214 Chapter on Girenhouscs. 



formed in a bed with suitable soil, and the camellias are planted in it. The 

 uniformity of the plants, with the healthy and vigorous growth and the 

 superiority of the flowers, are a sure guaranty that this is the proper treat- 

 ment. The front shelf is kept for plants in pots. From this apartment, 

 on each side the width of the shelf, is the entrance to the fire-pit and 

 potting-room. The fire-room is made large enough for boiler and for the 

 storage of coal. The potting-room is of size large enough to afford ample 

 room for the storing of pots and soil. Benches are placed on three sides, 

 under which are stored the different soils and the pots. From the fire-room 

 a flue is carried across into the greenhouse, along the centre, by the dotted 

 lines, to the centre of the cistern to which it rises, passing through and into 

 the ornamental chimney-top outside. 



From the camellia-house on the north end is the entrance to the rose- 

 house. This is fitted with one path in the centre : each side is a prepared 

 bed. The rose-bushes are planted in the soil. 



The roof of this house is made in sashes of suitable size, and made to 

 take off in the summer-season, and replaced on approach of cold weather. 

 On the opposite side is the entrance to the propagatingpit. This is fitted 

 as described in the December number. 



The cistern in the cupola of the plant-houses is kept full of water by means 

 of a ram or water-works of any kind, and kept at a uniform height by means 

 of a float-valve. This cupola receiving all the heat of the house around the 

 tank, the water is rendered quite tepid. An abundant supply of water fit for 

 use at any time is always accessible. From the cistern, the water is taken 

 in a one-inch pipe down to the floor; from there under and along the walks 

 to the different places in each apartment, to which a three-fourths hydrant- 

 bib is attached. From this a piece of three-quarters hose about sixteen or 

 twenty feet in length is sufficient to water and syringe all parts of the 

 building. 



In the location of this range, the land being slightly hollowing, the piers 

 for the vineries were started from the surface, and carried up two and a half 

 feet. The soil being coarse gravel, the drainage was good. 



The walls for the plant-houses are built on the same level ; the borders 

 of the vineries being built upon the surface of the ground, and carried out 

 in the form of a terrace some fifteen feet; the terrace being extended 



