Greenhouses convert solar light to heat, enabling year-round production and the growth (in enclosed environments) of specialty crops and other plants not naturally suited to the local climate. Primitive greenhouses were first used during Roman times to produce cucumbers year-round for the Roman emperor Tiberius. The first modern greenhouses were built in Europe in the 16th century to keep exotic plants brought back from explorations abroad. Greenhouses remain an important part of horticulture today, and plastic transparent materials have also been used to similar effect in polytunnels and row covers. COUNT 6
QSN1 When were the first greenhouses used? ANS1 Roman times QSN2 In what century were the first modern greenhouses constructed? ANS2 the 16th QSN3 What do greenhouses do with solar energy? ANS3 convert solar light to heat QSN4 What is one purpose of a greenhouse? ANS4 enabling year-round production and the growth (in enclosed environments) of specialty crops QSN5 What was one of the first uses of a greenhouse? ANS5 produce cucumbers year-round for the Roman emperor Tiberius QSN6 Where were the first modern greenhouses built? ANS6 Europe