Jan.] THE HOT-HOUSE. (J ~ 



a large pane is pinned down, so as to form some kind of a close 

 lap, it presses so hard on the other that one of thorn, and sometimes 

 both crack, which permits the rain to run down frequently on 

 plants that too much moisture in the winter season will absolutely 

 destroy. As to the upright glasses, in the front and ends, they are 

 to be glazed in the ordinary way of house sashes. 



The inside walls should all be well plastered; the flues must 

 also be finished oft' with the best plastering-mortar that can be 

 made, in order to prevent any cracks through which the smoke 

 might pass into the house, which cannot be too carefully guarded 

 against, as it is extremely injurious to plants, causing them to drop 

 their leaves, and if continued long in the house will totally destroy 

 them. 



All the wood-work, both within and without, should be painted 

 white in oil colour, for its preservation, and to give the whole a 

 lively appearance; and the inside walls and flues whitewashed, so 

 as to reflect the rajs of light in every direction, which will be of 

 very considerable advantage to the plants. 



As to any necessary internal erections, there may be ranges of 

 narrow shelves for pots of small plants erected where thought most 

 convenient; some behind over the flues, a single range near the top 

 glasses towards the back part, supported either by brackets sus- 

 pended from the cross-bars above, or by uprights erected on the 

 wall of the bark-pit: a range or two of narrow shelves may also be 

 placed occasionally along both ends and in front above the flues; 

 all of which shelves will serve for holding pots of various sorts of 

 small plants that do not require to be plunged in the bark-bed; 

 also for pots of strawberries, flowers, &c, in winter and spring for 

 forcing, which being placed near the glasses are generally the most 

 prosperous and successful in their productions. 



Outside, at the back part of the stove, should be erected a neat 

 shed the whole length of the house, completely walled in, to con- 

 tain the fuel, garden pots, &c. &c, and for the convenience of 

 attending the fires and keeping them regularly burning: this shed 

 will answer to defend the back wall of the stove from the cold air 

 and frosts, to stow all garden utensils and tools in when out of use, 

 in order to preserve them from the injuries of the weather: and 

 also to lay quantities of earth in occasionally, to have it dry and 

 ready for use on the various occasions that may occur during winter 

 and spring. 



Some stoves or hot-houses are furnished with top covers to 

 defend the glasses when found necessary from frosts, heavy rains, 

 or hail; sometimes by slight sliding shutters fitted to the width of 

 the separate sashes; but these are inconvenient, and require con- 

 siderable time and trouble in their application; others are formed 

 by painted canvass or tarpaulins being rolled up on long wooden 

 rollers, and fixed lengthways all along the top of the stove, just 

 above the upper ends of the top-glasses, which, by means of lines 

 and pulleys, are let down very quickly, and by the same means are 

 rolled up again almost as expeditiously; these, however, are some- 

 times liable to be moved and dashed about by violent winds, >o as 

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