The Garden Under Glass

A MODEST CONSERVATORY 21 erected a table could be set in front of the window and the plants be artistically arranged thereon. The amateur with but one greenhouse has then his opportunity. He may show his friends the best of his plants in a place where they cannot fail to attract attention and where their beauty is not toned down by the presence of stern utility, as would be the case in the greenhouse. The Small Conservatory Too often this structure suffers in point of aspect and size. It is often added to the dwelling by way of an afterthought, and has, of course, to be fitted into the archi-tectural scheme without much thought of aspect. I have seen conservatories on this account built on the east side of a house when we know that a south aspect is superior. It is an advantage to have it attached to the dwelling because there is then no excuse for crowding the rooms with plants ; for however beautiful the presence in a room of growing plants, it does not improve their health. If not attached to the house the conservatory should be in a part of the garden where it will not be too conspicuous yet not entirely hidden nor difficrilt to get at. The conservatory, I have said, often suffers in size, for it is often too large for the amount of glass (greenhouse and frames) which have to supply it with plants. The result is that there never can be a really tasteful display because the plants have to be set so widely apart, or they have been crowded in their growing career in the other house, or again because in the endeavour to make the plants look well for as long a time as possible they are picked over daily until scarcely a bioom is left upon them. The size of the conservatory must accord with the means of