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ANNUAL REPORT 



in the belief that for small greenhouses, a hot water heating plant 

 is more economical than a steam plant. 



However, this experiment does not prove that hot water is as 

 good as steam for large establishments. I have no carefully con- 

 ducted experiment to refer to, because none have been tried to test 

 the relative merits of these two systems on a large scale; but I am 

 of the opinion, from what I have seen, that the best system of heat- 

 ing for a large place, is one arranged so that steam or hot water 

 may be used in the pipes as seems best. In cold weather, the 

 pipes may be filled with steam, while towards spring tbey may be 

 filled with water. Such a plan has been found very satisfactory in 

 practice. 



Where steam is used, the boiler should be so large that by a 

 pressure of not over six pounds, all the houses are warmed in the 

 coldest weather. 



Now, such complete heating plants as my friend, Mr. Gould, and 

 myself have referred to, are expensive; and many beginners in the 

 greenhouse business, hesitate at the outset about putting so much 

 money into what is a doubtful experiment for them. I thoroughly 

 believe that, if a man has had experience, so that he is conversant 

 with the details of his business, it is proper for him to start in 

 with an expensive heating plant and houses. But if he is just 

 feeling his way along, and does not want to risk much, I am just 

 old fashioned enough to recommend that he commence with a 

 house made of hot-bed sash, and heated jvith a good brick flue. A 

 good brick flue is very cheaply built, and will do most excellent 

 service as a heater. We have with us to-day a young man who 

 has aided his father in building a greenhouse 120 feet long and 

 20 feet wide, that when all finished and ready for use, only cost 

 them $400. They have used their house for several winters, and 

 during the cold months, take off four crops of lettuce. They have 

 made that house pay them well. 



Mr. K. Mackintosh, then gave a description of his fathers green- 

 house substantially as follows: 



A CHEAP GREENHOUSE. 

 By Rodger Mackintosh of L&ngdon. 



The green house that I have been called upon to describe is one 

 hundred feet long and twenty feet wide, with a furnace room at the 

 West end, twelve by twenty. (Fig. 2). The house is built of wood; 

 the posts are oak, four or five inches in diameter. They are placed 

 a few feet in the ground, and at every joint of the sash. The walls 

 are made of fencing, the first tier nailed on the outside of the 

 posts; then a layer of tarred paper, held in place by inch strips 

 nailed on each post. This forms a dead air space when the outer 

 boards are nailed on. 



The sash are six feet seven inches long by three feet ten inches 

 wide; made of one and three-fourths inch material, with glass seven 

 by nine. These are larger than fche common hot bed sash, so that they 



