62 THE HOUSE. 



THE HOUSE. Any one having a common greenhouse may 

 begin to collect a few species and grow them amongst the ordi- 

 nary plants such as Camellias, Azaleas, Pelargoniums, and New 

 Holland plants ; but when the collection has become extensive, 

 then T would recommend them to be cultivated in a house of the 

 same temperature, entirely by themselves. The best cultivators 

 who have the means, always grow every large tribe of plants 

 separately such, for instance, as Heaths, Hoses, Camellias, &c., 

 and thus succeed much better than by mixing them indis- 

 criminately together. This is a good method, and holds true also 

 about Orchids from mild climates. Therefore, I recommend a 

 house devoted to them alone where it is convenient or possible. 

 The form of the house does not much signify, though in order to 

 thoroughly enjoy every plant, a span-roof is the most suitable 

 form. I would let it run from east to west, so that the one side 

 will have all the morning sun, and the other all the afternoon 

 sun. Glass sides are not indispensable, provided the angle is 

 rather sharp say 33 or 35. A flattish roof is objectionable on 

 account of drip. A stage of corresponding form to the roof 

 should be in the centre, and a broad shelf next the front will be 

 useful for low-growing plants, or for such that are deciduous. 

 This shelf will be a suitable habitation when they are at rest. 

 The house may either be heated with an ordinary flue covered in 

 with dished tiles or flags, or, with what is better, hot-water pipes, 

 with troughs (o hold water fixed upon them. 



Contrivances for giving air should be provided abundantly, 

 both for letting in large supplies of fresh air, and for letting the 

 over-heated air escape out at the highest part of the roof. That 

 part may be made with a board a foot or more broad. At in- 

 tervals of a foot apart, the board should be cut into long squares, 

 and each of these hinged at one side, and a rack at the other. A 

 long iron rod connected by a lever with each of those hinged 

 pieces, should be so contrived as to turn round by a wheel and 

 pinion at one end. By turning this each hinged piece will rise 

 and thus give air and let out the heated air when necessary. To 



