150 



eight inches width is erected immediately under the 

 sloping rafters in fronts, principally for the purpose of 

 holding strawberry-pots, the fruit of which may be 

 brought to perfection here at any season, with very 

 little trouble. At other times the shelf may be useful 

 in holding Cape bulbs, seedlings, and other dwarf 

 plants. The vine-border is at the back of the house, 

 whereby the site in front is gained for a peach-border, 

 vdthout the vines in anywise interfering with the 

 growth of the peach-trees ; and as vines seldom pro- 

 duce any fruit below the top of the upright rafters, 

 which is the only space occupied by the peach-trees, 

 the space occupied by them is entirely gained in this 

 over the usual arrangement of hothouses. The pave- 

 ment of the gangway is in front of the stage, which 

 allows a space of three feet between the back flue and 

 peach-trellis, elevated eighteen inches above the level 

 of the lobbies, and the same length of the back flue 

 and stage, thus aflbrding an easy command over the 

 stage and peach-trellis, and ascending by two steps at 

 each end. Supposing the house to be now filled with 

 the proper quantity of vines, peaches, and greenhouse 

 plants ; in the autumn, as soon as the vines are ripe, 

 they should be let out of the house, by sliding down 

 the lights, one at a time, in the fore part of a mild 

 day, and the vines fastened carefully to the back wall, 

 there to remain during the winter, or until the time of 

 forcing arrives, when they may be taken in again, ob- 



