GAEDEN MANAGEIIEI^T. 



engraving at the bead of this chapter. Here the border outside the bouso- 

 bas been raised so as to be flush with the wall-plate, which rests on pierS;,. 

 or, if the ground is sufficiently solid, the saddles rest on a concrete bottom : 

 the border is prepared for the reception of the several trees or vines intended' 

 to be grown in it, 



673. The house (fig. 5), however, which Sir Joseph Paxton specially com- 

 mends to Dublic notice is span-roofed, consisting of a range of 14-foot lights, set 



V. — SECTION OP TIUEEX A¥D PLANT-HOrSE. 



at an angle 01 45°, which gives an internal width of 19 feet 9 inches ; and, by 

 raising the borders about four feet above the ground-level, as represented in 

 the engraving at the head of this chapter, a handsome, lofty structure is 

 formed, capable of producing excellent crop: cither of peaches, plums, figs, 

 or. cherries. In a house of this description, Sir Joseph Paxton informs us that 

 he has grown a splendid crop of St, Peter's grapes, which have been ripening 

 in succession since October, and will continue to do so till March, with no 

 more ai'tificial heat than was necessary to keep out the few degrees of frost 

 we have had ; the house being placed, however, as we understand, under a. 

 most lavourable aspect, ranging from north-west to south-east, and on the 

 mild southern slopes of Sydenham, so that each side of the house catches its^ 

 share of the sun's rays for an hour or two daily, even in mid-winter. The vines 

 are trained on wires, near the glass ; while standard peaches, plums, and figs, 

 may be planted on each side the central walk at intervals, and dwarf trees 

 may be planted nearer the glass, according to their size. The standard trees 

 will spread their heads over the centre of the house; and, if left to their 

 natural growth, with only the necessary pruning to admit the light to tha 

 centre of the trees, the result will be productive crops ; and, under judicious 

 management, success will be certain. Fig. 5 represents a house consisting of 

 12-foot lights placed at an angle of 40*, which gives a width of 17 feet, withr 



