108 THREE ACRES AND LIBERTY 



best type of greenhouse for all-round purposes is unques- 

 tionably what is known as the even span that is, a house 

 hi which the roof is in the form of an inverted V, so as to be 

 exposed as much as possible to sunlight, and having the ridge- 

 pole in the center. All other types of houses are modifica- 

 tions from the simplest form, and are designed in some way 

 or other to fit some special requirements. These require- 

 ments may be : the cultural necessities for some particular 

 crop; a desire to have the atmospheric conditions inside 

 more or less abnormal at given seasons (as in a forcing house) ; 

 or an adaptation to some peculiarity of the situation, as when 

 a greenhouse is built as an adjunct to other buildings." 



"It is plain common sense that the ideal greenhouse is 

 one in which the light is most nearly that which exists out- 

 side, and in which the heat is as evenly distributed. It is 

 practical experience that a structure with as few angles 

 and turns in it as possible and with a minimum of woodwork 

 in its superstructure, best answers these conditions. . . . 

 Greenhouse building has developed into a special industry, 

 and the modern American greenhouse is the highest type of 

 construction. It is built with as careful calculation to its 

 situation and its requirements as is the country dwelling- 

 house. Such a thing naturally is not cheap." 



"The low-priced 'cheap greenhouse' is a makeshift of 

 some sort. Perhaps its roof is constructed of hotbed sash, 

 a perfectly feasible method of construction, which for or- 

 dinary, commonplace gardening will answer admirably. 

 Or, its foundation is merely the plain earth. Such a build- 

 ing does admirably in the summer tune, and even in the late 

 spring and early autumn ; but woe betide the enthusiastic 

 amateur in winter, who, being possessed of one of these 

 light greenhouse structures, has indulged in a few costly, 



