THE LADIES’ MAGAZINE OF GARDENING. 101 
neatness of the execution, and the taste and elegance shown in the 
arrangement, that the coarseness of the materials can be sufficiently 
dignified to warrant their admission into ornamental pleasure-grounds. 
Sometimes hazel and birch rods are employed to ornament the back of 
summer-houses, or arbours, as shown in fig. 37, part of which is filled in 
with moss. This seat was erected in the beautiful garden of the Misses 
Garnier, at Wickham near Fareham in Hampshire, from a design by those 
ladies. Many other similar examples of rustic work might be pointed out 
in different parts of the country ; and to the credit of my own sex, I may 
add, that the handsomest I have seen have been all designed by ladies. It 
appears, indeed, as though the elegance of female taste were peculiarly 
adapted for the designing garden-ornaments for the reception of things so 
lovely and so elegant in themselves as flowers ; and I have no doubt that 
many of my fair readers, if they were to take the trouble to sketch designs, 
might have garden ornaments formed at a small expense, far superior to 
any they could purchase. 
ON ACCELERATING THE FLOWERING OF PLANTS IN THE OPEN AIR 
DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. 
BY MR. GORRIE. 
It is a fact well known to meteorologists, that the temperature of spring 
wells of moderate depth approximates nearly to the annual mean tem¬ 
perature of the locality wherein such well is situated ; indeed so close has 
the approximation been found, that the temperature of springs has been 
supposed by some to afford data for ascertaining the latitude and elevation 
of the spot. And although generally this temperature does not vary much 
in course of the year, it so happens that the heat descending gradually 
to the bed of the spring, raises the temperature of the water highest in 
the winter months at this place, something more than 56 degrees of N. 
Lat., the mean temperature of the year is about 47 degrees Fahrenheit, 
and the water in several springs indicates the same degree of heat all the 
year. In the neighbourhood of London the temperature of air and spring 
water will be about 4 degrees higher. 
The regularity of the supply of this comparatively warm medium in 
springs in the winter months will easily account for the beautiful verdure 
observable in the near vicinity of springs in winter; and to turn this to 
account is the object of this communication. 
Having for several years preserved greenhouse plants in a zinc frame 
covered with glass, and sunk a few inches in a spring well, without any 
trouble whatever, except admitting a little air on fine days, and watering 
