380 THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 



such, for a boiler is one of its main features. It may be described as resembling a 

 Belmontine lamp in principle action, but it is constructed of tin instead of glass , 

 and the boiler sm-rounds the upper part of the chimney. Whoever can manage a 

 paraffin or Belmontine lump — an easy matter enough — can manage one of these 

 stoves, for the flame is produced by means of a wick, or rather a doable wick, 

 immersed in rock oil or paraffin, in precisely the same manner as in the common 

 reading lamps now so generally used. There is no unpleasant odour produced ; 

 not a particle of sulphur results from the combustion ; and there is, for the size of 

 the affair, a very large radiating surface, of which the boiler is an important part. 

 All coke and charcoal sloves, if burned within a plant-house, give off sulphur fumes, 

 for there is sulphur in the fuel ; these stoves cannot produce so undesirable a result, 

 as petroleum is totally destitute of sulphur. Proper management is, of course, an 

 important matter, but plain directions are sent out with the stoves, and there is nothing 

 required of the operator but what ordinary care in the management of a lamp can 

 accomplish. 



Various. — King-street, Tarmouth.—?>oih. subjects next month. Leave the 

 plants alone for the present, but keep them in the stoYQ.— A.B.S. — "We advise you 

 to follow your gas-man's plan, even if a few yai'ds of the creepers on the roof are 

 injured it is not much matter, as they will soon grow again. While the gas is 

 burning give as much air as possible, consistent with the comfoi-t of your guests. 

 The Lo'matia would do out of doors all summer, and in your climate it might stand 

 the winter, but it is a risk. Get rid of it, and try for the same purpose Jacaranda 

 filicifolia. — W. F. F., Salford.—Cnt away about half the rod only, and take care 

 you do not allow it to bear all the fruit it shows. Never mind the worms in the 

 border ; they will disappear in time. 



Height in England op Aeaucahia imbricata.— ^ Suhscriher is anxious to 

 know the greatest height that the Araucaria has attained in England, and the cu'- 

 cumference of trunk at the base, with the average yearly growth. Are the finest 

 specimens to be seen at the Bicton Gardens? Perhaps some of the readers of the 

 Floeal World would kindly answer these questions. 



NEW EOOKS. 



Gems of Natttre and Art. Groombridge and Sons. — This is a drawing-room 

 table book, appropriate to the season when elegant gift-books are in request. Its 

 attractions consist of a series of about thirty coloured plates of bir.ls, flowers, 

 insects, shells, antique curiosities, and bits of scenery, accompanied by descriptions ; 

 the whole inclosed in a gorgeous binding. Whatever may be its literary merits — 

 and as a matter of course no one will criticise the text as they would a new poem 

 or an original history — there can be no question about the perfection of tlie pictures, 

 ■which are truly wonderful as examples of colour-printing. Nor as to the text, is 

 there any room for complaint, for not only are the descriptions truthful and elegant 

 in style, but they comprise notes and observations from such writers as Lord, Hum- 

 phreys, Gosse, Hibberd, Tegetmeier, the Hon. Mary Ward, Darwin, and others of 

 equal repute, and a certain light touch of editorial grace gives harmony and rela- 

 tionship to the whole. We can recommend this sumptuous gift-book as abundantly 

 woith the guinea charged for it. 



Clever Dogs and Horses, with Anecdotes op other Animals. By 

 Shirley Hibherd. Partridge and Co. — A small quarto volume, full of stories and 

 pictures illustrative of the intelligent and individual characters of various animals. 

 Very many of the stories are original, and the result of the author s observation 

 and experience; others are selected from trustworthy authorities. Tiie pictures 

 comprise reproductions from paintings and sketches of Landseer, Eosa Bonheur, 

 Collins, Harrison Weir, and other of the leading artists who have best succeeded in 

 portraying the characters of animals. 



The Garden Oracle for 1869 (Price \s.) is now ready. It contains anew 

 arrangement of tables of land measures, draining, manuring, etc., etc. ; Twelve 

 separate selections of the finest stove and greenhouse flowering and fine foliage 

 plants, both for home decoration and for exhibition ; Descriptions of all the New 

 Plants, Flowers, and Fruits of the Year ; and Selections for 1869 cf the best florists' 

 flowers in all the classes. This is the eleventh issue of the Oracle, which increases 

 in popularity every year* 



