The Youth's Companion/July 19, 1860/A Russian Hot-House
A Russian Hot-House.
The long winters and short summers of Russia, do not permit the cultivation of tender flowers or fruits in the open air, but the Emperor has a series of magnificent hot-houses, which remind one of a tropical climate. Bayard Taylor describes them:
“The Botanical Garden in which I spent an afternoon, contains one of the finest collections of tropical plants in Europe. Here, in latitude of 60 degrees, you may walk through an avenue of palm trees, sixty feet high, under trees, ferns and bananas, by pounds of lotus Indian lily, and banks of splendid orchards, breathing an air heavy with the richest and warmest odors. The extent of these giant hot-houses cannot be less than a mile and a half. The short summer and the long dark winter of the north, requires a peculiar course of treatment for these children of the sun. During the three warm months they are forced as much as possible, so that the growth of six months is obtained in that time, and the productive qualities of the plant are kept up to their normal standard. After this result is obtained, it thrives as steadily as in a more favorable climate. The palms in particular, are noble specimens. One of them (a phœnix, I believe,) is now in blossom, which is an unheard of event in such a latitude.”