Page:The Amateur's Greenhouse and Conservatory.djvu/8

2 information, systematically arranged, on those departments of plant-house construction and plant cultivation which may be properly considered under the general heads of the “greenhouse” and “conservatory,” in which a temperate climate is maintained, as distinguished from the “stove,” the “orchid-house,” and other structures in which a tropical climate is required for the advantage of tropical plants. Considering the treacherous nature of our climate and the length of the winter season, it cannot be said we have as yet attained to a full knowledge of the value of glass in horticulture. Nevertheless immense progress has been made since glass and bricks and timber were rendered free of duty, and the vast number of patented plant houses and protective pits that are now in the market sufficiently prove that the demand for such has increased and is increasing. An amateur who purposes to provide some kind of glass structure to enlarge the uses and enhance the enjoyments of the garden may well be perplexed at first as to the best mode of procedure. The horticultural papers teem with advertisements of “portable,” “imperishable,” and “multum in parvo” plant houses, and with an almost endless variety of apparatus for heating. It will be found, however, on careful inspection, that in plan and material these do not greatly differ, and that in certain leading particulars they very nearly agree all round, so that a blind man could scarcely go wrong, except, perhaps, as to price, in making choice amongst them. But it is not every one who desires the latest patented invention turned out complete as from a bandbox. In one case an amateur may elect to be his own builder; in another there may be need to give a builder directions, and, perhaps, to watch over the work. One important condition of success, whatever be the mode of procedure, is that the amateur should have a clear idea of the sort of house required to suit the plants he intends to shelter in it.

The great point is to begin well, and the business of the writer of this will be to point out as clearly as possible how the desired end is to be secured, at the least possible expense, and with the greatest possible promise of a successful issue. Matters of fact will concern us chiefly, but matters of opinion will, perhaps, occasionally intrude and be governed always with good intentions, and seasoned with some little knowledge of the subject—sufficient, let us hope, for the purpose.

A disquisition on the nice distinctions that might be drawn