CROPS, METHODS, MANAGEMENT 39 



in the year by the protection of glass and the storage of 

 the sun's rays is surprising to the inexperienced. From 

 the seller's point of view it is important to have his 

 produce in the markets as early as possible, and with 

 many crops, if a week or two can be gained in advance 

 of outdoor produce in bulk, the prices are often more 

 remunerative than where a much heavier expenditure 

 has been incurred for heating apparatus and fuel to 

 secure their crops extra early. In this way wooden 

 frames with movable glass lights, hand frames or lights 

 of various forms, bell-glasses, and the French " cloches," 

 are also utilised to good purpose, both for the protection 

 of tender plants placed out of doors, and for forward- 

 ing their development. Thousands of tons of grapes, 

 cucumbers, and tomatoes have been grown for market 

 in England in unheated glass houses ; the chief difficulty 

 has been the utilisation of such houses in the winter 

 months. With the help of moderate heating power they 

 are available for many purposes, and with the improved 

 forms of economical boilers now obtainable the expendi- 

 ture is judicious if the means are at command. In the 

 southern parts of the kingdom, and places at a distance 

 from the coal-fields, the cost of fuel is a heavy item, 

 whatever form is used, but it is less serious for growers in 

 a position to buy in quantities during the summer months, 

 or who can secure contracts for coke supply over a long 

 period. 



Span-roof houses are generally preferred, and they are 

 erected now with much more spacious dimensions as 

 regards width and height than formerly, with the rafters 

 farther apart, and consequently larger sheets of glass are 

 used. The objects are obvious a larger body of air is 

 enclosed, and there is freer exposure to the sun's in- 

 fluence, while greater roof space is provided for anything 

 trained inside. If walls are available of sufficient height, 

 and with a southerly aspect, lean-to houses, or those 



