AN IRON ROOFED VINERY. 



119 



together, say at 4 feet apart, (the distance 

 of the vines apart,) by drilling near the 

 lower edge, and equi-distant between each 

 rod, holes one-eighth of an inch, (marked 

 V, on Fig. 74,) to pass the wires through; 

 and when everything is ready, you get a 

 piece of iron or " stirrup," I call it, that will 

 hang between the two outside rafters, and 

 as low down as required, with a hole in 

 each end ; you run a small rod through 

 each rafter, and through the stirrup, and 

 turn down the ends of the rod — it is secure. 

 At the lower side are holes in the stirrup, 

 under each rafter, so that you fasten the 

 wire in the front of the house, and run it 

 through each stirrup to the top. The whole 

 is cheap and simple, and answers the pur- 

 pose well. My new rafters weigh 24 lbs. 

 to 14 feet in length. My old ones, in the 

 vinery, 44 lbs. to 17 feet. 



Those wishing to build a good substan- 

 tial house can do it, and make the roof of 

 iron, as cheaply as of wood; the other 

 parts costing the same. 



It is handsome in appearance, and lighter 

 for everything inside. I have used in the 

 vinery 7 by 9 double strength glass, and 

 have sent to England for the new [sheet] 

 glass, mentioned in the Gardeners' Chroni- 

 cle, for my green-house. 



You will see by the drawing that I have 

 planted my vines under arches in the front 

 wall. The opening extends two feet un- 

 der ground, and the roots are intended to 

 run in the border outside, but also extend 

 inside if inclined. 



I have, at present, a peach trellis run- 

 ning through the centre of the house, simi- 

 lar to those at Mr. Cushing's, near Boston ; 

 and vines and a few trees on the back 

 wall, in order to try how they will succeed. 

 So far, they promise very well. Vine- 



growers here, who are experienced culti- 

 vators, say they could not do better. And 

 besides my trees, I shall probably have, 

 this season, 100 bunches of grapes to be- 

 gin with. 



I forgot to mention, that in casting the 

 rafters there will be a little difference in the 

 length ; but it can be relieved at the upper 

 end, in the wood, so as to make them ex- 

 actly uniform on the top. If any gentle- 

 man wishes any additional directions, I 

 shall be happy to give them ; and if they 

 wish it, I can send a small piece of the 

 rafter, so that they can understand it bet- 

 ter than by my description. 



If a span roof is desired, a double ridge 

 pole is all that is necessary, with a space 

 wide enough for ventilation, similar to our 

 upper steamboat cabins, and I believe, also, 

 the conservatory at Kew. 



I do not know whether you or any one 

 else can understand what I have written ; 

 but it is the best I can do. 



I have in the vinery 36 vines, 2 plums, 

 4 peaches, 2 figs, 1 apricot, and 1 necta- 

 rine. 



I also enclose a sketch of green-house, — 

 showing the position it occupies near the 

 house, and opening on the verandah. Should 

 you wish the plan of its construction, I will 

 send it ; as it is different from the vinery, 

 in having sliding sashes behind, on top, 

 made of wood. I will remark, that I shall 

 heat with a "Culver's patent hot-air fur- 

 nace," arranged in the " Polmaise" man- 

 ner ; having tried one effectually last win- 

 ter. It is cheaper than water pipes, less 

 trouble to put up, takes less fuel, and in 

 damp weather you can put in as much or 

 little, with the register, as you want. Yours 

 respectfully, Wm. Resokr. 



Cincinnati, Ji.ly 12, 1S49. 



