290 TH^ FLORIST. 



BOTTOM HEAT. 



In continuing this subject, our next object will be to direct attention to 

 the appUcation of bottom heat to the forcing of fruits and vegetables, 

 using glass as a protective material or not, as circumstances dictate. 

 In recommending the application of bottom heat for this purpose we by 

 no means wish it to be understoood that we are broaching a new 

 subject, as from time immemorial early vegetables have been brought 

 forward principally through this aid. Gardeners employ hot dung, 

 leaves, tan, &c., largely in forcing Rhubarb, Seakale, Potatoes, 

 Asparagus, &c. ; for although the heating material is placed chiefly on 

 the surface, the earth gets warmed to a sufficient depth to reach and 

 give an impulse to the roots ; besides, the case is every year presented 

 to us by gardeners applying hot dung or other fermenting materials to 

 the surface of fruit tree borders, when being forced at an early season, 

 to warm the borders, and to enable the roots of the forced trees (by 

 encouraging their vitality) to provide for and supply the wants of the 

 growing plant. The principle being thus established by constant 

 practice, it remains for us to show that what is generally effected with 

 much trouble, attended with an unsightly appearance and some risk as 

 regards its uniform working, can be more easily, and in a large number 

 of cases more economically, carried out by a system of hot water pipes. 

 A few of our best gardeners have already put in practice so decided 

 an improvement. Mr. Fleming, of Trentham, has an admirable plan 

 of heating the borders of his early Vineries, albeit hot dung is the medium 

 he uses. Mr. Shearer, of Yester Park, and Mr. Breadley, at Somer- 

 leyton, and Mr. Purday's gardener, at Bayswater, have each the borders 

 of their principal forcing houses heated by hot water pipes ; and 

 although its application to the forcing of vegetables has hitherto been less 

 nractised, we know that Mr. Ingram, of the Royal Gardens, Frogmore, 

 has most successfully applied hot water piping to the forcing of Asparagus 

 with very decided success, and further that many others are following 

 him in this particular. 



The great want of success in forcing early fruits, as the Vine, Peach, 

 and Apricot, in this country, may in a great measure be attributed to 

 the coldness of the soil in which the roots of the forced plants have to 

 grow. Most of our forcing houses (with a little better attention perhaps 

 to ventilation) are well enough adapted for our purpose, but a fault 

 is frequently committed in preparing the borders for the reception of 

 the trees, that is, in making them too rich. Gardeners are not exempt 

 from the laudable ambition o^ wishing to excel their neighbours, and 

 therefore we find that when the opportunity of making a Vine or Peach 

 border falls in their way, they are very anxious the produce should be 

 better than common, and the chances are that a border is made as rich 

 and as stimulating as can be for promoting a luxuriant growth, and 

 producing fruit which shall ecHpse all competitors. However this may 

 answer for a time, the rains and snow of winter (unless a vast amount 

 of care has been bestowed on the drainage and elevation of the border) 

 will soon convert it into a damp, and consequently a cold, state (for 



