The Case, Chatsworth — a range of greenhouses designed in 1838 by Joseph Paxton, who also designed the Great Stove at Chatsworth, and the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park. A contemporary elevation drawing of the range appears on pp. 144-45 of Kate Colquhoun's biography. Originally called the "Conservative Wall," it is 91 metres long, and (according to Chatsworth's own website) "backed by an ingenious system of flues and hot-water pipes, to keep the temperature high enough in the winter for half-hardy plants to grow successfully." From the same source, we learn that originally there were "projecting wooden panels from which canvas curtains could be hung in the coldest weather, but in 1848 Paxton covered it with a wood and glass frame." These days, the greenhouses are used for "figs, peaches, nectarines, apricots and various shrubs" which need protection from inclement weather ("The Case").
Photograph 1987 George P. Landow. Text by Landow and Jacqueline Banerjee. You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.
Bibliography
"The Case." Chatsworth. Web. 30 July 2019.
Colquhoun, Kate. "The Busiest Man in England:" A Life of Joseph Paxton, Gardener, Architect, and Visionary. Boston: David R. Godine, 2006. [Review ]
Last modified 30 July 2019