18 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 
— 
from the center of the main building 150 feet to the south. The front 
consists of a center pavilion, 60 feet long, 32 feet wide, and 30 feet in 
extreme height; two end pavilions, each 30 feet square and 26 feet in 
height, connected by wings, each 100 feet in length, 25 feet in width, 
and 17 feet extreme height. Ventilation is provided by hinged sashes 
on the upright portion of the lantern which surmounts the roof. These 
are arranged so as to admit air and exclude rain, a very desirable pro- 
vision in the management of all kinds of plant structures. The center 
apartment is designed for the reception of palms and other large-grow- . 
ing tropical plants that may be necessary in the collection, which is con- 
templated to be strictly economic and utilizable. The two end pavilions 
will be occupied by the orange family and other semi-tropical fruits, and 
plants of tall growth. The connecting wings are arranged for the mis- 
cellaneous collections of plants now being secured, 
The grapery has been planted with an assortment of foreign grapes. 
The borders for their growth are prepared solely on the outside of the 
walls, and the stems of the plants introduced through openings made in 
the brick-work. The border was prepared by running a drain 15 feet 
from the house and parailel with it. From this main, cross-drains were 
dug 10 feet apart, thus insuring perfect drainage. The soil was then 
deeply spaded, covering in and mixing with it a good dressing of rotted 
manure. The object being to produce a healthy and properly matured 
growth, an excessively rich border was avoided to begin with; when it 
is found necessary, the soil can be enriched by surface-manuring. The 
vines are planted three feet apart, being fifty on a side, altogether com- 
prising one hundred varieties, the dark and rose-colored kinds being on 
one side, and the light-colored on the other. 
The heating is effected by hot water circulating in iron pipes, About 
5,000 feet of four-inch piping wiil be required for the entire structure. 
Two boilers have been set in place for heating the water. Stop-valves 
are introduced, so that the boilers may work independently of each 
other, or in combination, as may be desired. Hach apartment tan also 
be heated independently of the others, thus affording every facility for 
the practical application of heat to suit the habits of the plants. 
The external appearance of these houses is nuch admired. They are 
well proportioned, and present a pleasing architectural effect, which is 
not produced at the expense of their adaptability to the healthy growth 
of plants. They are also substantially built, the foundation walls being 
of red sandstone, with base and caps of rubbed bluestone, forming a 
good contrast. The windows and doors of the pavilions are finished, 
with ornamental Moresque arches, springing from the caps of the light 
intermediate pilasters. ‘These arches are parted from each other by 
molded brackets supporting the main cornice, behind which the glazed 
cupola roof rises. The lanterns above the curved roof are arranged with 
movable sashes for ventilation. The main entrance projects boldly from 
the mass of the building, with three arched openings, which are sur- 
mounted by a graceful pediment. 
The frame of the structure is painted in different shades of buff, with 
the sash-bars laid in pearl color. The ornamental ridge imparts a light 
appearance to the monotonous roof line, and the characteristic feature 
ot the decorations consists in their judicious application to the constit- 
tent elements of the construction, instead of constructing superilueus 
work for the purpose of mere decoration. 
These houses are covered on what is now known as the fixed-roof 
mode. The sash bars are set for 12-inch glass, which is carefully bedded 
in putty, and firmly secured in place by brad-nails; no putty is used ° 
