100 THE TUBEROUS BEGONIA. 



THE BEST FORM OF BEGONIA HOUSE. 



fHE best form of glasshouse in which to bloom Begonias to perfection is 

 a span-roofed structure, in an open and sunny position, built entirely 

 above the ground, and running east and west, or nearly so. This is 

 obviously a better direction than north and south, because in the latter 

 case shading must be given on both sides, and if this is done by means of 

 blinds on rollers one must be let down early, and taken off again shortly 

 after mid-day, while that on the west side must be drawn rather before noon, 

 and left on till near sunset, thus rendering two blinds and double trouble 

 necessary ; whereas an east and west house only needs, if the roof is of 

 moderate pitch, a single blind on the south side, which, with perhaps a 

 slight sprinkle of whitewash on the north, just at midsummer, will answer 

 every purpose, and the plants will constantly enjoy the benefit of the full 

 north light, even while the shading is on. 



If a number of specimen plants are to be grown, and a house is set apart 

 for them, a wide span-roofed structure, with' a stage in the centre, one on each 

 side, and two pathways, is undoubtedly the best form for not only is a wide 

 and therefore comparatively lofty structure more suitable for the plants, but 

 fine specimens present a much better appearance arranged on a central stage, 

 where they are viewed from the outside, than they can possibly do on 

 narrow side stages. There is also much more accommodation for hanging 

 baskets in a house of this description than in a smaller and lower structure. 

 Suitable dimensions for a house of this class would be, centre stage, 8 feet. 

 in width, a 3-foot pathway on each side of this, and a 3 or 4 feet 

 wide staging again outside the path, giving a total width of 20 to 22 feet, or 

 say 25 feet wide (outside measurement) for a fine roomy structure ; the length 

 may be anything from 30 to 100 feet or more. The stages should 

 be about 3 feet in height, strongly made, and of open construction. 

 Flooring boards, 1 inch thick, and 4 to 6 inches in width are perhaps better 

 than the battens usually employed, particularly for large plants, as being 

 stronger, cheaper, and affording better standing for the pots ; a space of from 

 1 to 1 inch should be left between each, to allow of a free circulation of air. 



Side lights vertical glazed sashes of about 3 feet in height should 

 be arranged above the level of the stages on each side ; these, or at any 

 rate every alternate one, should be hinged on to the upper plate, to act as 

 ventilators when required, and they may be worked either by the usual arm 

 and lever arrangement, or, if economy is an object, singly by hand, with 

 a block and button to keep them in position. Supposing the width of 

 the house from the outside of the wall plates to be 20 feet, the ridge-plank 

 apex of the roof should be fixed at a distance of 7 feet 6 inches or 8 feet above 

 the level of the upper plate or uaves of the house ; this will give a good pitch. 



