14 SITUATION. 



The climate, and especially the prevailing winds of the locality, 

 should be studied attentively, in order to anticipate their changes, 

 and avoid, as far as possible, their injurious effects. No doubt 

 it is sometimes difficult to ascertain the precise spot on which to 

 erect hot-houses, with these considerations in view, particularly 

 when the ground is extensive and the choice limited ; yet, in 

 most places, there are some spots preferable to others. A bleak, 

 elevated position should never be chosen, if there be any choice 

 left. If a bare, elevated spot must be chosen, either on account 

 of there being no alternative, or from other adventitious consid- 

 erations, such as to obtain a commanding view of the surround- 

 ing country, or to present a more imposing appearance from the 

 mansion, or from any other point of sight from which it may be 

 thought desirable to view them, then the background should 

 always be planted up with trees. This is indispensable, for two 

 important reasons : 



(1.) For shelter. The northern winds are cold and biting in 

 frosty weather, and air can be admitted when the houses are 

 well sheltered, when it otherwise would be impossible to do so 

 without injury to the plants. Moreover, the north side of a 

 horticultural structure of any kind is the only one that can be 

 appropriately sheltered with tall growing trees. It is, there- 

 fore, the more necessary that trees should be planted close 

 enough to break the wind, but not so close that their overhang- 

 ing branches, when they have attained their full size, may drip 

 upon the glass. This last is an evil which ought, in all cases, 

 to be avoided. Neither ought new houses to be placed so near 

 trees, already standing on the grounds, that these circumstances 

 may occur. 



(2.) For beauty and effect. I do not mean, in this paragraph, 

 to allude to hot-houses in general as handsome architectural 

 objects in the grounds of a country residence, to which consider- 

 ation I will subsequently allude, but merely to the effect which 

 hot-houses of the cheapest and plainest description may be easily 

 made to produce, without much trouble or expense, or without 

 adding one cent to the cost of the structure itself. Let any per- 

 son take a glance at a structure of glass, or range of such struc- 

 tures, having nothing but the distant sky for a background, and 



