OF THE VINE. 



37 



I have already observed, that the floor has a fall 

 or descent of six or eight inches inclining to the 

 South ; and here I would recommend, that the 

 surface of the ground upon it should, when finished, 

 be reversed ; that is, that the part at some distance 

 from the Hot-house should be raised five or six 

 inches above the level of the ground immediately 

 adjoining the stove. The ground at each end 

 should also be brought to the same height. In short, 

 the surface of the whole should have an easy fall 

 of two or three inches to a certain point, where a 

 grate should be fixed, to take off the water that 

 falls from the roof of the Hot-house. About the 

 middle of the front wall will be the most conve- 

 nient place for this purpose, as the ground at each 

 end may be raised to have an easy fall into it. The 

 grate must be laid in a groove cut two inches deep 

 in a smooth stone ; and a second groove, one inch 

 and a half deep must be cut round the former. 

 The intent of this latter groove is to receive a 

 board, which must be made to go in and fit very 

 close, so as to afford an opportunity of floating the 

 ground in front occasionally ; but .of this I shall 

 have occasion to speak more at large hereafter. 

 The stone I here speak of must be laid immediately 

 over the drain, adjoining the front wall of the stove, 

 and raised about two feet three inches above 

 the top of the said drain. The ground, including 

 a thin coat of gravel, of about two inches thick, 

 must be laid perfectly even with the top of the 



