Hothouses^ Pits, 8fc. qq'j 



the other. The panes must be cut so as that they do not fit too 

 tightly against the sash-bar (a point too frequently neglected 

 by some glaziers) ; they should have room left for the bars or 

 ribs to svv^ell and expand. Before a light is glazed, all the 

 panes should be laid in loose, to see that they lie even and quite 

 flat, as well as range one with the other; and, when that is done, 

 the panes must be taken out, and some well worked putty laid in 

 the rabbet ; the panes must then be replaced and pressed firmly 

 down, and the bottom pane bedded in the putty so as not to 

 leave a vacuity. 



In the spring of 1838, we had, at this place, occasion to re- 

 build two old metallic vineries; they were rebuilt with cast iron 

 by Messrs. Barwell & Co. of the Eagle Foundery, Northampton. 

 * They were glazed with panes 4| in. by 3 in. deep, with selected 

 and perfectly flat glass, direct from the glass-house, packed in 

 boxes that contained about 500 panes in each box, and put in 

 by the glaziers as I have described above. 



The houses are heated by flat hot-water pipes. There are three 

 lights in a range upon the roof; the two bottom ranges, and the 

 corner ones of the top range, are secured down with pins and 

 putty : all the other top lights are movable, and managed by a 

 windlass. The front sashes are hung upon hinges, and all open 

 outwards. We can give what air we wish by a rod of iron 

 attached to the sash, with holes in it ; and in the sill there is a 

 pin to fasten the rod to. One corner is taken off each sash for 

 the purpose of taking in or out vines when required. There is 

 a piece of cast iron to fit into the corner of the sash, which is 

 fastened by two screw nuts, to keep the stem of the vine in its 

 place. The doors are made of wood, as they are easier kept in 

 order than iron ones, and much lighter to open. The roof of 

 these two houses contains about 92] 6 panes; the two ends and 

 partition, 1579 panes; and the front sashes, 1920 panes; with 

 three doors that contain each 20 panes 5 in. wide by 7 in. deep, 

 making a total of 12,775 panes. From the spring of 1838 to 

 the present time (Oct. 1841), there have only been 10 panes 

 broken in the roof by the frost, &c., and 12 in other parts by 

 accidents. This house requires shading in hot clear weather. 



In November, 1838, several of our lights were thrown off a 

 pine-pit by a strong gale of wind, and several panes broken ; 

 but one light was so very much broken, that I had it reglazed 

 with panes 7 in. wide by 4-^ in. deep, and the lap ^ in., and 

 glazed, in other respects, as I have recommended above. 

 The light is 8 ft. long by 4 ft. wide ; it contains 132 panes, and 

 is in constant use, being a bottom light ; having pots of kidney- 

 beans placed upon the flue all the autumn, winter, and spring. 

 The lights are frequently moved, and consequently liable to 

 accidents. There have only been two panes split by the frost, 

 1841. — XII. 3cl Ser. r r 



