Unlike the garden of a country gentleman that blossoms and fruits and passes away in a season, the horticultural building properly heated is a perpetual pleasure, a garden the year round; vegetables and fruit and flowers follow each other without intermission.
Very much is due to the foresight and energy of Mr. Sherwood, in inaugurating the introduction of horticultural structures of this class in New York. Few gentlemen of wealth have had the same opportunity, and few less would have the courage to take the first bold step in this matter. It cannot, however, by horticulturists, be looked upon as an experiment, however much those inexperienced in such matters may be disposed to criticise.
We are sure that Mr. Sherwood has done something that will advance the cause of Horticulture, and equally sure that he will be successful in the result. We shall feel much interested in his progress.
DESIGN No. 13.
Fig. 36.—Perspective.
Fig. 37.—Ground Plan.
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.