9. Swans in Conservatory
Category – Science
The idea of growing plants in a protected environment began in ancient Rome. Emperor Tiberius insisted on eating fresh cucumbers every day of the year. To keep him happy, Roman gardeners created the greenhouse, made of mica sheets, since glass wasn’t yet invented. The first glass greenhouses were built by wealthy Europeans and Americans to indulge their appetite for exotic fruits. At Versailles Palace, an orangerie sheltered 3000 orange trees under glass to please King Louis XIV of France. The first US President, George Washington, had a greenhouse constructed at his Mount Vernon home so he could grow pineapples and share them with guests.
Question –
· How does a greenhouse work and why does it make plants grow faster?
Assignment – Find the answer by going to the eHow website –
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Question –
· Black swans are very rare. For many years, people didn’t believe they existed. In what country were these unusual birds discovered?
Assignment – Learn the answer by going to a website showing pictures of black swans –
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Insider’s scoop – This illustration of Flix Ashley’s Manhattan greenhouse is a virtual reality. The artist created a digital painting of a well-known Conservatory of Flowers, then added rare black swans to the image.
Bonus Question –
· The Conservatory of Flowers houses a collection of exotic plants, including giant lily pads from the Amazon. It has a 60 foot tall central pavilion. Where is this Victorian greenhouse located?
Assignment – Find the answer and tour the exhibits at their website –
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