422 



PLANT-HOUSES. 



more shelves are placed across the win- 

 dow, which, with the sill, are covered with 

 plants in pots. A roof of glass is hinged 

 to the window-frame, at any convenient 

 height; for it should here be remarked 

 that windows on the Continent are, in 

 general, much higher and broader than 

 with us ; if, for example, (as shown in the 

 diagram,) the frame extends three parts of 

 the way up, sufficient light is admitted 

 into the room. These sloping roofs fall 

 down upon a stone or wooden front, either 

 solid or filled with glass, as seen in fig. 

 577, and are opened and shut for ventila- 

 tion by raising up the bottom part of the 

 roof, and securing it at any point of ele- 

 vation desired, by the curved handle b. 

 The plants are watered and arranged 

 from the room within, as the windows 

 are hung on hinges, in two parts, and do 

 not generally run up and down, as with 

 us. 



In cases where the sloping roof extends 

 to the top of the window, as is sometimes 

 the case, the window being thrown open, 

 the owner can enjoy their fragrance and 

 beauty, while the plants are not subjected 

 to the dust, heat, and dry air of the room, 

 and, with the large squares of glass used, 

 they lose little of their effect, even when 

 the window is shut altogether. 



Fig. 578 is another example of the same 

 kind of window garden, placed opposite 



Fig. 578. 



the centre window of a drawing-room, and 

 extending considerably beyond the breadth 

 of the window on both sides. It is sup- 

 ported on highly ornamental metallic 

 brackets, and the bottom part, in which 

 the pots are set, or plants planted in, is of 

 stone, slate, cast-iron, or wood — the three 

 first, of course, the most durable — as this 

 part of the case is kept constantly wet. It 

 should rise to the level of the window-sill, 

 but no higher ; indeed, a few inches lower 

 would be no disadvantage. Large panes 



of glass are used both for the front, ends, 

 and top — one or more of them may be 

 made to open for ventilation ; the wall of 

 the house and the casement of the win- 

 dow serve for the back. The operation of 

 arranging the plants is, of course, to be 

 performed from the room within by open- 

 ing the window. 



Fig. 579 is the same kind of case 



adapted to a single window ; the ventila- 

 Fig. 579. 



Fig. 580. 



tion, although shown in front, may be 

 better if placed in the ends. 



Again, where double windows are used, 

 and more especially where the outer 

 window projects beyond the wall of the 

 house, great accommodation is obtained 

 for the keeping of plants. When these 

 window gardens upon the last prin- 

 ciple are made to project for 2 or 3 

 feet beyond the wall, as 

 shown in section, fig. 

 580, the ends should be 

 of glass also, and in them 

 the ventilators should 

 be placed. Windows 

 facing the full sun 

 should, in summer, be 

 provided with an awn- 

 ing, to shade the plants 

 during intense sunshine. 

 This will prolong the 

 season of flowering con- 

 siderably; while a thick- 

 er covering substituted 

 during winter will ex- 

 clude the cold in ordi- 

 nary weather ; and a tea-urn, or similar 

 vessel, replenished with hot water, or 

 an iron heater dropped into it in the 



