DESCRIPTION OF HOTHOUSES. 127 



sun, therefore solid iron uprights, of a round 

 form, are generally to be preferred, and if about 

 three inches in diameter, they will be of sufficient 

 strength to support the largest rafters required ; 

 — if well fixed at the bottom and top, and per-: 

 fectly upright, and being painted will not dis- 

 figure the house. 



Although I have stated thus much as a 

 general outline about the e.xternal formation of 

 the hothouse, I beg to remark, that if not 

 absolutely necessary, it is highly desirable, to 

 employ persons for such works, who have been 

 accustomed to hothouse building, otherwise it 

 ought to be under the superintendence of the 

 experienced gardener, in order to prevent the 

 house from being badly constructed, which after- 

 wards proves injurious to the crops, and fre- 

 quently causes much inconvenience and disap- 

 pointment ; but the best guarantee is to employ 

 a practical horticultural surveyor, whose judg- 

 ment and probity can be relied upon. 



The internal part of the hothouse arrange- 

 ments will also require care and judgment. In 

 the first place, the flues, which must range in a 



