456 



JOCENAL OF KOKTICULTDRE AND COTTAGE GAEDENER. [ Docember 19, 1867. 



admitted to be too thin, and 21-oz. glass is oftener called for. 

 I believe that the Crystal Palace was originally glazed with 

 10 or 18-oz. glass ; but substantial structures are often glazed 

 ■with 21-oz. glass rather than with that which is of less weight, 

 or thinner, and many who do not object to a little greater 

 first outlay find that even the 2fi-oz. glass is cheaper in the 

 end than the thinner kinds. At Linton all new structures put 

 up during the last twelve years have been glazed with glass of 

 this quality. Althougli the area of each square is seldom more 

 than Ij foot, yet when breakage is taken into consideration I 

 am o' -;~'"ion that a leas thickness is not economical, and 

 when the area of the square exceeds 3 feet, I would have the 

 glass stUl thicker. 



Glass should also possess other qualities besides mere thick- 

 noes, for such is no compensation for a wavy uneven surface, 

 or the other defects so often met with in the inferior descrip- 

 tions of sheet glass. For many years it was customary to 

 blame our Belgian neighbours for all the inferior glass, and 

 certainly I have seen some very poor samples from that 

 country, but I suspect some is also made at home ; at all 

 events those about erecting new glass structures would do well 

 to look into the matter of glass, for although their contract 

 may prevent their rejecting entirely a kind not to be recom- 

 mended, a little care may be exercised in looking over the 

 squares and selecting only such as are clear and free from 

 faults for the sunny side of the building. The defective glass 

 may be used on the north side, in the partitions, or where the 

 sun's rays do not pass through it, so as to injure the plants 

 bene " 'Belgian glass is also said to be more brittle than 

 that of home-make, breaking with a less blow, and being in 

 many other respects inferior, though I am not sure but on the 

 ■whole it is clearer ; still this, I expect, depends on the selection. 



Some years ago much was said about rough plate of a certain 

 make being well adapted for horticultural purposes, but it 

 ■was never a favourite with me. Its use, I think, is chiefly 

 confined to those -who, having had a bad sample of sheet glass, 

 were glad of any change that promised improvement. Some, 

 also, admired it for its supposed beneficial power of diffus- 

 ing the sun's rays instead of transmitting them in straiglit 

 lines, thus preventing burning or scorching ; but the benefits 

 seem to be more ideal than real, and not sufficient to com- 

 pensate for the increased cost and the inferiority of appearance. 

 When, however, the construction of the house is such as to 

 require sheets of 3 or 4 feet superficial, or more, a stout kind 

 of glass like rough plate is certainly advisable, but a thicker 

 kind of sheet glass would probably do as well ; still this is one 

 of the cases in which practical men differ very much among 

 themselves, and I by no means assert that my views are the 

 most correct, as I have had so little practical experience with 

 rough plate as not to be able to give a decided opinion. Some, 

 however, who have adopted this description of glass have 

 acknowledged themselves disappointed, and found out to their 

 cost that breakages do occur with it as well as with other 

 Idnds, and more especially when the squares are large. 



Coupled with the description of glass might be mentioned 

 the most suitable size ot square for glazing with ; and here I 

 will add, that although I am an advocate for thick glass, I do 

 not recommend large squares, especially for moveable lights, 

 as the breakage is so great, and the advantages of large squares 

 seem not sufficient to counterbalance this evil. I am like- 

 ■wise not an advocate for what is called a very cheap house, 

 as the term becomes a very questionable one by the time the 

 house is a dozen years old. As an example, I will mention a 

 case which came under my notice a short time ago. A range 

 of vineries and other forcing-houses was put up by an eminent 

 London firm eighteen or twenty years ago. The rafters were 

 of timber, while the frame and glazing-bars were of zinc plate, 

 doubled into the requisite shape to form the proper glazing- 

 . rebate. The sides were of hollow zinc as well as the top ends 

 ■where the glazing-bars were soldered to. The ■n-hole being 

 very light and glazed with squares of, I think, upwards of 

 2 superficial feet, looked very well. Of the cost I am not 

 ■certain, but I believe the adoption of the plan was not in- 

 fluenced by motives of economy. After some time it was found 

 that the cords attached to the top sliding-lights occaaionally 

 pulled the top off entirely, the soldering giving way, and repairs 

 almost equivalent to the making of a fresh top were the con- 

 sequence. Added to this, the breakage of glass was very great 

 from the many other causes which every one who has glass 

 bouses knows will be the case more or less ; but, of course, 

 every one except, perhaps, the glazier likes it to be as little as 

 possible. The houses referred to were not those in which 



the least possible amount of everything excepting glass is used 

 in the construction, but the workmanship and fittings were in 

 every respect good, only the result proved that ■n'hatever ad- 

 vantages zinc might have in the fixed roof, it was not adapted 

 forthe moveable portions. I have seen some other modifi- 

 cation of this plan, but excepting in the cases of curved roofs 

 their utility seemed questionable. The same may be said of 

 iron generally, although in very large structures it is almost 

 impossible to dispense with it, yet when the glazing can be 

 done in timber it is much better. Let iron columns, girders, 

 braces, &c., do their part as well ; good deal sashes will be none 

 the worse of their help. 



In speaking of and calling attention to glass adapted to hor- 

 ticultural purposes, it was not my intention to introduce the 

 building of glass structures further than to give examples of 

 the utility of each kind of glass ; nevertheless, I would advise 

 those intending building not to be too confident that a 

 house costing little at first is a cheap one. Time alone will 

 prove whether it is so or not, and many who thought at first 

 that they had made a good bargain, discover at the end of two 

 years or less that a great outlay is required for fresh glass and 

 painting, and these items are often repeated before a dozen 

 years have elapsed, and then it is found the house is hardly a 

 house at all. Extravagance is, of course, quite as bad the 

 other way. Perhaps the best way to judge for oneself in the 

 choice of a glass house is to inquire for and examine one of 

 those cheap structures that have stood a dozen years or more, 

 and to be guided accordingly. Let it be fully understood, that 

 in recommending a more substantial building to the amateur 

 who only, perhaps, wants one or two glass houses altogether, I 

 do not doubt but a cheap, slightly put-up house may be more 

 prudent for those who require a score of such. In the latter case 

 there is usually sufficient employment for a painter and jzlazier 

 being kept at all times ready to repair at once any damage ; 

 but this is not the case with the owner of a small extent of 

 glass. 



In conclusion, I should like the opinions of those having 

 experience in the various kinds of glass used for horticultural 

 purposes, and also whether any new modes of glazing are likely 

 to supersede that generally adopted. Several plans have been 

 tried, but hitherto without affecting the consumption of plain 

 putty. Whether putty is destined to continue at the head of 

 adhesive materials or not is more than I can venture to pre- 

 dict ; but hitherto it has withstood all attempts to supersede it. 

 If a substitute possessing all its advantages without its defects 

 could be found, it would be a great boon to the horticultural 

 builder. Paint I must leave to those better acquainted with it, 

 and who are, perhaps, greater admirers of its effects than I am. 

 — J. EOBSON. 



CULTURE OF MIGNONETTE IN POTS AND 

 AS TREES. 



I SHALL confine my remarks to the culture of Mignonette in 

 pots to bloom througii the winter and spring. 



For this purpose a, .mowing should be made during the first 

 ■week in August to blc-om in November and December, another 

 in September to bloom in January and February, and another 

 a mouth later to bloom early in spring. The pots of most con- 

 venient size are those 5 inches in diameter, called by some 48's. 

 Drain them well, and place a thin layer of rough turf, with tho 

 soil beaten out of it, over the drainage. I have found this 

 more effectual than moss for keeping the drainage open, as 

 it lasts longer, which is very important in the culture of 

 Mignonette. 



The soil I use consists of three parts good turfy loam, well 

 seasoned and not too light, and one part good leaf mould and 

 well-rotted dung, with a liberal addition of silver or river sand, 

 charcoal, and lime rubbish. Thoroughly mix them with the 

 hand, and fill the pots to within half an inch of tho rim. 



Sow the seed tbmly and evenly over the surface, cover with 

 a quarter of an inch of soil, and place the pots in a cold frame 

 upon coal ashes, and within G inches of the glass. If the soil 

 is moist do not water for the first few days ; after that a good 

 watering must be given, and no more until the seedlings are 

 up. Give little air during that time, and shade from the bright 

 sun at first. 



After the seedlings are up air may be given more freely, and 

 the pots plunged in the coal ashes with some rough material 

 underneath, to take the water away from the pots freely. 

 When the plants become stronger the lights may be taken off 

 every fine morning. Stop the plants when about 3 inches high 



