EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 205 



experience iu house heating, and is a recognized authority, his statement 

 shonld be received with due weight, especially as the facts bear out his 

 assertion. 



SUMMARY. 



In the construction of forcing houses for commercial purposes, we 

 believe that the best results will be secured if the walls are built of grout 

 (cement, sand, and cobble-stones) below the surface of the outside soil, 

 with the portion above the grading of wood, with from two to four thick- 

 nesses of boards, two of building paper and an air space. If properly built, 

 however, a wall entirely of grout will prove almost indestructible. 



We should build the roof of permanent sash-bars, and use glass at least 

 twelve inches wide. The butting of the glass has given us entire satisfac- 

 tion. The new method of glazing as shown in Fig. 7, and the use of 

 Gasser's glazing strip will make a tight roof. 



Also, the tests thus far made indicate that hot-water heating is both 

 more economical and more satisfactory than steam heating for small 

 greenhouses, and we should certainly use that system. We are well pleased 

 with the Furman heaters, but there are others that seem equally reliable. 

 The use of small wrought-iron pipes from 1^ to 2 inches in diameter, 

 according to the size of the house ( a smaller size even might be preferable 

 for the returns in a small house), will be found desirable for the reasons 

 given. For most purposes the combined overhead and under-bench s}' stem 

 seems better suited, than to have the pipes either all overhead or under the 

 benches. We have not made a test of overhead piping, but for houses for 

 forcing cucumbers, etc., this system has given general satisfaction. 



As the houses were built for experimental purposes, we shall be glad to 

 utilize them in testing any new methods of glazing, or glazing materials. 

 They also afford an opportunity of testing ventilating and other green- 

 house machinery, heaters, methods of piping, etc. 



L. E. TAFT. 



VEGETABLES.— COMPAEATIVE TESTS.— METHODS OF 



CULTURE. 



Balletin No. 57. 



1. Potatoes. 4. Cabbages. 7. Lettuce. 



2. Tomatoes. o. Cauliflower. 8. Peas. 



3. Beets. 6. Corn. 9. Radishes. 



The experiment work outlined for this department may be classed as 

 follows : 



1. Tests of the new and of the standard varieties of vegetables and fruits. 



2. Experiments with fertilizers, to learn the effect of different mixtures 

 on the health, yield, and quality of our garden crops. 



f 



