INTRODUOTION. 5 
can put up a very creditable and useful structure for about 
half the amount it would cost to have the same thing 
erected in the usual way. Brickwork is certainly rather 
expensive, and it is not everyone who is able to undertake 
this himself, or would care to do so, but a very useful house 
for most ordinary purposes can be constructed with little or 
no brickwork, and even if this is necessary a decent brick- 
layer can usually be found who will run up a couple of low 
side-walls, or the like, for a very moderate sum. 
Almost incredible as it may appear to many, it is, 
however, quite possible, with timber, glass, etc., at their 
present prices, for a man of the class just referred to to 
construct a good, useful, span-roofed or lean-to glass-house 
from 10ft. to 15ft. in width, and of proportionate height, 
properly fitted with ventilators, etc., complete, for the small 
sum of ten shillings (or even less) per foot run, inclusive, 
and also to heat the same in an efficient manner for another 
five or six shillings per lineal foot. This is, of course, 
provided that only a small or moderate amount of cheap, 
unskilled labour only is employed, and that the materials 
are obtained at the lowest, or maker's prices. Good 
sashbar stuff (rafters) already worked, and prepared from 
3in. by ldin. quartering, can be had at almost any 
respectable timber yard for six or seven shillings per 
100ft. (run), and the ‘‘ plates,” ridge, purlines, etc., at 
proportionately low rates. Several well-known firms also 
now make a speciality of the materials (timber, etc., only) 
for a greenhouse of 100ft. long by 10ft. or 12ft. in width, all 
ready for cutting up and fitting, with door, ventilators, etc., 
for the small sum of £9 or £10, and other sizes in 
proportion. How to construct one, or more, of such 
