LONDON. 515 



a J inch lead-pipe, having numerous small perforations, is 

 carried along the middle of the roof-glass : it is connected 

 with an elevated cistern, and by turning a cock, this pipe 

 waters the plants after the manner of natural rain. In the 

 palm-house the surface of the flower-pots and tubs is cover- 

 ed with hypnum, to prevent the earth being spattered about 

 by the falling shower. Messrs Loddiges have not a great 

 extent of ground, their whole attention being devoted to the 

 cultivation of fine and rare exotics. In this pursuit, no 

 expence appears to be spared, and they are most successful 

 cultivators. I was in Mr Loddiges"' grounds about 30 

 years ago, when he had only one small glazed house ; but 

 even at that time he excelled all in the propagation of Ame- 

 rican plants. Mr Loddiges senior is now far advanced in 

 years ; but his son Mr George Loddiges seems to possess all 

 his zeal for plants, with greatly increased means of gratify- 

 ing it. 



ployed for supports being iron. The roof is of a curvilinear form, as recom- 

 mended by Mr Loudon of Bayswater. This new conservatory is situate 

 against the range of green-houses which face towards the south ; consequently 

 it has its front to the northward. It rises six feet higher than the back-wall 

 of the green-houses, and this space affords an opportunity of ventilating the 

 house, by means of a row of opening sash-windows at the back. The house 

 is no less than 120 feet long, 23 wide, and 18 high. The sash-bars are of 

 wrought-iron : these are inserted into a kirb or coping-plate of cast-iron on 

 the front-wall, and into a rail at the back, also composed of cast-iron. This 

 rail is supported by strong standards, and between these the ventilating sash- 

 windows above mentioned are hung. The curved roof-bars are continued 

 from one end of the conservatory to the other ; and being naturally strong, 

 and every where forming parts of an arch, the necessity of wide rafters, sash- 

 frames and supports, is superseded. In this way is avoided the degree of 

 shade necessarily produced by those parts in a nouse constructed with wood. 

 The whole roof thus presents the appearance of a vast sheet of glass. This 

 very remarkable conservatory has been described and figured by Messrs 

 Loddiges, in one of the numbers of their " Botanical Cabinet." It is chiefly 

 destined for receiving their vast collection of Camellias..— N. 



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