Glasshouses

            A glasshouse is sometimes called a greenhouse or a hot house and is a building made out of glass or clear plastic. The purpose of a glasshouse is so plants can be grown in controlled conditions of heat, moisture, air and shade. A glasshouse works by trapping sunlight, which passes through the glass and warms the soil, air and plants inside. But the infra-red rays given off by the heated soil and plants cannot pass back out and get trapped inside, keeping the glasshouse warm, even over several days without sun.
             The temperature in a glasshouse can be controlled by adding artificial heat, electricity, hot water pipes, special paraffin stoves or solar heating may be used. Watering can be done by hand or with special irrigation systems.
             Farmers use glasshouses to protect plants from being damaged by the weather and being eaten by rabbits, birds or other animals. Another reason is to raise flowers, fruit and vegetables outside the natural growing season when people are willing to play a high price for them. This has an effect on poor countries where they have the right environment to grow one particular crop. It is sold to countries where the crops won't grow naturally and the LEDC's rely on this source of income. So if the richer countries start growing their own in climate controlled glasshouses, the LEDC's won't make any money.