22 
THE MANUAL OF GARDENING. 
possible, with southerly exposure. If the soil be not naturally 
dry, there should be a drain laid, so as to carry off the moisture, 
which would otherwise accumulate, and prove prejudicial to the 
health of the plants, as well as render an entrance, by persons 
in delicate health, unpleasant, if not dangerous. In such a struc- 
ture, well located, and managed with due. care, most hardy 
green-house plants may be successfully preserved, without the 
aid of fire. But if the slight additional expense of a flue, were 
incurred, they could not only be preserved, but kept in a high 
degree of perfection, and with actually less care than in a green- 
house, because it would be less exposed to frost, than if elevated. 
The Plant Verandah is another species of green-house, par- 
ticularly adapted for cottage or villa residences. It consists of a 
covered projection having a glazed front, and the roof either 
wholly or partially the same. It may be placed against the front 
or one of the ends of the dwelling, according to the aspect, the 
principal windows opening into it in the French manner. But 
if this be not desirable on the score of expense, an arrangement 
equally successful, may be adopted, viz : the erection of an inside 
sash, receding two or three feet (more or less, as the size of the apart- 
ment, and the wants of the family may admit) into the room. In 
the space thus formed, between the outside and inside sashes, 
green-house plants, of any description, may be kept with great 
ease; much more so, than when simply placed upon the window- 
ledge ; in the latter case the temperature of the room is frequently 
much too high, and fresh air so essential to their health, and 
consequent beauty, cannot be given without admitting a draft 
into the apartment. But by the plan proposed, warm air from the 
room, or cold air from the outside, may be given or withheld at 
pleasure, and without the slightest inconvenience. The gas, 
and dry scorching heat, emitted by anthracite coal, now so gener- 
ally used in our cities, is destructive to vegetable life; hence the 
frequently unhealthy and cheerless aspect of plants kept in sitting- 
rooms where that fuel is used. By the plan recommended, that 
objection is obviated ; as the heat may be properly adjusted, and its 
dry character corrected, by the gradual but constant evaporation 
of moisture which may be in progress ; whilst all the pleasure 
which arises from having plants in the room, is as fully enjoyed 
as if the inside sash were absent. 
Plants are frequently kept during winter in bath-houses, as now 
constructed in our principal cities ; situated ten or twelve feet 
above the ground, so as to be reached from the second story of 
the kitchen-offices, or as is frequently the case, adjoining the 
ordinary family room, which is so placed as to overlook the gar- 
den. It is better the room should have a southerly, or easterly 
exposure; and if this appendage is so placed as to admit of a flue 
