Jan.] the HOT-HOUSE. 97 
a large pane is pinned down, so as to form some kind of a close 
lap, it presses so hard on the other that one of them, and sometimes 
both crack, which permits the rain to run down frequently on 
plants that too much moisture in the winter season will absolutely 
destroy. As to the upright glasses, in the front and ends, they are 
to be glazed in the ordinary way of house sashes. 
The inside walls should all be well plasteredj the flues must 
also be finished off with the best plastering-mortar that can be 
made, in order to prevent any cracks through which the smoke 
might pass into the house, which cannot be too carefully guarded 
against, as it is extremely injurious to plants, causing them to drop 
their leaves, and if continued long in the house will totally destroy 
them. 
All the wood-work, both within and without, should be painted 
white in oil colour, for its preservation, and to give the whole a 
lively appearance^ and the inside walls and flues whitewashed, so 
as to reflect the rays of light in every direction, which will be of 
very considerable advantage to the plants. 
As to any necessary internal erections, there may be ranges of 
narrow shelves for pots of small plants erected where thought most 
convenient^ some behind over the flues, a single range near the top 
glasses towards the back part, supported either by brackets sus- 
pended from the cross-bars above, or by uprights erected on the 
wall of the bark-pit: a range or two of narrow shelves may also be 
placed occasionally along both ends and in front above the flues; 
all of which shelves will serve for holding pots of various sorts of 
small plants that do not require to be plunged in the bark -bed; 
also for pots of strawberries, flowers, &c., in winter and spring for 
forcing, which being placed near the glasses are generally the most 
prosperous and successful in their productions. 
Outside, at the back part of the stove, should be erected a neat 
shed the whole length of the house, completely walled in, to con- 
tain the fuel, garden pots, &c. &c., and for the convenience of 
attending the fires and keeping them regularly burning: this shed 
will answer to defend the back wall of the stove from the cold air 
and frosts, to stow all garden utensils and tools in when out of use, 
in order to preserve them from the injuries of the weather; and 
also to lay quantities of earth in occasionally, to have it dry and 
ready for use on the various occasions that may occur during winter 
and spring. 
Some stoves or hot-houses are furnished with top covers to 
defend the glasses when found necessary from frosts, heavy rains, 
or hail; sometimes by slight sliding shutters fitted to the width of 
the separate sashes; but these are inconvenient, and require con- 
siderable time and trouble in their application; others are formed 
by painted canvass or tarpaulins being rolled up on long wooden 
rollers, and fixed lengthways all along the top of the stove, just 
above the upper ends of the top-glasses, which, by means of lines 
and pulleys, are let down very quickly, and by the same means are 
rolled up again almost as expeditiously; these, however, are some- 
times liable to be moved and dashed about by violent winds, so as 
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