152 ' THE GARDENER. [April 



In tlie following papers we sliall give a descriptive list of most 

 species of Nepenthes at present cultivated in our gardens, as well as 

 hints on the culture of Sarracenia, Darlingtonia, and Cephalotus, also 

 commonly known in gardens as " Pitcher-Plants," though essentially 

 distinct from the true Pitcher-Plants, or Nepenthes. F. W. 13. 



TEMPERATURE OF FORCING-HOUSES. 



In the December number of the ' Gardener ' I made a few remarks on 

 this subject. They were principally put forward in the form of 

 queries, and in a way (I thought) so as not to hurt the prejudices of 

 any one, knowing that a wide difference of opinion existed on the 

 matter. The subject was, however, interesting and important at a time 

 when the j^rice of coal had reached a figure which is already seriously 

 impeding the progress of horticulture. It appears, however, that there 

 are always some people who, like the Irishman, are spreading out 

 their coat-tails to be trodden upon, and amongst this class is clearly 

 to be reckoned your Broughty-Ferry correspondent, " D. J." His re- 

 marks, which he calls an array of facts (! !), are likely to have but 

 scant consideration, placed as they are in uncomfortable juxtaposition 

 to your own excellent leader on the same subject ; and his situation 

 is not at all likely to be improved by a critical analysis of his well- 

 considered paper. In the course of business I am in the habit of 

 passing frequently a certain street orator, a " high-pressure reformer 

 on general principles," as Artemus Ward would say — whose great forte 

 consists in knocking down his imaginary opponents in argument ; but 

 then, he sets them up himself, and having placed them in the most 

 assailable position, he proceeds to demolish them in the most signal 

 manner. Now "D. J." reminds me forcibly of my spouting acquaint- 

 ance of the street corner. To accept the plain reading, or even the 

 words of the text, in my December paper, did not suit his purpose 

 exactly, and so he proceeds to alter both to his satisfaction, and having 

 accomplished this, he sets himself np to ''put down" "J. S." and 

 " such-like " (how very courteous I) and he is quite ready to give us 

 facts for "a lifetime," if he thinks it "worth his while." Surely the 

 Editor will never permit such an oracle, and one so modest withal, to 

 be lost to the readers of the ' Gardener,' but will exert those per- 

 suasive powers which editors know so well how to use, to induce this 

 colossus of the "north," who wields his pen as he would a spade, to 

 come forth and lend us his aid. 



Now for " D. J.'s " handy way of " putting it." He says, " According 

 to the opinion of -J. S.' we may haul out our boilers and pipes." I 



