160 THE FORCING GARDEN, 
to see too, that it is a speculation quite worth the 
while for any man to go into with spirit, and one which 
will enable our home gardeners to compete successfully 
with the foreigner, and to keep the trade at home. 
A fortnight previous to taking the Potatoes up, 
keep them as dry as it is possible to do. This will give 
them a nice flavour. 
The cost of the construction of such a glass house 
is not half so much as what some may suppose. I find, 
by a fair calculation, that this wall structure will cost 
about 1071. 8s. But if you go to the profession to 
get it done, they will charge not less than 197/., and 
from that to 210l., for the same class of glass and of 
the same dimensions. Here, then, is a saving of 
nearly 50 per cent. at the least, and the cost of the 
house is more than covered by the produce the first 
season—at least I calculate so—by means of the Po- 
tatoes and Cucumbers. Nor do I think anyone will 
be disappointed, if the thing is well done. 
The above estimate includes four hundred feet of 
three-inch hot-water pipe; one flow and one return 
pipe, close to the front; and a good boiler, with the 
fixing; two thousand four hundred feet of twenty-one- 
ounce glass; carriage two hundred miles, and glazing 
with clips; one hundred and fifty-five rafters, three 
inches by two, twelve feet long; two hundred feet eaves 
plate ; two hundred feet wall plate, four and a half inches 
by one and a half; two hundred feet run of nine-inch 
board for top ventilator; hinges and gearing; two 
hundred feet super of one-inch boarding for front ; 
‘orty posts, three inches by four and a half, two feet six 
inches long ; two close-boarded ends ; two doors, hinges, 
&c.; and fixing and painting three coats. 
