COMMERCIAL FLORICULTURE.— STRUCTURES. 



280. 



flower at Christmas. An example of such a house is shown in Fig. 1G5. The outside 

 walls are good positions for shallow pits, as shown in the illustration. If these large 

 span-roofed houses, which are from 18 feet to 24 feet in width, are furnished with not less 

 than six rows of 4-inch hot-water pipes, they would answer well for arums during the 

 winter, and also for the growth of palms in G-inch and larger pots. Some of the growers 

 of palms on a large scale have constructed extra large ridge and furrow houses, sup- 

 ported by iron archways under which the pathways are taken. In some instances a 

 single structure covers half-an-acrc or more of ground, with no glazed or other divisions. 

 With arched supports, instead of either single iron standards or walls under the gutter 

 boards, pathways run along where divisions are formed in the older style, and thus 

 economy is effected all round. 



When exposed to much heat and moisture wood of any kind soon perishes, and 



Fig. 165. Lakge S p an-eoof House and Glazed Pit. 



where raised stages are provided, with hot-water pipes underneath, the framework 

 should be of iron, covered with galvanised iron sheets or slates covered with ashes for 

 the pots to stand on. A dry, heated temperature does not suit palms, and they thrive 

 best in large structures, fitted as described, with abundance of moisture about them. 

 Provision ought always to be made for excluding strong light and sun : growers desiring 

 to produce comparatively tall plants quickly and to sell them before the lower leaves are 

 lost. They would thrive well under thick rolled-glass, but this is more expensive than 

 suits the pockets of market-growers, and the ordinary best 21-oz. Belgian glass is 

 usually employed. Blinds are also somewhat expensive, though the best form of 

 shading. If these are employed, they would last much longer if a box along the 

 ridge were provided, under which they could be rolled. In some instances, a frame- 

 VOL. III. p p 



