A FURTHER GLANCE AT MODERN FLOWER-GARDENS. 
189 
superlative cultivation and perfection in every part, it is possible that the plants will be required to be 
all face, that is perfect on all sides, and then one-sided plants will be no longer tolerated. The time 
will come, and that before many years are past, when plants will be judged for perfect cultivation, 
possibly in single rows, so that they may be seen on all sides, and then those who grow them in span- 
roofed houses, will find that they were wise in time. The mechanism of plants manufactured, though 
necessary to some extent, we only care for, so far as it is instrumental in bringing rude growth into 
symmetrical forms ; but it is quite certain that a plant to be perfect, must be furnished alike on all sides, 
and this can only be effected by all sides being alike exposed to light; therefore, a span-roofed house is 
the only form of house in which such an object can be attained. 
In the house represented by the annexed engraving, we have studied to combine economy with 
suitability; and we imagine, if our directions are followed, it maybe built very much cheaper than 
such houses are generally constructed. The great expense of all horticultural building, of a plain de¬ 
scription, is not the materials, but the labour; and hence, to diminish the labour, is to secure a great 
saving. Now, in all greenhouses the expense of making the sashes is the principal one, as they take 
considerable time. We, therefore, propose to do away with the sashes, except in so far as they are 
necessary for ventilation, and to glaze the other part of the roof as a fixture. From the plan of the 
half of the roof, Fig. 2, it will be seen 
that the ends are hipped, and that a 
purlin e e, is introduced longitudinally, 
and from the purlin to the ridge of the 
roof, light rafters are placed to sup¬ 
port the sashes. These are made to 
slide by means of cords and pulleys; 
and to guide them, and likewise keep 
them in them places, small grooved 
brass wheels are let into the sashes, and 
so as to work upon the astragals below 
them. The wood-cut explains the plan 
so well, it is not necessary for us to dwell upon the subject here, as any builder of ordinary penetration 
will readily see how such a house should be constructed. Ventilation is secured by the end and side¬ 
lights, as well as by the ventilators d , which are nine inches deep and eighteen inches long. The 
house may be heated either by the hot-water pipes c c, or a flue may be built in the same place, but 
then one doorway must be abandoned, so as to cany the flue round the house. The house itself, if 
only for the sake of appearance, should be elevated ten or fifteen inches above the surrounding soil, 
and it may be entered by a step or two at each end. The advantages of this arrangement, in addition 
to cheapness, is superior lightness, as, instead of heavy rafters, and considerable shade, eveiy three or 
four feet, with the exception of the main supporters, have nothing more than astragals or sash- 
bars introduced. 
For the internal fittings we should prefer slate, and would raise the plants when necessary by 
inverted pots. One row of specimen plants would be grown round the sides, and three rows by using 
the inverted pots upon the centre stage. The expense of such a house as we have described, should 
not exceed, if glazed with the best sheet glass in large squares, £70; and a nurseryman doing his own 
work, would build it for considerably less. The quality of glass we should recommend would be good 
crown ; but, if properly attended to, we see no objection to good sheet: under it plants may require a 
little more shade, but the plants in a Pelargonium house will not sustain any injury after the end of 
March, if the house is covered permanently with the hexagon netting—which will also serve to exclude 
the bees. 
Fig. 2. 
A FURTHER GLANCE AT MODERN FLOWER-GARDENS. 
By Mr. R. ERRINGTON, C.M.H.S., Gardener to Sir. P. Egerton, Bart., Oulton Park. 
RAVING dealt with clumsy or unwieldy forms amongst flowers, as connected with the parterre, I 
may now beg permission to refer to some plants possessing the opposite quality of elegance and 
gracefulness. 
Every one admires the neatness and lightsomeness of the old Liatris spicata; a prettier object can 
scarcely be conceived, when nicely grown. The old Chelone barbata, too, a plant admired by most: 
what elegance a plant of this peeping here and there among the grosser and flat-headed herbaceous 
