CHAPTER XXVII 



CONSTRUCTION OF FRUIT HOUSES 

 By a. DONALD MACKENZIE 



The Vinery. — In fixing upon the shape, as well as the site of a vinery, local 

 circumstances must be taken into consideration, and must decide whether it is 

 made lean-to, semi-span, or full span. If there is an existing wall of sufficient 

 height and of good aspect the lean-to will, of course, be most suitable. 

 Although there is no fixed width for a vinery, it is very desirable that it should 

 be of a good width, that is, it ought not to be under 15 feet, and nearer 20 feet 

 if this can be managed. A very fair size is 18 feet, and with a back wall of 

 say 17 feet, will give a rafter of 22 feet with 4 feet in front. 



Stability. — In the construction of such a vinery details must, of necessity, 

 be left largely in the builder's hands, but there are certain things which ought 

 to be considered essential. First, the stability of the structure. A 22 feet 

 rafter of the ordinary section, say 7 by 2^ inches, must be supported, or it will 

 sag very badly. This support may be given by upright pillars under each 

 alternate rafter, with a strong angle-iron running the whole length from end to 

 end, supported by the pillars. Another method is by having strong cast-iron 

 brackets at the bottom of each rafter bolted to the front framework, and a similar 

 bracket at the top bolted to the back wall. This latter makes a very substantial 

 roof, and is quite in accordance with sound construction. 



Ventilation. — Another essential matter is the ventilation. No matter 

 what the size or the shape may be, a vinery should have full ventilation top 

 and bottom, with means of controlling the inflow and outflow. Both bottom 

 and top ventilation should extend continuously from end to end. In the front 

 the opening sashes should be hinged at the top to open outwards that the cold 

 air may impinge on the hot pipes. When the sashes are on centre points the 

 cold air gets in at the top and bottom simultaneously, which may injuriously 

 affect the lower portion of the vine, especially when the house is an early one. 

 Similarly the top ventilation should be hinged at the top to open i inch or 

 I foot, as may be required. This should be done both top and bottom by 

 suitable gearing worked by a wheel or lever, and should be very substantial and 

 not easily put out of order. 



Trellis. — The wiring of vineries has developed in the direction of the wires 

 being kept further and further away from the glass. Forty years ago the 

 ordinary distance was 10 to 14 inches ; later, this was increased to 16 inches ; 

 now many of the best gardeners prefer to have the wiring 24 to 30 inches from 



the glass, the reason given being that the vine leaves are less apt to get scorched 



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