182 



STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



the two houses being placed side by side, with a wall iu common between 

 them, or as it is usually expressed, in the ridge and furrow style. They 

 extended north and south, with a building at the north end, 20 x 25 feet, to 

 be used for potting and similar work, and in the basementjof which the 

 heaters are situated. 



- — 50-ft.- 



H 





y///^///////////////y///////(^:7^^ 



GROUND PLAN 



(Fig. 2.— Ground Plan.) 



:., „,.'J 



Our primary object was to construct houses adapted to our wants, but 

 we also endeavored to so arrange them that, with slight modifications, they 

 could be used as a model by anyone who proposed to put up a commercial 

 greenhouse. 



In constructing a forcing house it should be adapted to its intended use 

 in length, width, and height, and we should then endeavor to secure econ- 

 omy in space, economy in heating, and economy in cost of construction. 



We should seek to obtain all of the light possible, and if to be used for 

 growing small plants, the glass should be near them. 



The greatest defects in the ordinary forcing house, are that there is gen- 

 erally too much wood in the roof in shape of rafters and sash-bars, and that 

 sufficient care is not taken to so erect them that they will not rot down, or 

 the walls, if of brick or of masonry, be broken apart and thrown down by 

 frost. 



Experiments have shown that a properly built wooden wall is warmer 

 and more lasting than one of stone, or brick, or cement, as ordinarily built. 



A wooden wall, however, is more or less subject to rot, and any portion 

 below ground will need repairing in from five to ten years. 



In planning the new forcing house it was determined to have the side 

 and end walls of cement below ground, where it would not be injured by 

 frost, and of wood above the surface. This arrangement should give a 

 warm and lasting wall. 



The location selected was level, and an excavation 50x40 feet by one 

 foot in depth was made for the house. (See ground plan, Fig. 2.) 



