518 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



enclosure by themselves, and not unfrequently are placed in 

 the flower or pleasure-garden, as at Sommerly, the seat of 

 II. Baring, Esq., M. P., in which latter instance, the effect is 

 good. However, it must be admitted, that the most conve- 

 nient situation for them is the kitchen-garden, as the opera- 

 tions carried on, are in both more intimately connected. Such 

 structures are generally placed against the garden-walls in a 

 continued range, and are usually built on the ground-level of 

 the garden. Some instances occur, where the houses are scat- 

 tered about in different parts of the garden ; but to this it has 

 been objected, that they are much less conveniently attended 

 to, and })roducc an appearance of confusion, by breaking in 

 upon the regular quarters, and presenting tlieir back-walls, 

 which, however v,ell covered they may be, have no inviting 

 appearance. Houses in short ranges are more convenient for 

 the operators in attending to them, and when seen from a 

 proper point on entering the garden, produce a good effect. 

 Where the soil is damp, there can be no objection to have 

 the floor-level of the hot-houses elevated above the garden- 

 level, by which the roots of the trees will be completely se- 

 cured from under-damp, and, if not too much elevated, the 

 houses will have a bolder effect. In long continued ranges, 

 we have found it extremely inconvenient when they are closely 

 connected, and therefore we prefer the mode exemplified by 

 that eminent architect, \\'. Atkinson, Esq. in many flrst-rate 

 gardens, by leaving a convenient space between each division 

 or raufje. 



MATERIALS OF WHICH HOT-HOUSES SHOULD BE FORMED. 



About the beginning of the present century, in consequence 

 of the high price of timber, various sorts of metallic substances 

 were brought into notice as substitutes for wood. The chief 

 advantages of metallic houses are stated to be, di/rabintt/, 

 elegance, and lightness. The first of which is very doubtful ; 

 the second, a matter of taste only, as numerous instances occur 

 of hot-houses which are built of wood bein£j as elcirant, and as 

 neatly fitted up, as any that have been erected of metal; and the 

 third, unimportant, inasmuch as the houses hitherto constructed 



