196 A Chapter on Greenhouses. 



a large grotto or cavern covering the entire basin. In packing the stone, 

 coarse material is used to fill the crevices, and stop the soil from falling 

 through. 



At the top a small basin is formed and cemented, to which a small pipe 

 is conducted, and supplies water to the basin, either by a small jet or foun- 

 tain or by a direct opening. The overflow of the basin is conducted in 

 such a manner as to trickle down and over the rocks, falling into the large 

 basin below ; care being used that the water is not allowed to run behind 

 the rocks so as to saturate the soil there. 



The stone used for this purpose is a combination of vegetable matter, 

 fossil shells, and lime, which is found in moist places near the springs in 

 limestone regions. It being of a very porous nature, the rootlets of plants 

 fill all the crevices, and find their way through the stone in all directions, 

 obtaining plenty of nourishment without any additional provision except 

 moisture. The stone itself being a stimulant, lycopodiums, ferns, and 

 other plants, grow and thrive most luxuriantly upon it. 



Behind the front of the rockery, the space is filled upon a slope about 

 twenty inches high at its lowest point, then rising at a gradual ascent till 

 it meets the rockery in front, thus dispensing with the shelving, and giving 

 space for the different-sized plants ; it being supposed that the amateur 

 has larger and more choice specimens of pla,nts than the professional florist 

 who cultivates for sale. 



The space on tlie front shelf being filled with the small plants, it leaves 

 the centre for the large ones. The rockery also forms places to set plants 

 in pots. If judiciously arranged, no waste room is occupied with the rock- 

 ery. The whole forms one of those features so satisfactory to all lov^ers 

 of Nature's works. The furnace of this house was placed in the cellar of 

 the dwelling, and the pipe for heating carried in a covered trench under 

 ground about thirty feet to the greenhouse. 



The boiler is of Messrs. Wethered & Cherevoy, of New- York manufac- 

 ture ; and gave abundance of heat during the late severe winter. 



By this arrangement of placing the boiler in the cellar, the expense of a 

 fire-pit is avoided. It is very easily attended by some one of its occupants 

 in the absence of the proper person, without the necessity of exposure in 

 severe weather. F. A. Lord. 



Syracuse, NY. 



