262 FOECmG-HOUSES FOE VEGETABLES. 



with a grate placed near the bottom, and an opening 

 below to give draft, are very serviceable. Some 

 shavings and Tobacco stems are pnt into the fur- 

 naces, which are placed in different parts of the 

 houses, then lighted, and the work is very soon ac- 

 complished. • To prevent the Tobacco from burning 

 too fast a cover is placed on each furnace ; this checks 

 the draft and increases the quantity of smoke. 



As stated in the chapter on Hot-Beds, the curled 

 varieties of Lettiice will not answer for forcing. The 

 most reliable kinds for this purpose are the Tennis 

 Ball and Boston Head, or White-seeded Butter 

 Lettuce. 



In planting three or four houses with Lettuce it 

 is advisable not to plant the whole at the same time ; 

 it will be better to have some difference in the date 

 of ripening. 



The space under the tables can be used in grow- 

 ing Khubarb, for which there is a demand, early in 

 the season, at high prices. Chives can also be forced 

 in the same way, or, better still, they can be put into 

 thumb-pots and set on the ground under the tables. 



Asparagus can be forced in these houses, with 

 more economy than in hot-beds, from roots five or six 

 years old. Also, Strawberries will do well, if plant- 

 ed on the tables, at any time during the Winter, 

 eight inches apart each way. In conclusion, any 

 kind of " stuff " that can be grown in a hot-bed or 

 green-house, can also be grown in these forcings 

 houses. 



