2 THE AMATEUR S GEEENHOUSE 



information, systematically arranged, on those departments of 

 plant-house construction and plant cultivation which may be 

 properly considered under the general heads of the " green- 

 house" and " conservatory," in which a temperate climateis 

 maintained, as distinguished from the " stove," the " orchid- 

 house," and other structures in which a tropical climate ia 

 required for the advantage of tropical plants. Considering the 

 treacherous nature of our climate and the length of the winter 

 season, it cannot be said we have as yet attained to a full know- 

 ledge of the value of glass in horticulture. Nevertheless 

 immense progress has been made since glass and bricks and 

 timber were rendered free of duty, and the vast number of 

 patented plant houses and protective pits that are now in the 

 market sufficieutly prove that the demand for such has in- 

 creased and is increasiug. An amateur who purposes to pro- 

 vide some kind of glass structure to enlarge the uses and 

 enhance the enjoyments of the garden may well be perplexed 

 at first as to the best mode of procedure. The horticultural 

 papers teem with advertisements of '-'portable," "imperish- 

 able," and " multum in parvo" plant houses, and with an 

 almost endless variety of apparatus for heating. It will be 

 found, however, on careful inspection, that in plan and material 

 these do not greatly differ, and that in certain leading particu- 

 lars they very nearly agree all round, so that a blind man could 

 scarcely go wrong, except, perhaps, as to price, in making 

 choice amongst them. But it is not every one who desires the 

 latest patented invention turned out complete as from a band- 

 box. In one case an amateur may elect to be his own builder; 

 in another there may be need to give a builder directions, and, 

 perhaps, to watch over the work. One important condition of 

 success, whatever be the mode of procedure, is that the ama- 

 teur should have a clear idea of the sort of house required to 

 suit the plants he intends to shelter in it. 



The great point is to begin well, and the business of the 

 ■writer of this will be to point out as clearly as possible how 

 the desired end is to be secured, at the least possible expense, 

 and with the greatest possible promise of a successful issue. 

 Matters of fact will concern us chiefly, but matters of opinion 

 will, perhaps, occasionally intrude and be governed always 

 with good intentions, and seasoned with some little knowledge 

 of the subject — sufficient, let us hope, for the purpose. 



A disquisition on the nice distinctions that might be drawn 



