THE CONSTEUCTION OF PLANT HOUSES. 83 



Location of Greenhouses. — In some grounds there is only 

 one possible site where the greenhouse can be located. In such a 

 ease the question to be decided is as to the best form of house for 

 the desired uses, which can be placed in the location. In other 

 cases there is a choice of situation, when important questions arise 

 as to where the house will look best on the grounds, be most con- 

 veniently attended, and accessible to visitors. It is seldom 

 desirable to place the houses conspicuously in the front. Like the 

 flowers, they thrive best in a sunny and quiet spot. They should 

 not be placed too far from the dwelling, and should be located 

 where they can have a pleasant approach through a well kept part 

 of the grounds. The best location for a range of glass can usually 

 be readily determined by one who has had experience in the choice 

 of locations and is familiar with all the requirements. It is in 

 choosing the site best adapted to the purposes of a greenhouse 

 that the services of an experienced greenhouse architect will be 

 found of great value to the owner. 



Houses used chiefly for bedding stock and forcing purposes are 

 usually best located near the garden. Where a range of glass is 

 to contain a conservatory or winter garden, plant houses, fruit, 

 and forcing houses, it is generally best to build them all attached, 

 so that they can be attended and warmed from one point. The fruit 

 and plant houses should not be mixed together but should occupy 

 separate parts of the range. To obtain the best results the houses, 

 such as rose houses, forcing houses, and early vineries, should 

 have full sunlight on the south side, and no trees should be 

 allowed on this side nearer than three times their height. For 

 conservatories and other houses where palms, ferns, and foliage 

 plants predominate, a location which excludes the direct sun 

 is often selected, either from choice or necessity, and is very 

 satisfactory. In respect to heating, the ideal place for a green- 

 house is on a southerly slope, neither on top of a hill where the 

 winds are severe, nor yet in the valley where the thermometer 

 usually marks several additional degrees of cold. 



Construction of Greenhouses. — After location and plans 

 have been duly considered comes the equally important matter of 

 construction. At the present time there are three general modes 

 of construction from which those wishing to build a greenhouse 

 can choose, and each, under certain conditions, would be preferable 

 to either of the others. 



