MARCH. 51 



removable sides, 7 inches deep, stayed by light iron bolts here 

 and there, tightened by a nut and screw, to prevent their 

 spreading outwards, whilst they are firmly secured on the top 

 of the lieating tank by wooden studs. From the edge of the 

 tank spring a series of shelves, rising with the pitch of tlie 

 roof to the wall. 



Now for the advantages of this plan over hot-water pipes ; 

 and we particularly request the attention of our readers to 

 this point, assuring tliem that we have never used any fer- 

 menting material, such as dung or leaves, from the day we 

 set our first wooden tank at work, and consequently we have 

 neither had the trouble nor litter they once occasioned us. 

 During the season when our wooden tank-house is required 

 as a greenhouse, the plants are placed upon the shelves as in 

 any common erection of the kind, and the heat radiated from 

 the surface of the slate efficiently excludes any amount of 

 frost we are liable to. The flowering season over, the three 

 lower shelves are removed, the surface of the tank is covered 

 with the plunging material to the edge, and in this the cut- 

 ting-pots, or whatever may require bottom-heat, are placed 

 and covered with hand-lights. Here at once we have a pro- 

 pagating pit of the best description ; for the sides of the tank 

 being of wood, a non-conductor of heat, a small quantity of 

 firing is sufficient for two or three days' gentle heating. When 

 the business of propagation is over, the plunging material is 

 removed, the shelves are replaced, and the young plants are 

 arranged upon them. The space beneath the tanks is occu- 

 pied by Gloxinias, Achimenes, Liliums, &c., which are placed 

 there as they go out of bloom, as an entirely dry spot, where 

 they are admirably rested for the winter. 



Now if the tank required by Dr. Horner was made of wood, 

 as we said before, we fear he would at times be short of atmo- 

 spheric heat, which cannot be the case if iron is used in its con- 

 struction. The best arrangement of all w'ould be a wooden 

 tank for the bed, and hot-water pipes to heat the air, all com- 

 municating with one boiler, and with stop-cocks on both flow- 

 pipes, to insure a perfect control over the whole arrangement. 



Another word in favour of well-constructed wooden tanks. 

 If we were dropped down in a spot far removed from any 

 thing in the shape of an engineer, we should, with the aid of 

 a carpenter and a plumber, and a large-sized strong copper 

 boiler of Stephenson's, such as we have long had at work, be 

 able to garden away under glass most merrily. Wherever 

 wooden tanks have failed, the fault has been in construction. 

 The four we have had in use for years are as sound and as 

 free from a leak as any other apparatus on the premises. 



Worton Cottage, Isleworth. Edward Beck. 



