Fig. 54.—Perspective.
NEW YORK: GEO. E. WOODWARD & CO., 31 BROAD STREET, and ORANGE JUDD COMPANY, 245 BROADWAY.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865, by GEO. E. & F. W. WOODWARD, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New York.
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[Pg 128] 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.
Fig. 54.—Perspective.
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[Pg 129] 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[Pg 130] 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.