90 



We do not strictly confine our recommendation to 

 the width mentioned, but it is a convenient width for 

 the reasons named, and rendering each plant easily 

 seen and come-at-able, and the lights are of a conve- 

 nient length. The depth of the space between the 

 summit of the platform and glass, should be about 

 4 feet 6 inches, as it is best at all seasons to have the 

 plants near the glass, and the ventilation could be 

 given to them in hot weather at both back and front, 

 or entirely at front to any extent, which would consi- 

 derably alter the angle of the structure and the 

 power of the sun. This is a system we always prac- 

 tise for a few hours in the very hottest part of the 

 day, which is far preferable to shading. Shading 

 Mr. Barnes never practises, except for a few days 

 slightly for fresh potted suckers, and plants fresh 

 shifted for a day or two, if the weather happens to 

 be fervent, for he considers it against all reason to 

 practise shading to the extent some gardeners do in 

 this comparatively sunless country. 



Where fermenting materials are abundant, and 

 their unsightliness not objectionable, they could 

 also be made use of with considerable benefit, by 

 constructing the outside four-inch walls with pigeon 

 holes, and leaving two or three rows of plug holes in 

 the inside wall, to be opened or stopped when desired. 

 The gasses from kindly worked fermenting materials, 

 says Mr. Barnes, are not to be despised in pine cul- 



