460 



Construction of Melon, Pine, and Plant Pits. 



in with suitable material. It may either be heated by hot-air 

 flues or hot water, and the pipes supported on 4^-inch piers, as in 

 the pine-pit. The roof is at an angle of 18° to the horizon. I 

 am thus particular in stating that the degrees are taken from 

 the level, because gardeners, in general, reckon from the upright, 

 which is decidedly wrong ; because it makes this paradox, that, 

 the lower the pitch, the greater the number of degrees, and vice 

 versa; or, the greater the pitch in reality, the less the number 

 of degrees in name. This last pit, with the interior altered, 

 would be very suitable for vines, &c, in their first and second 

 stage, and likewise for early strawberries, &c. I would not 

 wholly abandon from the forcing department wooden frames ; for 

 one or two, suitable to the lights of other pits, might be useful 

 to meet contingencies, and for forcing early common things, 

 such as mushrooms, lettuce, radishes, &c. : but good substantial 

 brick pits are the best for plants of importance, and the cheapest 

 in the long run. Fig. 45. is one of the lights of the plant-pit; 

 Jig. 46., a section of the bearer and lights; fig. 47., upper view 

 of bearer, dove-tailed into the plating ;Jig. 48., a section of the 



( 



Fig. 46. Section of the 

 Bearer and Lights. 



Fig. 48. Section of the End 

 Plate of the Plant-Pit. 



Fig. 47. Upper View of Sash-Bearer, 

 dovetailed into the Wall-Plate. 



Fig. 49. Section of the 

 Sash-Bar. 



Fig. 45. One of the 

 Lights of ihePlant- 

 Pit,flg- 44. 



end plate, &c. ; and Jig. 49. a section of the bar. These four 

 latter figures are quarter the full size, and are given here that 

 gardeners may have their pits built without any further drawings. 

 When the lights are longer than Jig. 45., they should have an 

 iron strengthening rod across the bars ; and they should measure 

 exactly 3 ft. b\ in. wide (for then each space will admit of 6-inch 

 glass), \\ in. thick, and the styles 2 in. wide at top and sides, and 

 3 in. at the bottom. The plates should be made of chestnut, 

 the bearers of Memel timber, and the lights of red deal. 



An idea has just occurred to me, with regard to airing pits, 

 which I here offer as a hint to be improved on. We frequently 

 see flower-pots, pieces of wood, &c, put under frames to hold 



