32 
PLANTS LOR EXHIBITION. 
merits against the qualifications of those he is likely to meet, 
even though it be not in competition, and then determine in his 
own mind what position he would choose to occupy. 
As a rough mode of arriving at the number of plants a house 
will contain, it may be assumed that every moderate sized speci¬ 
men will occupy two square feet; many of them rather more, 
and but very few less ; nor should even the smaller ones be 
placed much nearer together, for though there may be accomoda¬ 
tion in the form of stages and shelves for a great number, there 
can be no more of atmospheric aliment; and if, as is well known, 
each plant appropriates a portion to itself, it follows that beyond 
a certain number the demand must be greater than the capacity 
of the erection will supply, and hence the frequency of weak 
growths, mildew, &c. It becomes then a matter of some conse¬ 
quence to know the minimum stock necessary to be grown to 
ensure a reasonable propect of producing the given number at 
the required time. Much must depend on the selection, but 
with a well assorted collection, we should say, to be enabled to 
show six, twelve should be grown; to show twelve, twenty are 
necessary; and to produce the latter number, perhaps three 
dozen will be required. This is with the assumption that all the 
plants are selected so as to bloom together ; but if it be desired 
to have a collection fit for exhibiting twice or thrice in the sea¬ 
son, the quantity must be increased in like proportion. Some 
greenhouse plants may be preserved in perfection for five or six 
weeks, or even longer, a matter of some consequence on all occa¬ 
sions, but more so where the convenience, and consequently the 
collection, is limited. The stove species are generally more fugi¬ 
tive, and therefore not to be depended upon. To assist the 
beginner we append a list of each, suited to the three first months 
of the summer. May, June, and July, with their respective 
colours, time of blooming, and probable duration of the flowers. 
One other hint respecting the management of such plants we 
think it necessary to mention, which is, that as the general out¬ 
line of each individual is always a point for consideration, finely- 
formed specimens are indispensable; and as the presence of 
sticks is offensive to good taste, let the training be done while the 
plants are young; those of hard wooded persistent characters 
will then do without any when grown to a proper size, and even 
the soft wooded portions will not require near so many. 
