THE 



FLORICULTURAL CABINET, 



MARCH 1st, 1S38. 



PART I. 



ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



ARTICLE I. 



ON THE RELATIVE MERITS OF IRON AND WOOD ROOFS FOR 

 STOVES, GREENHOUSES. &c, 



BY J. THOMSON NURSERYMAN AND LANDSCAPE GARDENER, AND HOT HOUSE 

 DESIGNER, BEULAH SPA, CROYDON, SURREY. 



With practical observations and calculations on the consumption 

 of Fuel, breakage of Glass, Sfc. under both kinds of roofs 

 made during fifteen years practice as gardener to the Duke 

 of Northumberland at Sion House, at Kew, and elsewhere ; 

 with an account of several years observations made on 

 heating and forcing, houses with common Flues, Steam 

 Boilers, and with six of the most approved systems of Jieating 

 by hot rvater .• also a description of his Economic wrought iron 

 Egg-shaped Boiler, the invention of the Writer, which has 

 given general satisfaction for the efficacy and simplicity of 

 its construction, and its economy of fuel and labour. 



Knowing that a great diversity of opinion exists as to what 

 description of materials are of most avail in the construction of 

 roofs, for stoves, greenhouses, and other buildings intended for 

 the culture of fruit, and of tropical and other exotic plants ; and 

 having had for years the management of extensive ranges of 

 glass at Sion House and other places where the lightSxand rafters 

 were constructed both of cast iron and wood, I am induced to 

 Vol. VI. No. 61. f 



