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JOURNAL OF RURAL ART AND RURAL TASTE. 



Vol. I. 



AUGUST, 1846. 



No. 2. 



The New Vinery at Blithewood, erected 

 about eighteen months ago, we have had 

 engraved as the frontispiece embellishment 

 of the present number. 



The glass structures in general use, both 

 in this country and England, it must be can- 

 didly confessed, are rather ugly and un- 

 sightly objects. They have frequently 

 either the common-place glazed-shed ap- 

 pearance of a market gardener's rude 

 green-house, or the clumsy and heavy air 

 imparted to them by some architect or 

 builder, whose knowledge of the matter in 

 hand, is, at the best, crude and imperfect. 



The building of which we now present 

 our readers a view, fig. 17, strikes us as a 

 happy exception to these remarks. To 

 much simplicity of detail and excellent ar- 

 rangement for its purpose, it adds a chaste 

 and becoming architectural character, which 

 gives it an air of elegance and finish in 

 every wp- .orthy of a handsome country 

 seat. 



"With regard to the exterior, we think the 

 proportions excellent. The slope of the roof, 

 about 40°, is one of the best for this climate. 

 There is a particularly light yet firm and 

 pleasing effect in the structure of the rafters, 

 8 



and especially the upright glass in front. 

 The chaste ornaments, which terminate the 

 rafters at the eave and ridge lines, joined 

 to the very tastefully decorated gables, strike 

 us as producing a very elegan and harmo- 

 nious effect — greatly superior to any thing 

 of the kind that we have 3'et seen attempted. 



The length of this vinery is about 100 

 feet. Every one familiar with long uniform 

 ranges of glass, is aware of a stiffness and 

 monotony of effect in the exterior, which is 

 by no means agreeable. In the present 

 case, this is entirely avoided by a projecting 

 compartment in the centre of the range. 

 This central compartment is used as a green- 

 house for choice plants. In it is placed the 

 principal door, and supposing this portion 

 of the range, which is comparatively a small 

 one, filled with summer blooming plants, 

 such as the new Fuchsias, Gloxinias, Achi- 

 menes, &c., which are so gay and bright 

 from May to December, we hardly know 

 a more beautiful vestibule to a vinery range, 

 filled with luxuriant and prolific grapes.* 



We should remark here, that this range 

 of glass is intended to be used as a cold 



^Or to those who care little for a green-house, this compart- 

 ment might be used for forcing an early crop of grapes. 



