CONSERVATORIES. 245 



665. At the bottom of the iron pillars ai-e sockets let into stone, giving 

 firmness to them, and through this socket the lead pipe ia carr^-^ into the 

 drain. The height of back wall is 13 feet 6 inches at the lowest, and Vo feec at 

 the highest part, or ridge of the angle ; the front 8 feet 6 inches in the vallc}-, 

 10 feet at the ridge or angle. The lights are fixed and angular, each 25 feet 

 G inches,— front and side lights slide in a double groove ; the centre row of 

 pillars, 2 feet 6 inches longer than the front or end pillars. Two feet from 

 the bottom of each a screw passes, to fasten the bearer which supports the 

 central walk ; another arched iron support on the top of each rises up to the 

 ridge of each angle. The pieces terminate in small squares, which fix in a similar 

 hollow left at the top of the pillars ; into which they are fastened by means of 

 lead run into the interstices. In each valley of the angles, two large screws 

 are inserted into the styles of the light, to fasten them firmly. Air is admitted 

 by sliding back the front sashes, and by ventilators in the back wall, which 

 swing on pivots and open by means of long iron rods having holes forged and 

 pins driven into the wall, regulating the an- at pleasure. Over these a square 

 of trellis- work is placed inside. The sash-bars are one-inch, and grooved to 

 receive the glass. 



664. In the ventilation of the forcing-houses at Frogmore, an iron rod, which 

 works on brass bearings or chains, runs the whole length of the house about 

 a foot from the wall-plate. On this shaft, opposite each light, is a brass pinion 

 working into ft toothed quadrant attached to the bottom rail of each light. 

 This shaft is turned by a handle, when the quadrants are either thrown out 

 or drawn in, and the whole light thrown open or shut to the extent required. 

 In the back wall of each intermediate light is a ventilating-frame, which 

 is opened, or sh\xt by similar apparatus : above these frames over the glass is 

 a corresponding number of open gratings. Flues or chambers in the wall open 

 into the flues at the bottom, while the grating covers the opening at top. 

 When it is desired to thoroughly ventilate the house, the fan-lights being open, 

 it is only necessary to tm-n the screw or worm, which is connected by the rod 

 attached to the lever ; and the lever being attached to the end of an iron shaft 

 running the whole length of the house, the whole are thrown openat once. 



665. " There are many modes," says Mr. Humphreys, " by which the 

 conservatory might be rendered both picturesque and interesting, apart 

 from the actual brilliancy of the flowers. The principal feature being to 

 relieve the spectator, as far as possible, of the idea that he is walking under 

 glass, I propose to do this by making the framework for receiving the glass 

 of some irregular form, resembling the branches of trees or ribs of large 

 leaves, such as the palms. This would greatly tend to encom-age the illusion 

 that the openings between the branches are not glazed." This Mr. Hum- 

 phreys proposes to do by the introduction of a series of light iron arches, 

 meeting at a centre, glazed with curved glass, giving the appearance of a 

 succession of arches half-hid, half-seen through the rich foliage of palms and 

 climbing plants; while ornamental basins and vases fill up the recesses 

 formed by these light airy supports to the roof. 



