462 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. t November is, mo. 
We have had, however, unfortunately for some half-hardy plants 
out of doors, too often sharp frosts at night. All the ‘ American 
storms ’ passed over us ta break elsewhere. Lough Gill, the 
beauties of which you so admired, and the rivers here, were never 
so low within living memory, and the trees are only now in their 
gorgeous autumn tints. Driving through the country, it is much 
more like the first week in October ; and as we have had no frosts 
to speak of for the past ten days, though the bright sunshine has 
continued, I have Roses, Chrysanthemums, Fuchsias, Laurustinus, 
Anemones, Petunias, Mignonette, &c., all in flower in my garden 
together, not to mention anything in the greenhouse. We have 
now nearly completed the planting of our bulbs, including some 
thousands of Tulips alone, which we were enabled to do uninter¬ 
ruptedly owing to the unprecedented fine weather at this season.” 
—W. J. M., Clonmel, 
GLASS STRUCTURES FOR AMATEURS. 
Of the many structures employed in gardening, those erected 
by amateurs present the most diversified aspect. What these are 
can best be ascertained by an inspection of the numerous examples 
to be seen in the vicinity of large towns. Ostensibly constructed 
for the growth of plants, some are a medley of masonry, wood¬ 
work, and glass, the latter quite out of all proportion to the former. 
The amateur’s success with such means is, as might be expected, 
moderate, yet his attempt to grow plants affords him pleasure 
and recreative employment. Such structures are often the out¬ 
come of a taste engendered by the gift of a few cuttings, which 
are carefully reared and tended until they outgrow the space 
afforded by the windows of rooms, and then a greenhouse be¬ 
comes necessary, and is forthwith erected. Success attends the 
effort; the windows of the dwelling are full of flowers, the home 
is made cheerful, passers-by admire it, and thus the taste for 
flowers spreads, and the means for growing them increase. Many 
structures are erected hastily, and without due consideration 
having been given to their suitability for the purpose for which 
they were intended : failure results and inquiry follows. 
That inquiries on the subject in question are prevalent now I 
have the best proof, for by the same post three letters were sent 
to me by the Editors. A correspondent living near a large manu¬ 
facturing town writes :—“ I am desirous of constructing a house 
in which to grow Yines— i.c., Grapes and plants. What descrip- 
Fig. 8b—L ean-to house—section and end elevation. 
Scale, three-sixteentlis of an inch to a foot. 
tion of house would be most suitable ? Hints as to making border, 
selection of varieties, and heating the house would be thankfully 
received by one in fog, smut, and dust.” Next a country curate 
asks—“ Could you give me information in respect of the manage¬ 
ment of a greenhouse (with Yines) in winter, temperature, water¬ 
ing, ventilation, and general treatment through the winter?” The 
concluding letter is from a “man of small means:”—“What 
plants are suitable for growing in a vinery to afford a display of 
flowers, and for cutting in autumn, winter, and spring ? I have 
no other house, only a few frames. In summer I have flowers 
from outdoor plants, so that summer-flowering plants are not 
required for the house, besides I find they do not do well under 
the Vines at that time ; but I suppose the space on the stages 
might be utilised for growing Tomatoes, Cucumbers, and probably 
Melons. If you could add (say in an article by one of your many 
able contributors) a few cultural directions, they would be useful 
to many others in like circumstances to myself.” Accompanying 
these letters was the following true editorial note, brief and to the 
point:—“ Many have but one house for Vines and plants. Will 
you write an article on the subject ? It would be acceptable to 
many readers. We have other letters upon the same subject.” I 
will endeavour to comply, founding' my remarks on obser vations 
and experience, and will try to conform with the wishes o f those 
correspondents in the hope of being useful to them and oth ers. 
Glass structures admit of two forms only—viz., lean-t o roof 
and span roof, the lines being straight or curvilinear; but there 
are modifications, one of the most important being the half -span. 
The lean-to is the most eligible where there is a wall already 
available, especially if it be the blank wall of a buildin g with 
suitable aspect; but if the wall be not that of a buildi ng, or 
higher than 9 feet, the half-span is preferable, and where t here is 
no wall at all the span roof is the most suitable. I will end eavour 
to elucidate the matter by illustration so that each may select 
the form most suitable to his exigency, commencing with a lean- 
to house for Vines and plants. 
References to lean-to section (fig. 84), and ground plan (fig. 85). 
A, Vine border; b, rubble; c, drain; D, pillars to carry arches of 
front wall to allow Vine roots to pass out ; E, front shelf ; f, 
pathway ; G, Bteps ; H, back stage ; I, hot-water pipes, 4 inches ; 
J, opening to allow Vine roots to pass into outside border ; K, 
front lights to open entire length of house with crank and lever 
apparatus ; L, top lights to open full length of house with crank 
