New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-25
THE MODERN CONSERThT TORY.
ARTISTIC ONES IN NEW YORK.

The conservatory IN a city house is an attempt
to render a decorative effect. 1t belongs TO the
ensemble and is ordered with reference TO Inc
rooms with which it is in relation The most arts
tic purpose of the conservatory is the elimination
and perfection OF vista. The chief effort OF every
architect who has to do with the narrow confines
OF a city lot is to simulate and counterfeit space
For this end nothing compares with the conserva-
tory. The eye seducveiy led into masses OF foliage
may imagine any depth of greenery beyond
This indicates how entirely the scope and pur-
pose OF the conservatory is changed. 1t is not in
tended for the cultivation Of plants and MOWERS
1t is prompted neither by love OF flowers nor know
edge of plants There is not enough in town
for the cultivation Of flowers The most that can
be hoped for is place to display them. tropical
foliage is preferred. only because 1t Is deco
rative. but because 1t from the shadowy
sitting jungles. and can be appropriately housed IN
the steam heated. shaded city house
For conservatories such as these there are no
gardeners They are stocked and tended by some
city florist. When a rich man wants conserva-
tory he goes TO his florist, and tells him the sort
OF effect he wants 10 produce. The TWO tax IL
over. and the florist agrees 10 stock ana take
charge Of it for so much a month He owns the
plants; the client does not even know their names
SO often a week the florist has his men water.
wash and look after the health OF the plants.
The only thing the client is responsible for is
frost. lie has the heating of the conservatory. II
he allows the plants to be killed by cold ne mas
pay them for their rent is paid in the gross
sum paid monthly to the florist. These plants are
mainly palms and ferns. OF which there are end
less varieties These not transplanted. but
stand In tubs and pots that may be hldden III as
costly jars the rich can afford. In their
plants in bloom furnished, and these are
removed and replaced circumstances warrant.
There fashions in plants In bloom one sea-
son 1t was orange trees in bloom Another season
II was rhododendrons. The panta genista with Its
yellow bloom has had its lay. the Japanese ounce
has enjoyed favor Last season II was the dwarf
aZalea after the japanese fashion. Orchids nave
a permanent place. Nothing is more curious than
bit of wood hanging by a thread and alive with
strange shapes and colors. They are difficult to
start and require the closest This Is done
In the country forcing houses. But when once they
are started they require more care than do the
foliage plants
one OF the graceful uses Of the orchid vas
in Mrs. W. II. Nanderbts house. The conserva-
tory is Immediately back of the main gallery.
From drawing room TO conservatory is distance
OF 200 feet enriched by superb draperes columns
OF marble carvings. and works OF art The con
servatory is sem-circu,ar. The floor is mosaic. the
wells panelled In cream-enamelled tiles. There are
no shelves FOR there is no cultivation. Gigantic
palms ferns. all manner OF curious-leaved and
bizarre plants stand about In costly Jars. majolica.
Spanish lustra. Japanese bronzes. old terra Gotta
that are In themselves works Of art These are
grouped to perfect the view from the distant
drawing room. a sheet Of platcglass makes the
sliding door into the gallery. Against this
hangs an orchid like a tassel. This delicate'y
guards the unbroken sheet which gives little
evidence OF a barrier that otherwise it might be
In danger.
Next in Importance to the vista achieved in the
Vanderbilt house is that Of Nj. Henry Marquand.
This is at least 10 feet through the dining room.
japanese room the drawing room. and connecting
Tha aaGfo nCle Z %
with stained glass by Ouiino a Vatican land
scape efec, designed TO carry out the conservatory
design within There is pretty and useful detail
here copied from the Alhambra this is a gutter cut
in the marble floor. through which here and there
Jets Of water play.
Where a vista cannot be secured the conserva-
tory is attached to the dining-room- In beautiful
uptown house a succession of lovely views is led
from the Japanese dra wing-room. through Re
naissance music room. into the dinng-r room TO the
conservatory. The floor is OF marble and on the
side wall is a frieze modelled by Theodore Bauer
of birds and flowers against this behind the large
central fountain are grouped pots of broad-leaved
tropical foliage pants
Another notable conservatory used TO be on
upper Fffth-ave. This opened off Of the leather
hung dining room. and was screened of by glass
doors that might be shut If desired. These doors
gdmpss OF ea .ne gass R,;, mingled viii II vas
and flowers: these glorious IN color. and
some beautiful conservatory effects are produced
on the stage There one in Captain Swift
consisting OF series of indented arches making
small arcsdes In these were the painted and real
plants ingeniously mingled The centre arcade was
fore which burned a yelled light. The centre
left free and here were wicker tables and chairs.
In the conservatory Of Mrs. Potter Palmer the
space is large enough for winding walks and hid
den hooks, and very clever landscape effect Is
produced