Fig. |—The lean-to greenhouse 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
Fig. 2—The even-span greenhouse 
November, 1911 
ame 7 cn, am mee 
3—Three quarter-span greenhouse 
Fig. 
Building a Small Greenhouse 
Practical Instructions and Plans for Erecting Greenhouses of Moderate Size for Small Country Places 
and Estates 
By Philip S. Sweetser 
T IS doubtful if there exists a more inter- 
esting or more enjoyable occupation, or one 
that gives more complete satisfaction in its 
success, than that of growing plants and 
flowers under glass. The amateur, how- 
ever, often hesitates to take up such an oc- 
cupation on account of the expense involved in the con- 
struction of a greenhouse. 
If the work is done by a contractor or a professional 
greenhouse builder, it is true that glass house construction 
is more or less expensive. But since the cost of labor is 
one of the largest items entering into the total cost of such 
a house, the amateur who can do his own construction work 
will find that a greenhouse is by no means an “expensive 
luxury.” 
The task of constructing a greenhouse is not a difficult 
one, but it does require some knowledge of greenhouse de- 
sign and construction. A house in which plants and flowers 
can be successfully grown at a minimum cost should be so 
constructed that the framework will cast the least possible 
amount of shadow; that the area under the glass can be 
utilized to the best advantage; that it can be properly 
heated; and that it can be properly ventilated. The 
amateur with a little mechanical ability can easily construct 
such a house, however, if he can obtain the necessary in- 
formation and data. 
At the present time literature on the subject is very 
meager. What little exists is somewhat out of date and 
not at all comprehensive. In order to obtain information 
and data it is necessary to make an investigation of the 
subject by visiting greenhouses and by consulting florists 
and experienced greenhouse carpenters; which task con- 
sumes a large amount of time and requires more or less 
skill in judging the relative merits of the various types of 
construction, the various methods of framing and the 
Fig. 4—Corner framing 
Fig. 5—Corner framing 
various opinions of the florists and greenhouse carpenters. 
It is therefore the purpose of this article to give, in as 
concise a manner as possible, such information and data 
as are necessary in order to enable the amateur to properly 
design and construct a greenhouse. ‘The article is the result 
not only of an investigation made by the writer, but also 
of his experience in recently constructing a house for his 
own use. The details of construction discussed apply to 
an all-wood structure and in general to the small green- 
house built for private use. ‘The suggestions, however, 
apply equally well to the large house built for profitable 
operation, for the dimensions of the framing timbers given 
and the methods of framing described are exactly the same 
as those used on a number of the best houses operated by 
successful florists. A discussion of the purlines, or sup- 
ports for the roof sash bars, which are necessary on wide 
roof spans, is the only detail which has been omitted. 
The construction of a greenhouse involves a considera- 
tion of types of houses—location, foundation, framework, 
glass, benches, and heating system. 
TYPES OF HOUSES 
There are three general types of greenhouses, namely, 
the lean-to, the even-span, and the three quarter-span house. 
There are other types, such as side-hill, ridge and furrow, 
and curvilinear houses, but these are simply modifications 
or combinations of the three general types. The details of 
construction are practically the same in all three types. 
They differ only in the form of construction. 
THE LEAN-TO 
The simplest type is the lean-to, an example of which is 
shown in Figure 1. From the nature of its construction 
this type of house can be built at a comparatively low cost. 
As its name indicates, it is built against some structure and 
therefore requires but three sides and a one-slope roof. It 
is usually a small house and when heated is generally con- 
RTD 
