The Carden Ma 
THE GREENHOUSE AND ITS 
EQUIPMENT 
AN EDITORIAL SURVEY 
FACTORS CONTROLLING THE SELECTION OF THE TYPE OF HOUSE WITH QUESTIONS OF CONSTRUCTION AND 
HEATING CONSIDERED IN RELATION TO THE SITE, THE USE, AND RELATIVE COST 
G reenhouses are being bullt in American gardens In Increasing numbers each succeeding year not as mere cut flower factories, but as 
extensions of the garden In all Its aspects. The ability to set at nought Inclement weather conditions In winter makes the greenhouse 
the practical connecting link between the end of one year and the beginning of another outdoors, and under proper management, It so 
facilitates the production of plants that the outdoor year may be doubled In effect; this at the same time that It provides for vegetable 
and flower production In winter which would be otherwise out of the question. In the accompanying articles on the building and 
heating of a greenhouse, we have tried to lay before the reader In a general survey the chief points to be considered In the selection and 
bulldlngofa greenhouse to fit the requirements. It should be borne In mind that the garden under glass Is not the exact counterpart of a 
garden In the open, with merely weather conditions changed. While the temperature and moisture are under control, light, equally 
important, has to be taken as it comes. This imposes certain limitations on the garden under glass. The temperature that is main- 
tained may be ideal for one plant or group of plants, but quite uncongenial for others. It is important to remember this since the first 
cause of a beginner’s disappointment and failure in gardening under glass usually rests upon misdirected energy trying to accomplish 
too much — too great a diversity of plants requiring totally different conditions. Recognizing the limitations, the greenhouse becomes 
a valuable adjunct to an all year round garden. Greenhouse building has attained its highest perfection in America, and an intelligent 
understanding of the chief factors as set forth below, should serve greatly to simplify the problem of the plant lover who wishes to grow things 
under glass. Details of construction in the ultimate refinements are matters that belong to the specialist greenhouse builder. The important 
thing for the home owner to understand is how to ask himself, and to decide for himself, what kind of house he wants for the purpose he has in viesv. 
I. THE BUILDING OF IT 
J ust where a greenhouse is placed 
should receive careful consideration. 
Obviously, it should be convenient 
to the residence so that it can be 
frequently visited. It must also be borne 
in mind that the greenhouse is hand maiden 
to both flower and vegetable gardens, and 
should be located near both. This facilitates 
the handling of plants, and also allows the 
gardener to watch it when performing duties 
elsewhere than inside the structure. 
A near-by service road of some kind is 
necessary for hauling coal, the removal of 
ashes, and bringing in soil, manure, leafmould 
and the other necessities. 
Avoid low spots or poorly drained ground. 
Such locations are mildew breeders, con- 
stantly causing trouble because of the con- 
tinuous moisture. Indeed, under such con- 
ditions it is almost impossible to maintain a 
wholesome conditions in the greenhouse. A 
southerly or southeasterly slope is the ideal 
location, but any well-drained spot will do. 
As sunshine is of prime importance other 
considerations may be made secondary to the 
lacing of the house far enough from other 
uildings or trees to insure absolute sunshine. 
You can always shade artificially, but you 
cannot manufacture sunshine. And keep back 
a reasonable distance from the south property 
line; a neighbor may plant you out with a row 
of tall trees and thereby ruin your greenhouse. 
The shade lines are easy to find; an angle of 
22 degrees will give the incidence of sunlight 
at noon of the shortest day in the year. Do 
not, under any conditions, get the greenhouse 
placed within this angle of any obstruction 
to the south. Contrary to popular belief 
compass points are of little consequence in the 
exposure of a greenhouse, yet something de- 
pends upon the crops intended. A grapery 
or peach house with roof trellis should run 
north or south so the sun passes over the house. 
A peach house with cross trellises should run 
east and west, but a general purpose house, 
built in the modern way by eliminating large 
rafters, can be built without regard to direc- 
tion. 
SERVICE BUILDING 
While not an absolute necessity as part of 
the greenhouse, yet a service building of 
some description is advisable. This building 
houses the heating apparatus, coal supply, 
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potting benches, sink, pot rack, seed cabinet, 
and in some cases a toilet and washbowl. 
It should match up architecturally with the 
surrounding buildings. In some cases a glass 
service building is advisable; the greenhouse 
being made longer than the growing compart- 
ments required, and a piece partitioned off for 
use as a workroom. 1 his answers the purpose 
very well, and, of course, is a little cheaper. 
FOUNDATION AND WALLS 
The foundations of a greenhouse are im- 
portant — more so than most people consider. 
They should extend below the frost line so 
there is no danger of heaving, which causes 
roof sags and broken glass; and the founda- 
tion should be of sufficient thickness to give 
the greenhouse a good bearing, with footings 
proportioned to the size of the wall. A rough 
stone wall should not be less than sixteen 
inches; if built of brick a twelve inch wall will 
be sufficient; while a concrete wall eight 
inches thick will carry almost any sized green- 
house. Where gravel is available it is now 
general to use concrete for the foundation 
below grade; above grade it is made to cor- 
respond with surrounding buildings. 
