320 VO RC I N( J I) E P A KT iM E N T. 



COMPARATIVE COST. 



It is objected that metallic houses are much more 

 expensive, at first cost, than wooden ones ; unques- 

 tionably, a superior article is always higher than an 

 inferior one ; but, in the erection of a range of Hot- 

 Houses, I do not consider the difference of expense 

 such as should deter any Nobleman or Gentleman 

 from adopting the former, in preference to the latter, 

 especially if durability and elegance of appearance 

 be any object of consideration. Wood houses, con- 

 structed with green, or unseasoned timber, and 

 inferior workmanship,, may, undoubtedly, be put up 

 at a very trifling expense indeed, as well as metallic 

 roofs of slight materials, and imperfect workmanship. 

 The principal advantages which metallic roofs, when 

 properly executed, have, in my opinion, over wooden 

 ones, is their decidedly greater durability, and the 

 admission of more sun and light to the plants in the 

 Winter and Spring months. The durability of me- 

 tallic substances in Hot-House Roofs, is, in fact, no 

 theoretic question ; it has been proved, beyond a 

 doubt, in practice. There are, at present, in the 

 Woburn Gardens, 12 large lights, each consisting of 

 45 feet of glass, in the form of inverted vases, which 

 were originally made for the forcing of Vines ; and the 

 whole have been constantly exposed to the weather 

 for nearly forty years ; the bars of these lights are 

 composed of copper ; and, during that period, they 

 have not had above three coats of paint, and are still 



