in closed cases for many successive years ! and many fruits, par- 
ticularly those of tropical regions, ripen well. The fact is, that in these cases we are enabled to 
include all the agents which can contribute to the well-being of the plants, and exclude those which 
produce deleterious effects. 
" I cannot conclude without suggesting the adoption of this plan in the general cultivation of 
plants. Where a large number of species is required to be grown, a series of houses might contain 
representations of various regions of the earth, fitted up to meet the wants of the characteristic flora 
of each region, and forming most beautiful tableaux vivants of the aspects of the vegetable kingdom. 
Thus, from our miniature tropical forest we might pass to the sandy flats of the Cape of Good Hope, 
with its bulbs, Mesembryanthemums and Heaths ; and thence to New Holland, with its Epacrids and 
beautiful Legumiuoste, &c. ; and, if sufficient elevation could be obtained, Teneriffe might have a place 
in this grand exhibition, displaying its Dragon Trees, Laurel forests, columnar Euphorbiaceoe, Cacti, 
&c. &c. Each particular country might thus be represented. The Crystal Palace might well be appro- 
priated to such a design, which would, I think, be quite as interesting as the purpose for which 
it was erected." 
We have not space here to enter into the general question of ventilating plant-houses ; but no one 
can fail to remark, that the example which we here produce militates strongly against the now general 
persuasion, that what we may call " free ventilation" is essentially necessary to the well-being of 
plants grown in glass-houses. Some few years since we urged the same views which Mr. Ward's 
experience now confirms ; and though the outcry for fresh air has since that time been louder than 
before, it still appears to us that the admission of the external atmosphere is of more importance as a 
regulator of temperature than as a purifier of the confined atmosphere of the interior. Ventilation or 
aeration also seems of more importance by night than by day. (See Joum. Hort. Soc, i. 110; ii. 28.) 
Abundant ventilation, it is urged, is necessary to secure the sturdy health of plants, to give bril- 
liancy to vegetable colours, and to impart high flavour to fruits. Well, it appears that all these 
objects may be perfectly secured without ventilation at all, in the sense intended. As to healthy 
vegetation and brilliant colours we can ourselves speak positively, from repeated observations in the 
structure represented in our wood-engraving, where no ventilation in the ordinary sense is attempted ; 
and we have Mr. Ward's authority to state that a correspondent of his has succeeded perfectly with a 
crop of grapes on the. same close system. These facts we leave for the cogitation of our abundant- 
ventilating Mends. 
Our engraving, however, points specially to one other feature in gardening matters. It suggests 
practically the picturesque arrangement, of plants grown for ornament. This mode of arrangement 
offers so many advantages over the more ordinary and formal mode, that it is matter of surprise it is 
not more commonly adopted. Not only is an infinitely more pleasing effect produced, but a much 
greater variety can be accommodated within a given space, with a much less demand of cultural 
attendance. For those amateur's who manage their own gardens, such an arrangement is highly to 
be recommended. Once planted, in which operation judicious aid may if necessary be employed, the 
plants might be left, if need be, for a week or fortnight in summer absolutely without attendance, 
except, that of shading, which any domestic could be made to understand ; and not only would no 
damage ensue, but the plants would all the time be progressing just as surely as though their 
progress had been daily watched. In winter, the supply of artificial heat would have to be attended 
to ; but even this, with the aid of a simple hot- water apparatus, would be by no means beyond a 
domestic servant's comprehension, in the temporary absence of the proprietor. 
We have left ourselves but little space to notice the many interesting plants crowded into Mr. 
Ward's small house. Passion-flowers, Manettias, Aristolochias, and such like, cover the pillars and 
festoon the roof, from which also Orchids are suspended. The raised rocky mounds on either side 
give pasturage to various small Palms, Ferns, Bamboos, Musas, Cannas, Colocasias, Clerodendrons, 
Achimenes, and hosts of smaller plants. The Cuphea ignea here grew, and flowered from year's 
end to year's end, until it became too large for the space. Fuchsias, too, which grew luxuriantly and 
flowered profusely, became too large, and had to be rooted out. A tank at the end affords accom- 
modation for gold fish, and some of the smaller aquatic plants. The whole forms a beautiful miniature 
tropical forest scene. — M. 
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