HOTBEDS AND GREENHOUSES 109 



exotic plants. They will be frozen, to a certainty! It is 

 economy to pay a fair price in the beginning to secure a prop- 

 erly built greenhouse that will withstand the trials of winter." 



"If iron frame is used instead of wood, there is greater dura- 

 bility, and the structure being more slender, will admit 

 more light, but the cost will be increased." 



" It makes very little difference in cost what shape of house 

 is to be erected. The cost per lineal foot for an even span 

 is practically the same as for a lean-to of the same length 

 and width. In the lean-to, in order to get the sufficient 

 bench and walk space inside, it is necessary to carry the roof 

 to a point much higher than in the even span. The extra 

 framework and material for the roof cost a good deal, yet 

 add practically nothing to the efficiency of the house." 



"Heating of greenhouses is best done by hot water, and 

 in a small house the pipes may well be connected with the 

 heating system used for the dwelling, if the greenhouse and 

 the home are within any sort of reasonable distance from each 

 other. For large houses, or ranges of several houses together, 

 the independent heating plant is necessary. Steam is used 

 for heating by commercial florists, but it is economical only 

 on a large scale." 



"As a uniform temperature must be maintained in the 

 house, the fires, where steam is used, need watching contin- 

 uously during cold weather, for the moment the water 

 ceases to boil, the pipes cool off, and a considerable time is 

 consumed in starting the heat running again. With hot 

 water there is much more latitude in attention, for though 

 the fires dwindle, the water which fills the pipes will carry 

 heat for a long time, and it will circulate until the last degree 

 is radiated. But a hot-water system costs in the installa- 

 tion about one fourth more than steam. Very small houses 



