JANUARY. 5 



tight. In all cases of flue building use as little mortar as possible. A 

 flue, such as we have just described, will heat a house sufficient for our 

 purpose 35 feet long ; but when the houses run much larger two should 

 be employed, one at each end ; they will meet in the middle and return 

 to the fireplace, where the chimney should be placed, with a damper to 

 stop the draught when required. 



Besides the above, we have latel}^ tried earthenware pipes, or large 

 drain pipes, with a socket for forming a secure joint to each ; what we 

 have in use are 11 inch bore, and no mode of heating we have hitherto 

 tried so effectually answered the purpose ; the pipes should be selected 

 strong, or there will be danger from their bursting with a fierce fire. 

 The heat becomes after a time dry, but this can easily be corrected ; and 

 for late Grapes and a variety of other purposes they possess manifest 

 advantages, to which we shall more particularly allude. 



In recommending flues at all, even for late Grapes, &c., we may 

 perhaps be thought "antiquated" in our practice. Our object is to 

 obtain Grapes cheaply, and we wish to keep out of the way of the 

 engineer, and as much as possible of the carpenter and glazier. The 

 Grapes in our domestic Vineries will be none the worse for this, and if 

 we can show how these erections can be carried out without the expense 

 of employing "professionals " we shall do much towards bringing a good 

 crop of Grapes within the reach of hundreds of individuals, who are 

 reasonably enough frightened at plans, specifications^ and estimates, and 

 the long bill which inevitably follows in the train. 



THE NEW DAHLIAS OF 1854. 



The brief editorial comments appended to my last paper remind me 

 that a word or two of explanation is due to my readers, in order that 

 we may fully comprehend the position we occupy in relation to each 

 other. Let me frankly acknowledge then, once for all, that in the 

 observations I have made, and the opinions I have expressed respecting 

 the growing and the showing of the Dahlia, I wish to disclaim, in toto, 

 the assumption of such an acquaintance with the subject as would justify 

 me — even were I so disposed — in constituting myself an authority on 

 the question. In truth, my sphere of observation is too limited, and my 

 organ of self-esteem not sufficiently developed, for any such assumption 

 on my part. Why then — it may be asked — do I venture to obtrude 

 myself before the public ? Simply this : it is only by the free inter- 

 change of opinions that we arrive, by slow degrees, at the truth. By 

 this means crudities are dispelled, prejudices removed, doubts solved, 

 and erroneous impressions eradicated. And it is well to remember 

 that we have, usually, as much to unlearn as to learn, before we can 

 render ourselves masters of our subject — be it whatever it may. 

 Having previously expressed an opinion that the Florist is a legitimate 

 medium for such intercommunication, I scruple not to avail myself of 

 the facilities offered by its pages. I may affirm, moreover, in all 



