136 HOT-HOUSE. 



conducted by the upright tube or pipe, which must always 

 be full of water. This we consider the most economical 

 method of heating by hot water, and it is by far the most 

 simple simple indeed in every part, though volumes have 

 been written on the subject. 



Park Pit. We consider such an erection in the centre 

 of a hot-house a nuisance, and prefer a stage, which may 

 be constructed according to taste. It should be made of 

 the best Carolina pine, leaving a passage all round, to cause 

 a free circulation of air. The back and end paths may be 

 about two feet wide, and the front three feet. The angle 

 of the stage should be parallel with the glass, having the 

 steps from six inches to one foot apart. 



Where there are some large plants, they may stand on 

 the floor behind the stage, or on tressels, according to their 

 height. 



Angle of the glazed Roof. The pitch of the roof is 

 usually varied to agree with the design of the house, and 

 the size of the plants to be grown therein. Where pleasure 

 and ornament are the principal objects, the angle should be 

 about 33 from the level line ; but a few degrees of inclina- 

 tion either way is of minor importance. 



Materials for glazing Sashes.' Caroline pine is the best 

 material for the wood-work, as it is not so subject to decay 

 from moisture and heat as the other kinds of pine wood. 

 The frames or sashes can be of any convenient length, not 

 exceeding ten feet, and about three and a half or four feet 

 wide, and made from plank two inches thick, divided so 

 as they can be glazed with glass six inches wide. 



Of Glazing. The pieces of glass should not exceed 

 six inches by eight, though six by six is preferable ; the 

 lappings about one quarter of an inch. The frames ought 

 to have two coats of paint previous to glazing, and the 

 glass bedded in putty. Some prefer the lappings to be 

 puttied also. It is our opinion that in a hot-house these 

 should not be puttied, but, in the green-house, the closer 

 they can be made the better. 



Of Shutters. These should be made of three-quarters 

 of an inch white pine, and bound on both ends and sides, 

 having a cross piece in the middle of the same. They 

 ought to be painted at least once in three years. 



