68G 



GREENHOUSE 



amongst the earliest attempts to make low glass ranges 

 (or plants, particularly in Englaiul. 



It was about the beginning of the nineteenth century 

 that great improvements began to be made in the glass- 

 house. This new interest was due to the introduction 

 of new plants from strange countries, the improvement 

 of heating apparatus, and the general advance in the 

 art of building. The ideals which prevailed at the open- 

 ing the century may be gleaned from J. Loudon's 

 "Treatise on Several Improvements recently made in 

 Hot-Houses," London, 180.'). One of the devices recom- 

 mended by Loudon will interest the reader. It is shown 



GREENHOUSE 



"Iff. 



ilathH,Ua 



iocn/ioH. — Greenhouses which are intended for use 

 in connection with the garden should be placed, for con- 

 venient attendance, within the garden inclosure or 

 along its boundary. A good location for the garden 

 will usually be found the best one for the Greenhouse. 



A conservatory or Greenhouse designed for a private 

 place, where specimen aud blooming plants will be kept 

 for the pleasure of the family and entertainment of 

 visitors, should be attached to the dwelling or located as 



987, Switzer'3 elasshouse, built 



in B'lg. 988. The bellows is used for the purpose of u 

 forcing air into the house, that the plants may be sup- 

 plied with a fresh or non-vitiated atmosphere. "By 

 forcing the air into the house, once a day or so, double 

 the quantity of air which the house usually contains " 

 can be secured. The bouse could be "charged." The 

 tube leading from the bellows is shown at 6; it dis- 

 charges at c. Curtains run on the wire, i; the curtain 

 cord is at f. 



All commercial structures are now built on the 

 plan of the long, low glass range, with very little height 

 at the eaves. The taller glass structures, if built at nil, 

 are used for c.iD^^f.wntr.rv ymf p.t^cs or n=! nr'-liit^f'tiirnl 

 features. Tli.- -n, ,■.■;, I n i",,l V ,,; .1,,. inri,|,, ., ,,,■ ;.■■,., 



In the 



frosts and from tl.c sun (Fii,'. li.S'.M. Tlie hi-ating whieli 

 employed in this country is of three differeu 



threads. The comparative merits of steam and hot 

 water in these wrought-iron pipes are much discussed. 

 For large establishments, particularly those which are 

 on various elevations, and which are likely to be changed 

 frequently, steam is preferable; and, on the whole, it 

 seems to be gaining in favor for commercial establish- 

 ments. It requires no more attention on the part of the 

 operator, when modern heaters are used, than hot water. 

 However, the merits of one system or the other are 

 very largely those of the individual establishment and 

 apparatus, and the personal choice of the operator (see 

 Forrinci). 



The special American literature on Greenhouse con- 

 struction and management will be found in the follow- 

 ing books: Leuchars' "Hot-Houses," 1850; Henderson's 

 "Practical Floriculture," first ed., 1869; Field's "Green- 

 house as a Winter Garden," 1869; Hunt's "How to 

 Grow Cut-Flowers, "189;!; Taft's" Greenhouse Construc- 

 tion," 1893 ; Bailey's "Forcing Book," 1897 ; Taft's 

 "Greenhouse Management," 1898. l. h. B. 



Greenhouse Construction. — For convenience, this sub- 

 ject may be considered under the following heads; i.e., 



' better and ( 

 in a house hav- 

 rcceive but lit- 

 ss adapted to a 

 separate from 

 lould be near a 



clined wall. 1731. 



near as possible in a well-kept part of the ground 

 conservatory does not require a full southern exposure. 



Most decorative plants thrive as w 



tinue in bloom for a longer time if 

 ing plenty of light, but s.. I.m ,,t.-.i 

 tie direct sunlight. Lar-,- lan,.- 

 variety of purposes ai-r- f.-- in mil) 

 other buildings. In parks tin- Ux-a 

 main entrance. 



The location of a range of glass for commercial pur- 

 poses, where the elements of expense and profit are to 

 have the first consideration, is of great importance. 

 The chief items which determine the desiral)ility of a 

 suitable location are the adaptability and value of the 

 land, cost of fuel delivered, ample and inexpensive 

 water supply, and proximity to a market. The top of a 

 bleak hill or the bottom of a valley should both be 

 avoided. Level land, or that having a southerly slope, is 

 the best. 



P?aHs.— When asite for the proposed Greenhouse has 

 been decided upon, full plans should be made before 

 commencing to build. The plans should embrace not 

 only the glass, which is required at once, but should 

 provide for the largest increase which can be antici- 

 pated. In this way houses can 

 i)e erected which are convenient 

 to work and have a good ap- 

 pearance, with small extra cost 

 for building only part at a time. 

 Attention should be given to 

 the special peculiarities of the 

 location, like the exposure to 

 the sun, grade of ground, shape 

 of lot, and best location for the 

 heating apparatus. Each com- 

 partment should have the pro- 

 per form of house and exposure 



\ 



ti^'^? 



'ice for charging a Greenhouse with air. loU5. 



