20 



THE GREEN-HOUSE, 



Sect. IV. Constructioyi of the Green-house. 



Our last subject of consideration in this chapter is 

 the construction of the green-house. Formerly, no 

 one thought of employing any other materials than 

 masonry or brick- work, timber, and glass ; lately 

 metals, and chiefly iron and copper, have come much 

 into use for every description of plant habitation. 

 For a green-house or conservatory we have no hesi- 

 tation in giving the preference to metal over wood, 

 as producing a more light, elegant, and durable fabric, 

 and admitting of greater latitude of form and di- 

 mension, than timber. The metal we prefer is mal- 

 leable iron, as the cheapest and strongest ; and we 

 know of no manufacturers of more taste, science, and 

 experience, than Messrs. Bailey of London, already 

 mentioned. A number of green-houses erected by 

 them in the neighbourhood of London, will amply 

 justify our recommendation. 



But though we prefer iron green-houses, we are by 

 no means against the use of wooden ones, which are 

 erected at less expense, and more easily taken to 

 pieces and replaced in the case of a change of plan, 

 or of residence. In the case of large conservatories, 

 indeed, where the roof is moveable, a mixture of 

 timber and iron in the construction (as iron rafters 

 and sash-bars, and timber styles and rails) is pre- 

 ferable to either alone. 



