and Forcitig- Department at Syon. 513 



We must not omit to record the names of the manufacturers 

 of these houses, Messrs. Richards and Jones, of Cheapside, 

 Birmingham ; they have evinced great ingenuity and practical 

 skill in their construction, and will, we have no doubt, obtain 

 the reward due to so much merit. We are inclined to think 

 that some of the details of the rafters and sashes are improved 

 on in the range now erecting for the Duke of Bedford at 

 Woburn Abbey ; but we shall wait till we see that range com- 

 pleted, and then, with His Grace the Duke of Bedford's per- 

 mission, give an account of it similar to that now submitted. It 

 is not to be considered surprising if improvements are intro- 

 duced in a mode of construction comparatively new. The 

 system of heating by hot water is undergoing astonishing im- 

 provements almost every day. 



Those who know our preference for curvilinear iron hot- 

 houses wall ask whether we should not have preferred the 

 forcing-range at Syon constructed on that principle. Our 

 decided answer is, that we should, on account of the light- 

 ness and elegance it imparts. We are not certain, how- 

 ever, that something would not have been lost in point of 

 utility, at least for vineries and peach-houses, from the diffi- 

 culty of constructing the roof so as to admit of the opening 

 and shutting of the sloping part at pleasure, and of its removal 

 altogether after the crop is gathered. If it can be proved that 

 peaches and grapes may be grown and forced without the 

 direct influence of the sun and the weather to the leaves and 

 wood of the plants at any season of the year, then we decidedly 

 prefer curvilinear houses for them; and as they are constructed 

 without rafters, styles, rails, pulleys, cords, &c., they must, of 

 course, come cheaper: but if the direct influence of the 

 weather is essential, and we believe the majority of practical 

 men think so, then we should prefer such houses as those 

 erected at Syon and Woburn, heated by hot water according 

 to the latest improvement by Mr. Weekes (see p. 544.), 

 shaded during hot sunshine by a canvass blind in Mr. For- 

 rest's manner, and covered during the nights of severe weather 

 by garden shutters or straw mats in the manner of Mr. 

 Shennan (Vol. III. p. 187.) and M. Lindegaard (Vol. IV. 

 p. 4 14.). 



When the magnificent range of botanical hot-houses now 

 erecting at Syon are completed, we hope, with His Excellency 

 the Duke of Northumberland's permission, to lay a similar 

 account of it before our readers : at present that range is not * 

 permitted to be seen by the public. 



Vol. v. — No. 22. ll 



