54 CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



noticed that the amount of space not wanted for growth 

 is reduced to a minimum, simply a walk, and room for 

 the head. In such a snug house, there is no lofty space 

 on which to expend heat. Of more importance still, the 

 conditions of success are under such easy control, and 

 the cuttings are so near to the glass, that there will be no 

 need whatever of bell-glasses, or a second set of sashes. 

 The house is close, genial, and humid enough for all ordi- 

 nary propagation. This is a great gain, saving in mate- 

 rial and in labor, and keeping the cuttings in clear sight, 

 so that their exact condition may always be obvious. 

 The letters a, a, indicate the tank resting upon brick 

 piers ; i, i, being the ground-line. The water flows in at 

 the pipe, #, and, flowing completely round the house, 

 enters the boiler through the return-pipe, c. The flue, /, 

 runs the length of the house, and back of the tank. The 

 tables, #, g, are composed of slate for the sake of dura- 

 bility, and also because this material will secure a better 

 bottom-heat than boards, which are poor conductors of 

 heat. These tables are three feet wide, three inches 

 above the tank, and a foot below the lower edge of glass. 

 This gives room for a bed of sand three to four inches 

 deep, and sufficient working and growing space. On each 

 side of the walk, A, are sliding shutters, d, d, one of which 



