72 MANAGEMENT OF THE FORCING-HOUSE, 
SURFACE. UNDER-SURFACE, 
Center bed 4ox8 ft. @ $12 Center bed 4ox8 ft. @ $25 
per Mrs, splat ae cae $3 84 Det (Mics, cae eee $8 00 
2 Side benches 50x4 ft. @ 2 Side benches 50xq4 ft. @ 
Sia per Mis) hie. ieee 480 ~$25 pero soa ee Io 00 
182 ft. Sideboards @ $20. . 3 64 182 ft. Sideboards @ $20. . 3 64 
150 ft. Quarter round @trct. 1 50 
320 ft. Tile @ $18 per M. ._ 5, 76 
White lead, ..-42- 2000-5 eee I 10 
otal a eike cc estes $12 28, Total ico. eee $30 00 
‘““The difference between the first cost of the beds 
in the two houses is, therefore, $17.72. Dividing this 
amount by two, since the beds will certainly last two 
years, we have $8.86 as the actual yearly expense of the 
one house over the other. The fact of this small expendi- 
ture in comparison with the great advantages derived 
from it, establishes its economic importance and thorough 
practicability. 
‘‘Lead or iron pipe may be used in place of the tiles, 
but are not as practicable when a quantity is to be used. 
They are more expensive, and better adapted to smaller 
areas. Lead pipe costs 6 cents per pound, the number of 
pounds to the foot varying according to the quality. It 
gives very satisfactory results, and can be used indefi- 
nitely. The cost of iron pipe varies according to the 
size. Although it is less expensive than the lead, it rusts 
easily, and can not be relied upon after one or two sea- 
sons’ use. That used the past season, after having been 
cleaned, is in fair condition for use this year.” 
Experiments with lettuce and other plants. — After 
various preliminary tests at the Ohio Station, “‘three 
houses, each 20x 100 ft., have been devoted almost wholly 
to lettuce, nearly all of which has been sub-irrigated. A 
middle section in each house has been reserved for sur- 
face watering, and the end benches are divided, half 
being watered by one method and half by the other. 
Incidentally, this arrangement may be referred to as af- 
fording an opportunity to note the behavior of plants in 
