SITUATION. 23 



western aspect for late houses, and these facts have regulated 

 the erection of some extensive houses with which we are ac- 

 quainted. In this country, however, hot-houses are seldom 

 erected for the express purpose of retarding grapes, or other 

 fruits, although we have no doubt that very late grapes would 

 pay better than early ones, since there would be very little ex- 

 pense in their production. The sun's rays in this climate are 

 so powerful, that the difference in aspect may not be so percep- 

 tible, in regard to late and early forcing, as in England ; still 

 we have no doubt the difference will be found sufficient to justify 

 the erection of houses for these purposes, on the aspects we have 

 pointed out as being most suitable for each. 



In the erection of span-roofed houses, that is, houses with 

 double roofs, it makes very little difference, in the opinion of 

 many, which way the house may stand, and, upon the whole, 

 the arguments hitherto used, in favor of one aspect over another, 

 have been so feeble as hardly to deserve any consideration. 

 Supposing the house to be a parallelogram, or long square, with 

 both gables glazed, as well as the sides and roof, then, we think, 

 it may stand any wiy in which the nature of the site, or taste 

 of the erector, may dictate. Light being the most important 

 point of attention in the construction of hot-houses, these are 

 better adapted for plant-growing than those whose transparent 

 surface forms only a segment of their transverse section. 



As a general principle, provided other circumstances are fa- 

 vorable, we would recommend the house to stand north and south, 

 with its longer elevations towards the east and west ; we find 

 this to be the opinion of some of the best gardeners in the coun- 

 try, with which we fully agree. If any advantage be gained by 

 placing the house in one direction, in preference to another, we 

 think it is the one mentioned, as the rays of the meridian sun 

 will then strike the glass in an oblique direction, and have less 

 power than if they were to fall upon the glass at right angles 

 to it.* 



The aspect of conservatories attached to dwelling-houses 



* For more detailed information on this matter, see Sec. II., Design 

 and Slope of Roof. 

 3 



