THE PLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 5 



subscriptions amount to £58 33. 9cl. The amount expended in prizes, in Jmie last, 

 was £23 Is. ; and in Sapteraber, £18 fis. 6d. 



Sir W. J. Hooker's Riport on the Royal Gardens at Kevr, reiterates the "cryiu:; 

 need of a new conservatory." The once celebrated collection of Pines, Araucaria?, 

 Proteas, &c., are fast declining beyond recovery. An important feature in the present 

 management, to which special allusion is made in the report, is the appropriation of a 

 portion of ground as a nursery for the supply of trees to the metropolitan parks. So 

 great was the demand for trees in the new parks in 1854-5, " that suitable kinds could 

 not be procured in the market. Tliis nursery has tlrriven so wel], as to alTord already 

 to the metropolitan parks in the winter of 1856-7 1,010 trees, chiefly Planes and Elms, 

 and during the present season, 4,100, wiiile a considerable stock, in the most healthy 

 condition, remams for future similar use." The Gardener's Chronicle has lately made 

 a tilt at Mr. Smitli, the Curator at Kcw, in regard to the treatment of tlie collection of 

 orchids. "The Curatoi'," says the Chronicle, "never knew how to manage them." 

 The Cottage Gardener comes to the rescue of Mr. Smith, and manfully vindicates him 

 from so damaging a cliarge, proving, by Dr. Lindley's own words, that the ruin of tht 

 orchids was no afiair of Mr. Smith's, but a person over whom Mr. Smith had no con- 

 trol, and who was at last got rid of for a successor who is fast restoring them to a 

 state of health. This is another of Dr. Lindley's mistakes. When the Doctor denied 

 that clnysanthemums were dressed for show, the florists took a hearty laugh at him, 

 and learnt how little use is a profound knowledge of botany to a man who would 

 take upon liimself to be a judge of florists' flowers. 



THOMSONS GAS STOVE. 



As a matter of fair dealing, we give insertion to the following communications on a 

 subject which has been ventilated in one way in the pages of the " Floral World." In doing 

 so, however, we cannot refrain from expressing our surprise that Messrs. Thomson should 

 have remained silent so long. 



Sir, — You will oblige us, and probably manj' of your readers, if you will publish the 

 following letters in the " Flora l World." We could send you several such, but these will 

 suffice to give a peep behind the scenes, and show how matters are managed by the 

 potentate that rules the destinies of the Gardeners' Chronicle. Mr. Christie's position and 

 character in Edinburgh, place whatever he states above suspicion in the estimation of all 

 who know him. Xo. 1 was sent to the Gardeners' Chronicle at the request of the editor 

 for information, but, not being tlie article in demand, was not inserted. No. 2 speaks for 

 it-elf, and has received no reply up to this date (Oct. 15). — We are, your obedient 

 servants, Kobt. Thomson and Sons, 



(Copy) No. 1. 

 (To the Editor of the Gardeners" Chronicle.') 



Sir. — I observe a paragraph in your numbf-r of 24th of July last, respecting "Thomson's 

 Hot Water Stoves," and requesting information "regardini; their efficiency or otherwise 

 from those who have used them." I have had one of these stoves in use fur nearly 

 twelve months, and after close observation, the following appear to me to be its pre- 

 eminent qualities, and their necessary results : — 



Qualities. • 1. Simplicity of construction. — 2. A large surface exposed to hot-water. — 

 3. The products of combustion being carried off by a flue. — 4. Economic in its consump- 

 tion of gas. 



Sequences. — Easily managt'd. — An equally large heating surface, and that not oi dry 

 arid metal. — No noxious vapours are dispersed through the apartments. — Can be used at a 

 very trifling cost. 



Having paid a good deal of attention to the subject, I believe I have seen nearly all 

 the difterent kinds of gas stoves in use, but in none is the absence of noxious fumes and 

 disagreeable odours so apparent as in '1 homson's stove. Fulfilling as it do s the con- 

 ditions above stated, I am quite at a loss to understand how, in an}* instance, it should 

 have f liled to give satisfaction ; indeed, it appears to me that nothing short of the 

 grossest blund'^ring could account for its failure. With me it has always fulfilled the 

 qualities I have enumerated, which 1 was led to understand it possessed, and with these I 

 am perfectly satisfied. — 1 am, Sir, your obedient servant, John Chkxstie. 



