268 



TRANSACTIONS OF THE NORTHERN 



had occasion to talk over our troubles, and finally decided to experiment with a boiler heated with 

 a kerosene lamp. Each of us constructed one on the same princii)les— a metallic cone running up 

 through the center of the boiler, acting in the same manner that the glass chimney does upon the 

 parlor lamp. The Doctor being more of a ladies' man than I, selected the Wardian case— I went in 

 for the Tank. He took an ordinary size dry goods box, fitted in a metallic pan, divided ofl" by par- 

 titions, so as to have a flue over its whole surface; made a box to set on it; in this plunged his 

 seed and cuttings; placed the boiler on the outside of the box; covered the box with glass; obtained 

 uniform, constant temperature and moisture, and it proved a decided success. 



In the meantime I took a tank the size of my present one that had been attached to the stove in 

 my green-house, and with a boiler constructed similar to the one before you, set it to work; my 

 cuttings would not grow like the Doctor's. Some one had informed me that roofing slate was the 

 very best article for a bottom over the water. I had procured it and cemented it. Searching for 

 the cause of my sad luck, I discovered that slate, when heated, was always dry, and that cuttings, 

 although receiving regular and uniform heat, had no moisture at the roots, except tliat from the 

 sand surrounding them. I removed the slate, replacing it with boards three-fourths of an inch 

 thick; they answer the purpose. The boards soon become saturated with water, and they passed 

 both heat and moisture. This was three years ago. I thought it a success— I think so yet. lean 

 strike anything any one else can ecinally as soon in point of time and at as small a per cent, of loss. 

 My friends present, John W. Robson, a florist and horticulturist from his youth up— your Secretary 

 Scott, nurseiymau, florist, and printer, have seen the tank at work. The plants it turns out- 

 quantity and quality— I refer you to them for particulars. 



The Boiler— Made of copper (it can be made of tin at much less cost, say three or four dollars) is 

 15 inches in height, 6 inches in diameter, with a cone running up through the center 3X inches at 

 bottom and 1}^ inches at top. It passes through a loose cover on the top of the boiler 2 inches. 

 There is a ring around the bottom of the boiler Ij^ wide. In this ring is a door of mica IK wide and 

 3 inches long, wliich enables you to observe the height of flame and to light after the lamp is attached 

 by three hooks. The lamp is 6 inches in diameter and 2% inches deep. The top is convex, the 

 burner (No. 1) is screwed into the ton. and there is a small screw opening at the side to enable you 

 to fill the lamp without removing the burner. A circular disk Is attached to the upper side of the 

 burner. The edge is slightly turned up. When the lamp is attached it fits closely around the ring. 

 It consumes one quart of oil in 24 hours, and is trimmed night and morning. It requires no other 

 attention. It is attached to the tank with 1-inch light lead pipe; about 6 inches from it the flue pipe 

 is on a level with the water in tlie tank; the return is taken from the bottom of the tank; they are 

 attached by flanges made from iron washers that fit over the pipe— a rubber gasket and wood screws. 

 The tank is made of Ija inch white pine plank, put together with 4 inch wood screws— preferable to 

 nails, as they do not draw. It is painted inside and out; sets inclined toward the boiler, % inch in 

 its whole length. Inside measurement— length, 10 feet; width, 15 inches; division board, 1 inch 

 thick, 5 inches in height; boards for sand bed, X inch thick; top of tank from board, 4>2 inches; 

 capacity. 120x14x4,^^—7140 cubic in. =30 210-231 gallons, which is heated to the temperature of from 

 65° to 70", with one quart of oil in 24 hours. I use 12x18 of single lights, of glass, making a * ' lean 

 to," to cover the whole length of the tank; the lower ends of the glass rest on a small strip nailed 

 inside }£ inch below the top of the tank, to keep them in place. By using the glass in single panes 

 you can cover from one foot to the whole tank. Last month our friends Rural and jNIr. Edwards 

 visited our citj'. j\ty tank had not been in use for seven months; never leaking. I always let the 

 water stand in it. I filled it up to 4}^ Indies— 30>2 gallons of water— at 4 p. m. ; I lit the lamp; the 

 water then was at U" ; at 9 p. m. I removed the lamp, as the disk was filled with drip; I removed it 

 and replaced the lamp, with water at 56° ; at 7 next morning I trimmed and filled lamp ; water at 64° , 

 and at 10 a. m. when tliey visited me the water was at 6S>> ; the bottom boards were heated, and it 

 could then be run for months without a variation of 5°. One improvement has been suggested— 

 making the tank of zinc or sheet iron; this would;be an oversight. Metals are the best conductors of 

 heat we have. Wood is among the worst. Tlie object is to utilize the heat generated in the tank; 

 not radiate it In the liouse. I do not think a (juart of oil would heat 15 gallons of water up to 50° in a 

 metallic tank. 



Such, Mr. President, is the apparatus. I liave given you simply tlie results of our experiments 

 and observations. If any lover of flowers should from its use realize that we luive added to their 

 enjoyment in the growth of flowers and plants, tlie only and sote interest I have In it Is realized. 

 It is susceptible of so many modifications that it can be applied to either parlor or green-house. 

 Nothing new is claimed for it. Tanks have been in use since how long, Kural?— I don't know. 

 The Wardian case lias been in use for years, and had lamp attachment. The natural laws by wliich 

 plants are propagated have always been and will ever remain unchanged. What then has been 

 done ? Nothing else in my opinion but putting our tools to a better use— a better understanding of 

 laws always in force— which may be stated thus: 



\. The tank should have a lieating apparatus separate and Independent from that used for heating 

 the green-house, thus securiug constant and uniform heat to the roots of the cuttings. 



