16 



crop, etc. Gable ends should bj secauely b:'aced in this form of construction. 

 The' lack of these braces has been the cause of much damage in several large 

 houses. During severe windstorms the end would give and the force of the wind 

 would tend to wreck the whole house. Horizontal bars in the end should be used 

 and these again supported from the lines oi' purlin supports. One and one-half 

 inch and two inch pipe are usually used for supporting members and one inch and 

 one and one-quarter as purlins depending on size and shape of houses. 



MODIFICATION'S. 



Instead of using the pipe purlins some growers have used angle irons. These 

 are bored to fit screws which are attached to each sash bar. This method is used by 

 some men and they claim to have a stronger house than with the pipe, claiming 

 there is some danger of weakness at the coupling. The rigidity of the angle iron 

 is said to overcome this. The difi'erence in cost is very little, the angle iron cost- 

 ing a trifle more than the pipe. This modification is bsin:^- used and is giving 

 satisfaction in several large ranges but is not common.. 



OBJECTIONS. 



The objection to houses of this form of construction is that a house of any 

 size there are so many supporting members that the ground in the house cannot be 

 cultivated with horses as easily as with other forms of construction.. This appears 

 to be true in large houses. Horses cannot be used with the same freedom^ as in 

 houses requiring fewer supporting members. Some claim the columns being so 

 close help to give more shade. Others claim there is very little difTerence. 



Pipe frame houses have more material in them which must be kept up thus 

 increasing running expenses. The same degree of solidity can not be found as in 

 houses of^the iron frame construction and there seems to be more danger of glass 

 breakage in these houses than in the iron frame houses. 



MERITS. 



A very economical house for the man requiring only a small house to be used 

 with raised benches. Cost of a small house is considerably less tlian if the con- 

 struction were of iron frame. 



ALL WOOD CONSTRUCTION. 



This form of construction is practically out of date at the present time. It 

 cannot be used economically because of the limited age of wooden parts. Wooden 

 posts, usually cedar, are set four feet apart to form the side walls and the houses 

 made very narrow requiring but few supports for the ridge. These have been 

 found to be small trees cut required lengths, split cedar posts or two by four inch 

 scantling. 



Hot bed sash usually form the glass covering and these houses are sometimes 

 called sash houses. This form of house is not to be recommended as a greenhouse. 

 As a house used as a substitute for hot beds or cold frames it may be of some use 

 in the early part of the season when it can bs heated with a coal or wood stove. 

 Many gardeners have used these houses in previous years and know their limitations 

 and no gardener is advised to build one. 



