550 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. c December ie, isso. 
growth, why not with the Grape Vine ? I shall contend, strong 
young Vines may be—however insufficiently developed are the 
lower buds at, say, 1 foot from the border—pruned back to any 
one of these eyes ; if slowly brought on the following season they 
will produce strong luxuriant growth. Not that I say any 
advantage will be gained by close pruning back if sufficient eyes 
will burst into growth to swell or strengthen the bottom of the 
Vine. Prune an old Vine close back, and it will, in the majority 
of cases, break into growth from places where neither joint or 
eyes are perceptible, and if root-action is good the growth will 
be strong. Why should not strong young Vines produce a luxuriant 
growth when well cut back, instead of a weak puny one as “R. P. B.” 
thinks ? If fruit is required, large prominent buds are certainly 
desirable.— Scientia. 
GLASS STRUCTURES FOR AMATEURS.—No. 2. 
The annexed engraving, fig. 98, represents the section of a half¬ 
span house—a most useful form for a variety of purposes. The 
appurtenances at the back are the same as shown in the figure on 
page 4G2, and it is not necessary to repeat them here. The 
following are the references to the section now submitted:— 
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 ; /, path¬ 
way ; g, back stage ; h, hot-water pipes, 4 inches ; i, front lights 
to open entire length of house with crank and lever apparatus ; 
j, ridge lights to open full length of house ; h, stays for trellis 
wires for Vines, one stay to each rafter, and wires 9 inches apart; 
l, iron tie-bar, one to each rafter; m, suspended shelves over 
pathway ; n, border for Camellias or other plants. 
It may be useful to refer to the construction of the houses. 
Economy is often sought by the employment of cheap materials, 
in which there is no true economy, as the materials to be cheap 
must be of inferior quality. There is no bargain in bricks badly 
burned and that will perish with frost, eve* if they are had for a 
few shillings less per thousand than properly made and well 
burned ; therefore use good bricks. Mortar made of one part 
lime and two parts sand will be suitable. In timber avoid cheap 
Fig. 98.— Half-span house, section and end elevation. 
Scale—a quarter of au inch to a foot. 
deals, which on account of the sap they contain are totally unfit 
for glass structures, where such wood decays in an incredibly 
short space of time. Sound red deal should be employed, or, better 
still, pitch pine. In hanging the lights brass connections are more 
durable than cast iron ; the expense of replacing the latter in a 
few years, presuming them to be employed, will equal the cost of 
the difference between the two metals. For the ventilating appa¬ 
ratus wrought iron is the only suitable material; cast, from not 
“giving ” when the lights are stiff, snaps. The wires for the trellis 
should not be galvanised, but the best drawn and annealed, No. 6 ; 
the stays and strainers (angle iron) should also be wrought or 
malleable iron, all painted. For the pathway, where timber is 
employed, have it creosoted, or it will speedily become a prey to 
fungus. This more especially applies to the sleepers. In the long 
run cast-iron sleepers, with a ledge to receive cast-iron grating for 
pathways, are cheapest. 
In forming the rebate in the rafters and sashbars half an inch 
i3 deep enough, and a quarter of an inch wide for the reception of 
the glass, which should be 21-oz. thirds quality, bedded in putty 
and secured with copper tacks. No upper putty should be used, but 
have the wood dressed off level with the glass. The sharp upper 
edge of the rebate should be taken off and painted, covering a little 
of the glass, but not more than the width of the rebate, and the roof 
will be quite waterproof—more so than when top putty is used. 
Laps a quarter of an inch wide are ample, being better less than 
over. Sixteen-ounce glass is cheaper than that recommended, but 
is more liable to breakage. Drip is a serious matter and often 
occasions great loss in the keeping of Grapes ; it may be almost 
entirely prevented by having a small groove made in each rafter 
and sashbar on both sides their entire length a little below the 
under side of the glass. Stout open lath stages are more durable 
and in every way better than solid. The colour of paint for stages 
and also for the house should if in a smoky district be stone, 
and if in the country the roof may be white. Dark colours are 
objectionable. 
The angle of elevation in the different structures is about 40°, 
which is sufficiently sharp to allow of the rain passing off quickly. 
45° is usually considered most suitable ; but the higher the angle 
