432 APPENDIX. 



also kept paint pots, oil cans, boxes, baskets, and a variety of other mat- 

 ters. The whole of this shed is kept warm by the heat which escapes 

 from the fire-pJace in 61, and from the back of the orchidaceous house, 4. 



61, Fire-place and boiler for heating the orchidaceous house. 



62, Place for arranging garden pots. 



63, Shed, with roof of patent slates, which becomes a cheap mode of roof- 

 ing in consequence of requiring so few rafters, amply lighted from the 

 roof, and kept warm in the winter time by the heat proceeding from the 

 boilers at 61 and 64. This shed contains a potting-bench, cistern of 

 water, and compartments for mould ; and, being lofty, it contains in the 

 upper part two apartments enclosed by wirework, for curious foreign 

 pigeons or other birds. On the ground are set, during the winter season, 

 the large agaves and other succulent plants which are then in a dormant 

 state, and which are kept in the open garden during summer. On the 

 whole, this is an exceedingly convenient working-shed ; being central to 

 the houses 3, 4, 5, and 6 ; being kept comfortably warm by the boilers ; 

 being well lighted from the roof ; and having the two windows indicated 

 at 62, before which is the potting-bench. 



64, Fire-place to the conservatory and the camellia-house. 



65, Place for keeping food for the rabbits and pigeons, with stairs to the 

 pigeon-house, which is placed over it. 



66, Rabbit-house, containing twenty-one hutches, each of which is a cubic 

 box of 20 in. on the side. Each box is in two divisions, an eating-place 

 and a sleeping-place ; the sleeping-place is 8 in. wide, and is entered by 

 an opening in the back part of the partition. Both divisions have an outer 

 door in front ; and, in order that the door of the sleeping-place may not 

 be opened by any stranger, it is fastened by an iron pin, which carmot be 

 seen or touched till the door of the eating-place is opened. Mr. Pratt 

 pointed this out to us as an improvement in the construction of rabbit- 

 hutches, well deserving of imitation wherever there is any chance of boys 

 or idle persons getting into the rabbit-house. The rabbits are fed on 

 garden vegetables and bran, barley, oatmeal, and hay, making frequent 

 changes ; the vegetables being gathered three or four days before being 

 used, and laid in a heap to sweat, in order to deprive them of a portion of 

 their moisture. Salt is also given occasionally with the bran. Cleanli- 

 ness, and frequent change of food, have now, for five years, kept the rab- 

 bits in constant health. It ought never to be forgotten, that attention to 



