THE GREENHOUSE. 
161 
and all other appliances, because their power may be controlled, 
though their absence cannot be supplied. But we make the re¬ 
mark that those who are really anxious to enjoy the pleasures of 
a greenhouse may not be deterred for such reasons, and shall 
always be happy to advise under any circumstances, believing it 
quite practicable to grow an interesting and beautiful assemblage 
of plants, even where the sun is never seen. Supposing, how¬ 
ever, that all affecting circumstances combine to admit a per¬ 
fectly unbiassed choice, we should greatly prefer for either a 
mixed collection, or one composed of New Holland or Cape 
plants, a situation which will allow the house to stand east and 
west, a span-roofed erection, standing with its gables or ends 
facing to the north and south, being, in our opinion, decidedly 
preferable, above all other forms, for the culture of the majority 
of greenhouse plants. The more elevated and dry the spot, the 
greater will be the chances in favour of the cultivator; and un¬ 
less this is naturally secured, it should always he regarded as 
the primary step to thoroughly drain it and the surrounding 
space. An almost universal custom prevails of attaching an 
erection of this kind to the windows of the drawing-room, and 
nothing that we are acquainted with appears to lend such an ex¬ 
quisite air of refined elegance, as is imparted by the presence of 
even a few well-grown plants in bloom. We have elsewhere ex¬ 
pressed our favorable opinion of the practice, and of the pleasur¬ 
able impression it creates; and now proceed to notice this parti¬ 
cular structure, before entering upon the general subject of the 
paper. 
The intention of an addition of the kind is evidently to increase 
the embellishments of the dwelling-house, both externally and in¬ 
ternally. For the former purpose it is essential, for obvious 
reasons, that it partake, in general outline at least, of the pro¬ 
portions, appearance, or style of the dwelling, and, to possess a 
pleasing aspect in the interior, should be formed with every regard 
to lightness that is consistent with the requisite strength. The 
accompanying sketch will convey some idea of an erection suitable 
for the garden front of a modern villa. The size of it is fourteen 
feet long, seven feet wide, and of sufficient height to reach above 
the windows, eight feet; the sashes of the roof, as may be the 
case in all structures of the kind, are fixed, which allows of their 
14 
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