1871. "I 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
301 
Rustic Bridges. • 
Where there is a stream of water in public 
or private grounds, an opportunity is offered 
for introducing a pleasing ornamental feature 
The bridge we have figured was exhibited at 
the International Exposition of Horticulture, 
that was held at St. Petersburgh, Russia, in 
1869, and attracted much attention; it was 
first engraved in L'lllustratiou Horticole. 
we proceed to give, will enable any car- 
penter of ordinary intelligence to construct it. 
Many of them will no doubt object to the di- 
mensions of the rafters, thickness of the sashes, 
etc., as it is a besetting fault with these men 
RUSTIC BKIDOE, SHOWN AT THE INTERNATIONAL HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION AT 
ST. l'ETEICSBURG. 
in the shape of a bridge. A structure of this 
kind may be very simple and cheap, or highly 
elaborate and expensive, according to the 
tastes and means of the proprietor. It is only 
in places which are highly embellished that an 
expensive structure will be in keeping with its 
surroundings, while in 
most all situations a 
rustic bridge is in good 
taste. A rustic bridge 
may bo made very- 
elaborate in its work- 
manship, or it may be ex- 
ceedingly simple. Some 
examples of costly struc- 
tures of this kind may 
be seen at Central Park. 
We present an engrav- 
ing of a very simple one, 
which is not only pleas- 
Fig. 3. — a, Locust Post; ing in its appearance, 
6, Plate ; c, Rafter ; d, u ut its construction is 
Sash; e, Weather- sucll as t0 ren dei- it 
hoarding. substantial and perma- 
nent. The engraving shows the structure so 
plainly that no description is needed. It will 
be seen that it is self-supporting. In bridges of 
all kinds every care should be taken to make 
the abutments secure and the approaches laid 
in a substantial manner. The railing in the 
How to Build a Cheap Greenhouse. 
BT JAMES HOGG. 
Tig. 3.— SECTION OF GREENHOUSE. 
bridge here given is exceedingly plain. It can 
be made much more ornamental by the intro- 
duction of rustic panels, and some vines trained 
along it would add greatly to the rustic effect. 
The plans which we give are intended for a 
small greenhouse suitable for an ordinary coun- 
try residence where no regu- 
lar gardener is kept, and 
where the care of such an 
appendage to the house 
would devolve upon the 
family. Such a greenhouse 
can be built separate from 
the dwelling, and a shed at 
tached to the northerly end 
for the purposes of a potting 
shed, the storage of tools, 
etc., but as drawn it is in- 
tended to be attached to the 
dwelling, and entered there- 
from by means of a door 
from one of the rooms. This 
we consider preferable to 
having it detached, as it is 
accessible and enjoyable in 
all weathers, and if the en- 
trance door from the house is glazed it renders 
the room to which it adjoins remarkably cheer- 
ful and elegant. We prefer a double-pitched 
roof for such a greenhouse, to a lean-to, or single 
pitch, as it gets the benefit of the early morning 
and latest evening sun, an 
item of much importance in 
growing plants, and escapes 
the intenser heat of the 
noon-day sun (which in 
March and April is very 
great), as the end is per- 
pendicular, the side of the 
roof being at an angle of 
forty-five degrees. Besides 
these benefits, plants grow 
better in such houses, be- 
cause they have more light 
on every side, and conse- 
quently are not liable to be- 
come so drawn and one- 
sided as they are in a lean-to. 
The proper exposure is 
southerly, that is, with the 
end facing any of the south- 
erly points of the compass, 
from W.S.W. to S.E. ; if any 
preference can be given in 
locating it, it should be given to the easterly 
points, as it enables it. to receive more of the 
early sun during the shortest days of winter. 
Our drawings, with the descriptions which 
generally to make the rafters and other wood- 
work of such structures entirely too heavy. A 
plant structure cannot be made too light, pro- 
vided due strength is maintained. It will be 
noticed that we do away entirely with all plates 
END VIEW OF GREENHOUSE. 
and sills, and also tenoned and mortised joints, 
as these are only so marry places for the admis- 
sion of water and subsequent decay, and also 
involve much outlay for material and labor. 
The sashes measure 6 feet 3 inches long, by 3 
feet one inch wide, and one and a half inch 
thick, made of the best quality of white pine. 
Fig. 4.- 
a, Pillar 
b, Rid<;e-pole ; c. R.iftcr 
piece ; /, C'eilin, 
DETAILS OF ROOF. 
d, Sash; e, Stop- 
The side rails should be 2'| 2 inches wide, the 
top rail 3 inches, and the bottom rail 4 inches 
wide. The sash bars should be one inch and 
an eighth wide, rabbeted out five eighths of an 
inch deep, and °|i« of an inch wide, leaving the 
parting strip half an inch wide; this should over- 
