Woodward's Graperies and Horticultural Buildings Part 5

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 50.--_Ground Plan._]

_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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 51.--_Section._]

_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 princ.i.p.ally 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 part.i.tioned 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 52.--_Perspective._]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 53.--_Ground Plan._]

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 princ.i.p.al 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 gla.s.s. 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 gla.s.s, 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 antic.i.p.ate 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 54.--_Perspective._]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 55.--_Ground Plan._]

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 gla.s.s. General collections of plants cannot well be grown in one house; for this reason, we have the house divided by a gla.s.s part.i.tion. 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.

Gla.s.s-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.

The majority of houses erected for this purpose among us, have been of the cheapest possible description. While the culture was merely experimental, this was all well enough; but now that the Orchard house has taken its place among other Horticultural structures, the same arguments we have urged against cheap Graperies will apply with equal force to this cla.s.s of buildings.

The princ.i.p.al differences between the plans for Orchard houses and Graperies are, first, the somewhat lower roof of the former, that the pots containing the trees may stand upon the earth floor or border, while the foliage may be brought as near as possible to the gla.s.s; and secondly, the very ample ventilation required by the trees, at certain periods of their growth, and in completing the "hardening off" process of the wood, and leaves if the trees are to be removed to the open air.

Fruit trees are frequently grown in pots in Graperies. After the vines have expanded their leaves maturely, and obstructed the light, it becomes necessary to remove the trees to the open air. The leaves and new grown wood being very tender, the abrupt change to a different climate is too great, and they suffer in consequence. In a well constructed Orchard house, the means of ventilation should be so ample that the trees may be gradually inured to the change; or if it is desirable to let the trees remain within the house through the summer, the access of the air must be so abundant as to give as nearly as possible that flavor to the fruit which it would acquire if fully exposed.

_Fig._ 56 is a perspective view of a "lean-to" Orchard house, erected some years since by J. S. Lovering, Esq. of which the following description has been furnished to us:

"Mr. Lovering's Orchard House is 165 feet long by 14 wide, is a lean-to, points south, under shelter of a hill. Back wall 12 feet high, 8 feet stone work; on top of wall 4 feet of wood, in which the back row of ventilators (2 feet by 20 inches) work, hung on rollers, and all opened and closed simultaneously by means of a wire representing a front door pull. Front wall 4 feet high, made by nailing plowed and grooved planks to locust posts, in which are cut the front ventilators, 4 feet 8 inches long by 18 inches deep, and covered by a screen of gauze wire with board shutters to close tight. The roof is made of 16 feet rafters, on which rests 8 foot sash, immovable; the gla.s.s is first quality, 8 by 10. A single row of supporters on one side of the wall completes the roof. The interior is divided into three borders: the front border (3 feet 6 inches wide) is raised 9 inches above the walk (which is 2 feet 6 inches wide); the first back border is 3 feet wide, and raised 16 inches above the walk; the second back border is raised 1 foot above the front one, and is 4 feet wide. On this further back border are placed the largest trees only, having the most head room--the smallest pots standing on the front. The appearance of the house, when seen by the writer on the 7th of April, 1860, was truly magnificent, being one dense ma.s.s of bloom, (except some of the early kinds, on which the fruit was already set,) resembling a green-house of Azaleas in full flower. Peaches, apricots, nectarines, plums and figs are embraced in the a.s.sortment, and are grown princ.i.p.ally in 11-inch pots placed about three feet apart, every leaf being fully exposed to the sun-light--vines being, of course, entirely prohibited.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 56.--_Perspective View._]

Of the success of this mode of culture in America, no one who has witnessed Mr. Lovering's house can have the shadow of a doubt. With him it is no new experiment, having fruited pot trees in his cold graperies for several years."

_Fig._ 57 is a section of a "lean-to" form of house, showing arrangement of trees and sunken walk to give sufficient head room.

_Fig._ 58 represents perspective view of a span-roofed house, in which ventilation is effected at the bottom and very freely at the ends. No ventilators are placed in the roof as they were not in this case deemed necessary.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 57.--_Section._]

_Fig._ 59 gives a view of the interior of the span-roofed house, in which are shown the pots containing the trees. The span-roofed house we consider better adapted to the growth of Orchard fruit than the "lean-to" form, except where it is desired to force the fruit in advance of its season, in which case the lean-to possesses the advantages of better protection, and of being more easily heated from the smaller area of gla.s.s exposed to radiation. These designs are of houses of a cheap cla.s.s, such as might be erected for merely experimental purposes.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 58.--_Perspective._]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 59.--_Interior View._]

We consider the successful cultivation of Orchard fruit under gla.s.s, to be a fact so well settled, that we should advise substantial structures to be erected at the outset. Some of our numerous designs for graperies, both of the curvilinear and straight roofed form, would, with slight alteration in adding to the means of ventilation, be well adapted to this purpose. This is especially the case with designs numbered 7, 8, and 14.