46 THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FORCING-HOUSE. 



the two upper benches, and another 3-inch flow and three 

 i^-inch returns heat the lower bed. This same house 

 could be heated with steam by one 2-inch riser and six to 

 eight i^-inch returns. An exposed tomato house (Fig. 

 14, page 31), is heated by a i l / 2 -\nc\\ steam riser which 

 feeds a i-inch loop running around the house just under 

 the plate, and four i^-inch loops just above the soil. 

 Another loop and a half (from an independent riser) runs 

 about the center walk. In this house, the bottom heat 

 is supplied by the heaters themselves, which stand just 

 beneath the floor. The floor is made of two layers of 

 inch boards, with tar between the layers. 



Fig- J 5 (P a S e 3 2 )> showing a house used for lettuce, 

 cauliflowers, carnations and chrysanthemums, 20 ft. wide 

 and 60 ft. long, is heated by one 2-inch steam riser and 

 two i)-inch returns under each side bench. The middle 

 bench is solid, and has no bottom heat. Fig. 28 (page 45) 

 shows the water returns in a tomato house near Philadel- 

 phia. There are eight returns under each bench, the coil 

 standing edgewise under the left-hand bench, and lying 

 flat-wise under the other. 



Flues and stoves. Beginners with little capital can make 

 a very good forcing-house with old sash, and can heat the 

 same with flues from a home-made furnace. Lettuce houses 

 can even be heated with a coal stove. The novice will 

 always do well to begin with a small and simple establish- 

 ment, although it rarely pays to erect a very cheap house 

 if it can be avoided. 



COST OF FORCING-HOUSES. 



Only the most general remarks can be made respecting 

 the cost of forcing-houses, for so much depends upon the 

 finish, the expense put in foundations, and the experience 

 and efficiency of the workmen. Taft estimates the expense 

 of building a three-quarter span rose house, 20x100 ft., 

 including heating apparatus, to average about $1,100 to 



