190 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ August, 
general temperature. A series of glass walls, arranged block fashion, with the 
ends enclosed by others running at right angles, would provide the highest pos¬ 
sible temperature in the open air for the culture of superior fruit. 
Perhaps a yet simpler mode of making the most of limited areas, and at the 
same -time |)roviding every possible variety of aspect, is the adoption of the zig¬ 
zag mode of building, either in single or in any number of lines. This form 
throws the wind over the projecting points, and enables the fruit to nestle in the 
genial warmth of the recesses. These zig-zag walls may be erected at any angle 
between a long slope and a series of right angles. Fig. 1 is an elevation of these 
zig-zag walls. They look well, and possess the rare merit of providing a suit¬ 
able aspect for every variety of fruit and flower that needs the shelter of 
a wall. The angular spaces of ground at their base furnish sheltered nooks for 
ground cordons, or early vegetables or flowers. 
The strutitural merits of these glass walls seem on a par with their cultural 
capabilities. Simply and quickly erected, easily taken down, and conveniently 
portable, are among their most valuable structural merits. They may rest upon 
iron soles, be bolted on to blocks of wood, or built into brick or stone, just in the 
same manner and with equal ease as a cattle or a sheep fence. A simple frame¬ 
work of iron receives the glass, a buffer of felt keeps it from breaking, and a few 
bolts or screws hold it together, a wire trainer is suspended from the face of the 
glass, and the wall is ready for use. By the aid of double iron principals and glaz¬ 
ing-bars of iron, the walls are made strong enough for all practical purposes. The 
glass is protected from all risk of breakage by a ribbon of felt, intervening at all 
points, between the iron and glass. This arrangement enables the structure to be 
bound firmly together by screws, without any risk to the glass. The glass itself 
is so strong (over 2 lb. to the square foot) that it will stand a good deal of rough 
usage with impunity. A slab of slate is likewi^ carried along the base of the 
waill, to any desired height, from G in. to 12 in., or more ; this forms a safe, 
strong ground-line. The top of the wall is protected by an iron coping, pro¬ 
jecting over the wall from 3 in. to 6 in. on each side, if desired. Trainers of wire 
or netting are fixed on the face' of the glass, from projecting studs of iron fixed 
into the principals. For this purpose perhaps nothing could seem more simple 
or efficient than galvanized wire netting of 3 in. or 4 in. mesh. Fig. 2 shows a 
section of a straight glass wall complete, with, however, straight wire for training 
on in lieu of the netting. For those who prefer an opaque wall, it is purposed 
to make walls of slate on exactly the same principle, the only difference being 
the substitution of slate slabs for those of glass. This will possess all the struc¬ 
tural and ground-saving merits claimed for glass ; but one-half of the plant and 
one side of the wall will still be left in semi-darkness, as on other walls, whereas, 
on glass walls the reign of darkness is at an end. 
By these simple arrangements, a strong, useful, portable, highly efficient, and 
ornamental wall is placed within reach of horticulturists, at a price less than 
