548 THE GREEN-HOUSE 



placed that are to support the roof, and to which 

 certain plants may be trained, as noticed in last sec- 

 tion. 



In order to give variety to this kind of conserva- 

 tory, a cistern, of lead, or of masonry, may be pla- 

 ced at each end, or otherwise, as shall be thought 

 more proper, in which to grow aquatic plants ; as 

 nelumbium, nymphsea, menyanthes, pontideria, &c. : 

 thus making it to answer the double purpose of a 

 Conservatory and an Aquarium. 



In a house of this description, the flue being sunk, 

 and being removed from the parapet by an interve- 

 ning border for small plants, it would be right to 

 fit green baize, or other woollen curtains or blinds 

 to the upright lights, the better to insure the safety 

 of the plants in winter. These should be so con- 

 trived as to shade the plants as Httle as possible when 

 undrawn, by being kept tight to the sides by wires, 

 or small rods, if curtains ; or by being rolled close 

 up under the beam, if blinds. In either case, they 

 would be only necessary for two or three months in 

 winter, and so should be contrived to remove at 

 pleasure, that they might be laid aside in the 

 spring. 



Blinds or curtains for the roof-lights would not 

 be necessary, particularly if the house be close gla- 

 zed, and if the laps of the panes be puttied up ; as 

 the heat always floats, and every species of hot-house 

 is warmest at top ; more especially such as rise to a 

 ridge from both sides, as this is supposed to do. 



