310 



Remarks on Mr. Billingtori 's Plan for 



The elevation of the large conservatory has rather an im- 

 posing effect: but, when we consider what it would be when 

 erected, we find it very defective. In the first place, the site is 

 very bad, being fixed in the highest and most exposed situation 

 in the whole ground, and so as to face a few degrees more west 

 than south, a point from which we have the most prevalent 

 high winds, and this without the least shelter, no provision 

 being made for it in the plan. We infer from the ground plan, 

 that the two end conservatories project from the general or 

 straight range of houses about 13 yards, and the centre con- 

 servatory about 23 yards. Now, these appendages, with their 



Ground Plan of the Conservatories appropriated to Birds and Tropical fruiting Plants. 



8, Large conservatory for palms, &c. 



9, 10, Conservatories appropriated to the plants of temperate climates, with birds intermixed, and 



and to be enclosed with movable sashes if required.' 

 11, 12, Conservatories appropriated to tropical fruiting plants. 



lofty domes, must appear prodigiously heavy, and overbalancing 

 what ought to be the principal range, and of which, they ought 

 only to form parts, instead of which we have here, if I may so 

 speak, all parts, and no principal. Now, were the three conser- 

 vatories placed in the range, so as to stand in advance on both 

 sides, in equal proportion to what the diameter is more in 

 breadth than the width of the straight range, the whole would 

 appear, I think, architectural and pleasing. 



In speaking of the plan of these structures with reference to 

 its utility, we find it not less faulty; for, owing to the centre and 

 two ends projecting out so much (13 and 23 yards), together 

 with their great height, the sun's rays must undoubtedly be 

 kept off from the long range of houses between the domes the 

 greatest part of the day, which is quite contrary to the general 

 rule of obtaining all the sun possible, in order that the plants in 

 the winter months may receive its benefits. 



I shall next point out a few of the principal defects in the 

 plan for laying out the grounds, leaving the minor parts un- 

 noticed, for these would be readier explained by comparing the 

 plan j%-. 69. with the one I am now criticising (Jig. 61.). In the 



