Chapter 5

In our present illustration we have an example of what may be done with a wall. It was necessary, for certain purposes, to cut away an embankment, and build a sustaining wall. After this had been done, we were asked if the wall could not be devoted to some useful purpose, and it was determined to build a lean-to grapery against it. The chief difficulty in the way was the wet and springy nature of the ground at the level marked water line in _Fig._ 38. It was found, however, that it could be drained; but at certain seasons of the year surface water would accumulate from the overflow of a milldam. But there is generally some way to overcome difficulties. In this case, the border was placed inside the house, and well raised, with a firm concrete bottom between the ground and water lines, and suitable drains connecting with the main drain under the front wall, to secure the requisite degree of dryness inside. Up to the present time we believe every thing has gone on very favorably. We have no doubt that many other places, now deemed useless, might be converted into good graperies at an expense that the results would fully warrant. In case this was successful, it was the owner's purpose to extend the house along the wall at the left; and it was therefore deemed best to insert the valley at the angle, to save future expense in tearing down the end of the house.

_Fig._ 36 is a perspective view of the house, which, in connection with _Fig._ 38 will give the reader a good idea of the general arrangement. _Fig._ 37 is a plan.

DESIGN No. 14.

Our next illustration is a hot grapery. It is forty-one feet long and twenty feet wide. _Fig._ 39 is a perspective view. It is covered with a low, continuous, curvilinear roof, and is without side lights. The omission of side lights materially lessens the cost of the house, and secures additional warmth. In some cases, side lights serve no other purpose than architectural effect. Graperies, propagating houses, and plant houses generally may very well be constructed without them; some of these houses, indeed, are very much better without them.

In the present instance, to prevent what is called a "squatty" appearance, and also to give additional headway, the side walls were carried up some twenty inches above the ground line. The house is thus made to assume a handsome appearance. Air is introduced into the house at the sides, through underground wooden air chambers opening on the inside near the walk. Instead of these wooden air chambers, we now use six inch glazed pipes, as being more convenient and durable. It is an effective and excellent mode of introducing fresh air, without letting it directly on the plants. Ventilation is effected by the sash over the end doors, and also by ventilators placed along the ridge board.

_Fig._ 40 is the ground plan. At the north end a small room is partitioned off for a boiler pit. On one side is a chest of drawers for seeds, &c., and on the other some shelving. In connection with the boiler pit is a coal bin, not, however, of very large capacity. The house is heated by two four-inch pipes, the design being not to work the house very early. The border is entirely inside the house, and is composed principally of sod, muck, and gravel, with the addition of some old manure and bone shavings. The vines have done well, annually ripening a fine crop of fruit, and the house has in all respects proved to be satisfactory.

DESIGN No. 15.

This is a plan of a range of houses designed and built for Joseph Howland, Esq., of Matteawan, N. Y. It is a large and imposing structure, befitting the character of Mr. Howland's ample grounds. It stands at the north end of the kitchen garden, and conceals it from the dwelling, from which the range is in full view. A part of the structure on the right, used as a green house, not shown in ground plan, was built some four or five years ago with the old sliding sash roof, which was found so unsatisfactory that at the time of the erection of the new portion, this roof was removed and replaced with a curvilinear fixed roof to correspond with the rest.

It will be observed that the range is divided into two parts by a road-way. The design of this was to enable the family to visit the houses at any time in the carriage without exposure to the weather, and enjoy the fruits, flowers, and temperature of tropical climates, without the necessity of leaving their homes.

The north side of the middle houses is covered with boards and battened. End ventilation being impracticable here, top ventilation is increased so as to meet all requirements.

_Fig._ 41 is the ground plan. On the right is the old green house, a portion of the foundation of which is shown. This communicates with the hot grapery and tool house, under which is a capacious root cellar. From the covered road-way, all the parts of this extensive range are easily accessible. Across the road-way, between the houses, is a handsome double gate, a sketch of which is given in _Fig._ 42.

Crossing the road-way, we enter the cold grapery. The foundation of this rests on piers, the border being outside. There are hot-water pipes in this compartment, to be used only to keep out frost. It may, however, be used as a "second" hot grapery. Passing out of the cold grapery, we enter what may be called the conservatory, its principal use being for the show of ornamental plants; and to this end it has several accessories which add much to its beauty. One of these which may be noticed is a neat fountain in the centre; always a pretty feature wherever it can be introduced. Another is a rustic niche or alcove in the north wall, built of rough stones, over and through which the water constantly trickles into a basin. Its full beauty will not be seen till it has acquired age, and become covered with mosses and ferns. Fortunately for the plants and for good taste, there is no shelving in this house. Beds are formed of brick, with a neat coping, in which the pots are set. This arrangement is much more effective than any manner of staging could possibly be.

In order to give the reader an idea of the interior of this apartment, we have prepared a perspective view of it. (See _Fig._ 43.) From this a good conception can be formed of the appearance and arrangement of the beds, fountain, &c.

Returning through the cold grapery, we have on its north side a boiler and potting room. The boiler pit is sunk beneath the floor of this room, and has connected with it a coal bin and shoot. Communicating with the potting-room is a propagating room, in the north end of the conservatory, and divided from it by a solid partition. It is provided with hot-water pipes for furnishing bottom heat. It will propagate all the bedding and other plants needed on the place. It will thus be seen that there are ample facilities for furnishing an abundant supply of grapes and flowers. The house, as a whole, forms a marked feature of the grounds.

DESIGN No. 16.

The following design was prepared for Dr. Butler, of the Retreat for the Insane at Hartford, Conn. The doctor had conceived the idea that a green-house might be made to serve a very important part in the treatment of the insane, having noticed the soothing influence of plants upon his patients, more especially the females. We have no doubt that his anticipations will be fully realized; for we can scarcely conceive of anything better calculated to heal the "mind diseased," than daily intercourse with these voiceless, but gladsome children of Nature.

_Fig._ 44 is a perspective view of the house. It is twenty-four feet wide and seventy-five long. It has a low, curved roof, and side sashes three feet six inches high. We do not make these roofs low for the sake of architectural effect, though this point is certainly gained; but rather for the sake of the plants, a low roof, in this respect, possessing incalculable advantages over one that is steep. When attention is once generally fixed on this point, plant growers will not be slow to acknowledge the superiority of the low roof. It has often surprised us that gardeners will assume a great deal of unnecessary labor for the sake of an old prejudice. Some of them are slow to avail themselves of improvements that not only lessen their toils, but bring greater certainty and pleasure to the pursuit of their profession. Others, again, are quick enough to avail themselves of every facility brought within their reach. We could wish that the latter class might multiply rapidly.

One of the prettiest features about this house is its rounded ends. The pitch of the roof and the width of the house are such, taken in connection with the circular ends, that all the lines flow into each other with the utmost harmony. These different parts were studied with reference to producing this result, and we think it has been done with some degree of success. The finials, the ornament along the ridge, and the entrance door, are all in keeping with the rest of the structure.

_Fig._ 45 is the ground plan. This presents some peculiarities. The house being designed for the use of the insane, it was desirable to place the heating apparatus out of their reach; the boiler is therefore placed under ground. For this purpose a vault of sufficient size to hold the boiler and several tons of coal, is built under ground in front of the house. It is substantially built of brick, and arched over. The smoke shaft is carried up through the roof, and finished above ground in the form of a column or pedestal, surmounted with a vase, as seen in _Fig._ 44. To harmonize the grounds, and conceal the purpose of this column, another is placed on the opposite side of the path. In summer, these vases will be filled with plants, and the columns are intended to be covered with vines, thus making them subserve an ornamental purpose. There are two entrances to the boiler vault, one from within by a concealed trap-door, and the other from without. The house will be heated by hot water pipes.

There will be neither shelves nor tables in the house. The plants will be set either on or in the ground, and the whole interior made to resemble as much as possible a flower garden. The plants will thus be easier seen, better enjoyed, and more appreciated than if placed either on tables or staging. In any well-designed house, the plants look and grow infinitely better upon flat tables; and a large class of plants will grow even better upon the earthen floor of the house.

DESIGN No. 17.

Our next example is a lean-to grapery for early forcing. It was designed for a gentleman in Connecticut, and we believe has since been built.

_Fig._ 46 is a perspective view. It runs east and west, and is designed to correspond in a measure with another house on the place, though the roof of this is much flatter. There are no side lights. Ventilation is effected by openings along the ridge, and by the sashes over the doors, which are hung for the purpose. The roof is continuous, and both ends of the house are glazed.

_Fig._ 47 is the ground plan. The sills of the front or glass part rest on brick piers, to allow the roots of the vines to run out, the border being both in and outside the house. A wooden partition on the north side of the walk divides the house into two unequal parts, the north being used for a potting shed, tool house, etc. This apartment is furnished with tables, etc., and is well lighted by windows at the side and ends. A water tank is conveniently placed in the middle. In the northwest corner is the boiler pit. This is sufficiently large to hold coal, and is furnished with a shoot for throwing it down. The grapery is to be heated by four rows of pipes, the object being to force early.

_Fig._ 48 is a section, showing the arrangement of pipes, walk, etc.

DESIGN No. 18.

Plant houses having a specific object in view, it is not possible to indulge in a great variety of forms without sacrificing their utility, or creating a great deal of room that can not be applied to any useful purpose whatever. In this respect they differ in a marked manner from dwelling-houses, which allow of great latitude in design and construction. That some degree of picturesqueness, however, is consistent with utility, we think will be apparent on examining the design herewith presented. The plan was made for H. B. Hurlbut, Esq., of Cleveland, Ohio. It is intended for a green-house and hot-house combined. It is located near the dwelling and in sight of the public highway. It is in the form of a cross.

_Fig._ 49 is a perspective view, as seen from the street. The porch or front entrance is ornamented, but with an entire absence of heavy wood work. The finials and crest along the ridge are light, and harmonize with the general design. The valleys and angles break up the structure in a very pleasing and effective manner, and the elevation, as a whole, is one that will arrest attention.

_Fig._ 50 is the ground plan. Directly opposite the front entrance is a fountain. There are two centre tables for plants, also others around the sides of the house, not shown in the plan. This apartment will be used principally for plants in bloom. The other apartment which will be kept at a higher temperature, for the purpose of forcing plants into flower. At the end, on the right-hand side, is the boiler-pit, which is partitioned off. It is large enough to hold two or three tons of coal. There is a coal-shoot on the outside. On the left is the potting-room. This will be fitted up with a writing desk, and shelves and drawers for books, seeds, etc. Every other side-sash is hung at the bottom for ventilation. There are also ventilators on the top, and over the doors. _Fig._ 51 is a sectional view of the house.

There is scarcely any part of this structure that does not, at some time during the day, receive a portion of the sun's rays; some more, some less. A little judgment, therefore, on the part of the gardener who has charge of the place, will enable him to grow well a large variety of plants.

DESIGN No. 19.

This design is of a plant-house of larger dimensions than any we have heretofore given. Its form was determined by its location. _Fig._ 52 is a perspective.

The principal building runs east and west. This is divided by a brick wall into two unequal parts, that facing the south being the largest. On the north side we have first, at the west end, a small Camellia house. It would be also adapted to Orchids, Caladiums, Begonias, Ferns, and all plants requiring partial shade. Next we have a moderate sized bed-room for the man who attends to the boilers, one of which is in the next room. These two rooms are covered with boards bent to the curve of the roof and battened instead of glass. On the south of these three rooms is a hot grapery, to be used as a "second" house. Next, on the east, is a house designated "Forcing House" in the plan. (See _Fig._ 53.) It should be "Hot House," as this room is not adapted to forcing purposes. It is intended for plants that require a high temperature to keep them in good health. East of this is a room, or a "potting shed." Being covered with glass, it is well adapted to growing Mushrooms, propagating plants, &c., all the room not being needed for potting purposes. By the side of this room is another boiler room, and on the south another Hot Grapery, to be used as a "first" house. Then, on the east is the Cold Grapery, of goodly dimensions. Last of all we have a Green-house of large size south of the Hot-house. Thus, under one roof, we have all that is needed on a large place. We do not wish to be understood as saying that it is always best to put these houses in this particular shape; but where money is no particular object, and architectural effect is sought for, this form gives an opportunity in its broken outlines for considerable display.

DESIGN No. 20.

Green-houses and Graperies are usually erected as separate structures. While it is desirable that they should be so on extensive places where much accommodation is required, in grounds of moderate extent many advantages are gained by having the houses connected. Facility for heating and management, protection of those houses requiring the most heat, by those kept cold or at only moderate temperature, and the ease with which all departments may be visited by the owner, are all obtained by such an arrangement. In the present instance the Green-house occupies a position east and west, and is protected on its north and most exposed quarter by the Grapery. The boiler located as shown on the plan, supplies heat to all the houses. The Grapery, not being intended as a forcing or early house, has but one hot water pipe, which will afford sufficient heat to enable the vines to be started two or three weeks earlier in the spring, or if not desirable to anticipate their natural growth, will prevent them receiving sudden checks from frosty nights, which sometimes happen at the latter end of April and beginning of May, after the vines have broken their buds. We can prolong the season also, until about Christmas, in favorable years. Several of the late ripening, and late keeping varieties of the Grape, are intended to be grown. Lady Downes, Barbarossa, Frogmore St., Peters and others. These by the addition of another pipe and proper care in management, could be kept on the vines in fine condition until February, and perhaps March.

The sill or wall plate of the Grapery, is but two feet above the border; thus giving nearly the whole length of cane for fruiting upon the rafter. Side lights are dispensed with bottom ventilation being afforded by apertures through the brick wall, closed by shutters. The wall is supported on stone lintels, resting on brick piers placed about five feet apart, extending to the bottom of the border, allowing free access for the vine roots to the outside. Ventilation at the top is effected by means of sashes, hung in the roof at the ridge, which are raised and lowered by an iron shaft running the length of the building, with elbow attachments at each ventilator. A cord and lever at one end, works the shaft, raising the whole of the ventilators at one operation. This is by far the best method of ventilation, but more expensive than that generally used. It is strong, effective, rarely requires repair, and the sashes are never in danger of being blown open and broken by high winds. The floor level of the Green-house is two feet below that of the Grapery, in order that there may be sufficient height at the sides, to place plants on the tables, and bring them near the glass. General collections of plants cannot well be grown in one house; for this reason, we have the house divided by a glass partition. By an arrangement of valves in the hot water pipes, and independent ventilation, a different temperature can be maintained in each. Plants requiring a considerable degree of heat will find a congenial location in the central house, while those in bloom, and others to which a cooler atmosphere is more suitable, will be placed at the circular end of the building.

Three rows of heating pipe run around the Green-houses, which will give ample heat in the coldest weather. A propagating table is provided by enclosing a portion of the pipes in the central house. Beneath the floor is a cistern of 3,000 gallons capacity, from which tanks holding 100 gallons each are supplied by pumps. The Green-houses are entered through a door and porch on the south, not shown in the engraving, also through potting room and Grapery. The design of these houses gives an opportunity for further addition if desired, by a wing on the south, corresponding with the Grapery on the north. Such an extension would improve the architectural appearance of the whole. An early Grapery might be thus located and be heated from the same boiler. These houses, lately designed and erected by us for John L. Rogers, Esq., of Newburgh, N. Y., form a picturesque and attractive feature in his well kept grounds, and will no doubt be a source of much enjoyment to their owner.

ORCHARD HOUSES.

Glass-houses devoted exclusively to the cultivation of such fruits as are usually found in our orchards and gardens, would seem to be hardly necessary erections in our climate, with its bright and genial sunshine. But we must call to mind the almost total failure of the peach crop for several years past, on account of the severity of the winter frost, in sections of the country where this fruit was formerly cultivated with the greatest success, and ripened in the fullest abundance and perfection. We cannot forget, also, that it is next to impossible to prevent the attacks of the curculio upon our smooth-skinned fruits,--the Nectarine, Apricot and Plum--and the vast amount of vigilance and care required to counteract the invasions of the various other insect pests which visit us, and to obtain even a moderate crop, in many localities, out of doors. And we must be willing to concede that the certain means of securing even a limited supply of these delicious fruits, is worthy of our careful consideration.

Well managed Orchard houses will give us, without doubt or failure, the Peach, the Apricot, the Nectarine, the Plum, the Fig, and many other fruits in great perfection. With the addition of fire heat these may be forced, and the fruit obtained much in advance of its natural season.

In England, houses for the growth of these fruits, which will generally not ripen in the open air of that climate, have been in successful use for a number of years. In these houses the trees are planted in prepared borders, which gives the roots liberty to ramble at will. The fruit thus produced is very beautiful in appearance, and if abundant ventilation is supplied, at the proper season, it is of tolerable flavor. The great difficulty in this mode of culture, seems to be in not being able to furnish adequate ventilation to the house at the period of ripening, to enable the fruit to acquire its full flavor and perfection of delicacy and richness. Another difficulty is the over vigorous growth of the trees, and the care required to restrain them within proper bounds.

An impetus was given to the erection of Orchard houses in England, by Mr. Rivers, the celebrated nurseryman and fruit grower, by the publication of his little work on the subject of Orchard houses, in which he advocated the growth of trees in pots. By this system of pot culture, we are enabled to remove the trees when the fruit begins to color, and thus to ripen and perfect it in the open air. The over-growth of wood is also restrained in this system of culture, the trees being easily managed and controlled. Great success has, in many instances, attended this mode of culture in this country. Although it is but a few years since experiments were commenced here, some of our fruit growers have acquired such skill and experience, as to enable them to realize considerable profits from their investments in a money point of view, besides demonstrating the practicability of the system.