August 22, 1S72. ] 



JOURNAL OF HOETICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEB. 



147 



diffused is the air in this system of building, that every piece of 

 glass has its separate quotum of air opening immediately under 

 it : and all the openings being immediately under control, 

 wherever the sun may shine hottest, there air may at once be 

 admitted through the ventilation-plate, to curl up along the 

 inner surface of the heated glass. 



"As all the ventilation openings are in horizontal positions, 

 ■well sheltered by the overhanging wood and glass, the venti- 

 lation of the houses can go on as well in wet weather as in dry 

 All vertical openings in roofs have the great disadvantage of ad- 

 mitting rain as well as ail', and in wet weather houses so made 

 are subject to one of two evils — either a close and poisonous at- 



Kichardson's Span-roofed House. 



oiosphere, or water everywhere. By recent improvements in 

 the ventilation-plates of these patented buildings, even the 

 most driving storm is wholly prevented finding its way through 

 the perforations, even though the buildings stand in the most 

 exposed situations." 



^.-Passing from Messrs. Cranston & Luck's stand we came nest 

 to that of Messrs. Dennis & Co., Anchor Works, Chelmsford, 

 who exhibited a wrought-iron ornamental span-roofed con- 

 servatory, which had too many cross-ties and iron connecting- 

 rods to please the eye, though as the construction of the house 

 was light they were most probably necessary. The same firm 

 also exhibited a villa greenhouse, and a small amateur green- 

 house to be erected as a lean-to against a low wall, at the cost, 

 not including walls or fixing, of £5. The material was wrought 

 iron, and the house would be very serviceable for those who 

 wished to put up a smaU house at a slight expense. 



Parham's Glass "Walls. 



Stand 67. — Mr. Perry, of Banbury, exhibited a span-roofed 

 house of good shape, but we do not like the introduction of 

 strong, old-fashioned lead bars. 



Near to this was erected stand No. 61, by Mr. Bickley, Small- 

 brook Street, Birmingham, which we thought a good serviceable 

 house, and as cheap for the price as any exhibited. 



The next stand we came to was that of Messrs. W. Richardson 

 and Co., of Darlington, who exhibited two very good and useful 

 houses, one a lean-to 40 feet by 12, for £77 ; another a span- 

 roofed, 30 feet by 15, for £92. They were fitted-up with their 

 patent system of ventilation, of which we append the patentees' 

 description : — 



" The patent system of ventilation is effected, as herein 

 shown, by narrow openings in the roof (about 9 inches wide), 

 the full length of the lights from top to bottom, and from 4 to 

 5 feet apart, covered with glazed frames made perfectly weather- 

 tight with grooves up the sides, fitting down 

 on to galvanised iron tongues; these frames 

 are 4 inches wider than the opening they cover, 

 and when lifted are clear above the fixed lights, 

 leaving an open space at both sides as large or 

 as small as may be desired, thus allowing a free 

 and even circulation of air throughout the 

 house, and at the same time protecting the in- 

 terior effectually from rain, wind, or a direct 

 down-draught upon the plants. These venti- 

 lating roof-lights are made in either one or two 

 parts, each separate set or range from one end 

 of the house to the other being simultaneously • 

 opened and regulated by a single handle placed 

 in the most convenient position, and balanced 

 in such a way as to be easily worked by a lady. 

 Any ventilating light can, if desired, be thrown 

 out of gear, so as not to open with the rest, or 

 it may be lifted entirely off for glazing without 

 the removal of screws. 



"In the houses with front lights, bottom ven- 

 tilation is obtained by wood-panelled doors or 

 flaps along the full length, and about 8 inches 

 wide, these also opening and being regulated by 

 a single handle to each range, and affording 

 complete protection from the weather ; the air is 

 thus admitted below the level of any foliage and 

 immediately over the hot- water pipes, by which 

 it is slightly tempered on entering the house." 



This method of ventilating under the staging 

 is, in our opinion, preferable to the system of 

 opening the whole front lights by means of 

 levers and cranks, which brings the cold air 

 direct on the plants. 



The next stand was one from Mr. Parham, 

 of Bath, containing different forms of glass 

 houses, wall-fruit protectors, glass walls, patent 



