652 Summary View of the Progress of Gardening, 



(See our Volume for 1839, p. 614.; and Supplement to Encyclo- 

 pedia of Cottage Architecture, p. 1280.) A greater improvement 

 has not been introduced into hothouse building since these 

 structures were invented, as the splendid house at Chatsworth, 

 where it was first used by Mr. Paxton, affords ample proof. 

 We here repeat our recommendation of this glass, because we 

 are rather surprised that it has not become more generally em- 

 ployed. In this country, where it is so desirable to have covered 

 walks for exercise in wet weather, verandas might be glazed 

 with it, and the arrangement might be such as to combine a 

 conservative wall and border. Even verandas open to the south, 

 and covered with Cubitt's patent roofing, consisting of boards 

 without rafters ; or with young larch or fir trees sawn up the 

 middle, and used without rafters, on Mr. Cubitt's principle (see 

 Supplement to Cottage Architecture, p. 1260.); or with zinc, asphalt, 

 thatch, or reeds ; are very great luxuries, and might be introduced 

 with excellent effect in many places both large and small. A 

 covered way to the kitchen-garden, the stables, or the farm, is 

 often very desirable. 



An economical description of greenhouse or conservatory has 

 always been a desideratum, and we think we can refer to two 

 which well merit imitation. The first is that of Mr. Barratt, 

 in the Wakefield Nursery, noticed in our preceding Volume, 

 p. 570., which is 85 ft. long by 10 ft. 6 in. wide, and cost only 

 170/. ; and the second is one in the Exeter Nursery, which is a 

 model of economical arrangement and appropriate beauty. It 

 is 200 ft. long, 26 ft. wide, 16 ft. high at the centre, and 10 ft. 

 high at the sides, with a span roof formed of sash-bar without 

 rafters, except in two or three places where the roof opens 

 for ventilation. The side walls and ends are of stone. There 

 is a path round the house, within 2 ft. of the walls, which is of 

 gravel; and the edgings to this walk are the small hot-water 

 pipes by which the house is heated. The position of the house 

 is north and south. The whole of the interior is planted with ca- 

 mellias, which are in a state of unsurpassed luxuriance, covered 

 with blossom buds to the ground. The outsides of the walls are 

 used for training fruit trees ; but, if such a house were erected 

 in a private garden, they might be covered with ornamental 

 climbers ; or the roof might be projected so far over the walls as 

 to form a surrounding conservative wall, or as much farther as 

 would constitute a veranda. Such a structure as this, connected 

 with a dwelling-house by a covered way, would be a source of 

 very great interest during winter and spring. What the total 

 expense may have been we do not know, but, considering that 

 there are about 6000 feet of roof, and 17 rods of walling, it can- 

 not much have exceeded 400/., a comparatively small sum for 

 such an immense structure, and one capable of affording so much 



