346 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



to vegetable life, and our plants suffer to an extent that vrill be too 

 plainly shown by future failures. 



Then in connection v/ith piping, I would call the reader's atten- 

 tion to the prodigious size of some boilers, as compared to the extent 

 of pipes they have to heat. There is evidently much room for an. 

 improvement in this branch of heating, for I have seen some in- 

 stances where the boiler has been quite large enough to do double 

 the work it had to do, and where such is the case, there is a great 

 waste of fuel. We have of late had several new forms of boilers 

 introduced, but, from wliat I have seen of them, I consider the old 

 saddle-back form to be the best for all ordinary purposes. In very 

 large gardens a tubular may, perhaps, be the best, but the saddle- 

 back, which is a long way the cheapest, will suffice for the require- 

 ments of amateurs. 



Closely allied to boilers is the use of dampers, but the question 

 is, are they invariably used so much as they ought to be ? I fear 

 not, because it is seldom, if ever, that iustructions are given to 

 those who have the working of them as to the object for which they 

 are intended. Dampers are generally placed too far away from the 

 boiler ; they should be as near as possible, so that when they are 

 used to confine the heat, they may retain about the boiler the fumes 

 and smoke, to the manifest saving of fuel. But, speaking of 

 chimneys, reminds me of an experiment I tried a few winters back. 

 I reduced a 9-iuch chimney (inside measure) to one-half its original 

 size close to the boiler, so that where the heat had previously a 

 superficial square of nine inches to escape up the chimney, it has 

 now only half that space ; the consequence is, I confine a greater 

 body of heat round the boiler, thereby saving about 15 per cent, of 

 fuel, and secure at the same time all the draught I require for the 

 fire for a 4-feet saddle boiler. 



THE GARDEN GUIDE. 



" Next was November; he full grosse and fat 



As fed with lard, aud that right well might seeme ; 

 For he had been a-fatting hogs of late, 



That yet his browes with sweat did reek and steam, 



And yet the season was full sharp and breem ; 

 In planting eeke he took no small delight : 



Whei-eon he rode, not easie was to deeme ; 

 For it a dreadfull centaure was in sight. 

 The seed of Saturne and fair Nais, Chiron hight." 



Spensee. 



HERE are now but few flowers iu the open ground 

 excepting the chrysantliemums, and it is only in favour- 

 able seasons that they present a very attractive appear- 

 ance when fully exposed to the weather. Occasionally 

 the hepaticas, violas, double primroses, mule pinks, and 

 the hardy cyclamens and the oxalis will produce a few flowers during 

 the month. 



The garden work of November includes amongst other important 



