August 28, 1873. ] 



JOUBNAL OF HOKTICDLTORE AXD COTTAGE GARDENER. 



153 



ty this small amount of gas is nearly exhausted in the cham- 

 ber (which absorbs the radiated heat) and the zigzag funnel, 

 and heats the water in the 30 feet of piping to boiling in about 

 two hours. The whole of the heat, however, is not yet ex- 

 hausted, for there rises steam (which is the product of perfect 

 combustion, and not smoke), from the burning gas through 

 the funnel, which is of about the same temperature as the 

 water in the boiler (il^). This passes into the chimney, and 

 the chimney being in an obUque position does not allow the 

 steam (which is so finely divided when it leaves the funnel 

 that it cannot be seen, but may be felt by placing the hand 

 over it), to pass freely into the air ; while it is detained in the 

 chimney the heat is spent upon the pipe, making it a good 

 heat ; the steam at the same time is condensed into water, and 

 the water thus formed runs down on the inside till it reaches 

 the bottom, where it is caught by a small tube which conveys 

 it to the return pipe of the boiler. The water thus obtained 

 is a never-failing supply, and is more than sufficient to main- 

 tain the waste continually going on in the boiler and pipes. 

 When boiling point has been attained, one-third of the gas 

 may be turned off, the remaining gas being sufficient to keep-up 

 a good heat in the 40 feet of pipes, an extent which, I beUeve, 

 has not been heated by such a small power until now. 



come to see and be seen, who think the band of the Guards 

 far beyond the loveliest banks of flowers ever seen ; and here, 

 too, the real lovers of dowers, who deUght in the opportunity 

 of meeting their brethren, and of having a chat over their 

 favourites, be they Orchids, Roses, or any of the fair denizens 

 of Flora's kingdom. But here I am bound to say the likeness 

 ceases. There is no muddle ; there is the utmost consideration 

 shown to all ; exhibitors are regarded, not as those who are 

 making a good thing out of the Society, but as being the main 

 causes of its success. There may be disappointment ; some 

 have not sent who promised, yet no malediitiou is hurled at 

 them but " We can do without them," the philosophical com- 

 mentary on their failure. Judges are treated with the courtesy 

 due to men who have an onerous but honourable task to fulfil ; 

 I can never call it a thankless one, for in the provinces, at least, 

 we receive thanks in abundance. Secretaries and Committee 

 are of one mind, and all goes smoothly " as a marriage bell." 

 Such has been my experience this year of Leeds and York, and 

 now of Taunton, and I dare to say, from former experience, will 

 be of Manchester. 



The Exhibition this year at Taunton was in many respects a 

 great improvement on that of last year. Prizes of ,i'20, .il5, 

 i'j, and i'3 had been offered for twelve stove and greenhouse 

 plants, and brought together a goodly array of fine plants, the 

 first prize being awarded to Mr. Cypher, of Cheltenham, and 



c. Tube to collect the water. 

 D. Hot-water pipes. 



Apparatus to prevent down- 

 draught. 



F. Reaterg. 

 Dotted lines, another arrangement for pipes. 



From the experiments I have indulged in I gather that if 

 greater heating surface — in the above small boiler there are 

 nearly 200 square inches — were given in boilers, more hot water 

 coold be obtained than in the present systems of heating. If 

 properly managed, the heat which passes up the chimney can 

 be utilised ; and, moreover, in gas-boilers the steam produced 

 by burning gas can be made use of when condensed by the 

 process described. One other difficulty 1 surmounted in my 

 expsriments — I invented a small and simple apparatus to fix 

 on the top of the chimney, which simply makes it impossible 

 for wind to get into the chimney from above to blow out the 

 gas, and at the same time it does not interfere with the up 

 draught. Of this invention I do not now intend to say much, 

 as it has just passed into the hands of a chimney-pot manu- 

 facturer, who intends to bring it out as a chimney-pot which 

 will prevent any rain, hail, or wind getting down a chimney. 

 This invention gave me great satisfaction, for I know many 

 habitations will be benefited which are troubled with rain, 

 hail, and wind being driven down the chimney. — Geo. Smith, 

 'J, Caroline Street, Kendal. 



P.S. — Would you kindly inform me if water or steam from 

 bnmt gas has been made use of in any other heating ap- 

 paratus 7 



TAUNTON DEANE HORTICDLTDRAL AND 

 FLORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

 AoAiJi it has been my pleasant privilege to assist at one of 

 (hose provincial shows which so fully evidence the horticultural 

 tastes of our people, and form so pleasant a means of bringing 

 together both gentle and simple. How one sees human nature 

 is ever the same, whether in town or country ; here, as well as 

 in London, the same groups of anxious e.xhibitors and still 

 more anxions gardeners; here to be seen, too, the man who, 

 Kke the inevitable dog on the Derby-day, must ever appear on 

 the scene, hot and angry because his pet productions have not 

 received the award he at least thought they deserved ; here the 

 same groups who care not a doit about the flowers, but who 



the second to J. E. Saunders, Esq. ; in this the competition was 

 open to all, while in the amateurs' class some excellent plants 

 were also shown. Ferns were exhibited in admirable condi- 

 tion, and I have rarely seen finer masses of Lycopods than 

 those exhibited on this occasion. When I say that Messrs. 

 Kelway & Son exhibited Gladioli, it will be at once seen that 

 there was something worth looking at. Mr. Dobree, an amateur, 

 and a very successful one, exhibited some fine stands. There 

 were also some excellent stands of Asters, both French and 

 German, exhibited by Messrs. Kehvay & Sou, Dobree, and 

 others— stands that would not be out of place at any exhibition. 

 There was, as is usual on the occasion of provincial shows, an 

 excellent display of vegetables and fruit. Among the former 

 were some very beautiful Kidney Potatoes exhibited by Mr. 

 MUlar, of Sherborne, called Lady Paget, a very clean, well- 

 shaped tuber, and which I was assured was equaUy good for use. 



It would be needless to particularise all the excellent things 

 exhibited, and although it may be invidious to single out of so 

 many good things those that were not up to the mark, I must 

 yet say a word anent the table decorations. Good prizes were 

 offered, but they only brought out one competitor, and the 

 table was so poor and mean that the Judges were obliged to 

 withhold the first prize, and had grave doubts whether they ought 

 to give even a second. When I recollect that Miss Hassard 

 has exhibited at a previous show, it cannot be from ignorance 

 of what is correct that this table was set up, and I hope another 

 year may bring a keener contest and a more correct taste. 



The day was evidently regarded as the holiday of tho year ; 

 the town was en fete, shops were closed, and all classes seemed 

 to thoroughly enter into the spirit of the hoUday. As in most 

 of these cases, success is mainly owing to the exertions of a 

 good and indefatigable secretary; and in Mr. Saunders the 

 Society possess one who combines courtesy with zeal, and in 

 endeavouring to gratify the wishes of all concerned, he does not 

 forget that firmness is necessary to keep things straight.— 

 D., Deal. 



Flowers ijj Mexico. — One thing which strikes one pleasantly 

 in Mexico is the wonderful abundance of flowers. All the 

 year round crowds of Indios sit at the street corners in the 



