138 Landscape Gardening 



thrive more perfectly, when it is glazed on all of the three 

 sides, so as to admit light in every direction.* 



The best aspect for a conservatory is directly south; 

 southeast and southwest are scarcely inferior. Even east 

 and west exposures will do very well, where there is plenty 

 of glass to admit light; for though our winters are cold, 

 yet there is a great abundance of sun, and bright clear 

 atmosphere, both far more beneficial to plants than the 

 moist, foggy vapor of an English winter, which, though 

 mild, is comparatively sunless. When the conservatory 

 adjoins and looks into the flower-garden, the effect will be 

 appropriate and pleasing. 



Some few hints respecting the construction of a con- 

 servatory may not be unacceptable to some of our readers. 

 In the first place, the roof should have a sufficient slope to 

 carry off the rain rapidly, to prevent leakage; from 40 to 

 45 degrees is found to be the best inclination in our climate. 

 The roof should by no means be glazed with large panes, 

 because small ones have much greater strength, which is 

 requisite to withstand the heavy weight of snow that often 

 falls during the winter, as well as to resist breakage by hail 

 storms in summer. Four or eight inches by six, is the best 

 size for roof-glass, f and with this size the lap of the panes 

 need not be greater than one-eighth of an inch, while it 

 would require to be one-fourth of an inch, were the panes 

 of the usual size. On the front and sides, the sashes may 

 be handsome, and filled in with the best glass; even plate 

 glass has been used in many cases to our knowledge here.f 



* It need not be forgotten that very great improvements in green- 

 house construction have been made since this chapter was written. The 

 attached conservatory is now much more practicable and efficient than 

 at that time. F. A. W. 



f Sixteen by twenty-four inches is now considered the standard size. 

 -F. A. AY. 



t In the original edition the Author here proceeds to give practical 

 suggestions regarding the heating of greenhouses and conservatories; 

 but these directions are now so completely out of date that it seems better 

 to omit them altogether. Instead of rewriting this portion of the book 

 the Editor of the Seventh Edition prefers to recommend to the reader's 



