HEATING GREENHOUSES, ETC. 101 



growth (if such it can be called) at all seasons, must not be permitted 

 to inhabit an erection where the thermometer shall fall below 55 

 degs. But if the lovers of plants be content to let the verdure of a 

 good, airy, dry greenhouse, be supplied by Camellias, Heaths, 

 Myrtles, Orange- trees, and the like ; and to suffer a number of lovely 

 flowering stove plants to sink into repose during November, Decem- 

 ber, and the half of January ; they may try the aid of a vinery, or 

 even of a pit, with a flue in it, indulge their taste, and excite the 

 Chinese Hibiscus, (Hisbiscus Uoza Sinensis) and all its single and 

 double varieties— the fragrant, West Indian Brunsfelsia, (B. 

 Americana) the elegant purple Guava (Psidium Catleyanum) the 

 coffee — (Coffea Arabica.) All the Gasnera and Gloxineas — cum 

 multis alies — to renewed life and perfection. 



I, this winter, from unavoidable alterations, had all my stove 

 plants exposed to direct frost; many to five or six degrees of it; and 

 now by the aid of a vinery at work, kept very moist, have brought 

 numbers into complete healthy verdure. 



I do not recommend any dangerous experiment, nor would I ad- 

 vise any one to expose his plants to a depression below 40 degrees ; 

 sooner than do so, I would place them in a dark cellar : but T cer- 

 tainly have seen proof of what many plants can endure ; and there- 

 fore, am quite satisfied that a very gratifying addition may be made 

 to collections of subjects possessing surpassing •beauty, without in- 

 curring any risk of a loss from causes which would prove entirely 

 destructive to a common Geranium. 



March 8th, 1836. 



ARTICLE V.— ON HEATING GREENHOUSES, &c. 

 pr c. 



The defeat of the present different modes of heating structures for 

 horticultural purposes, is the daily occurrence of the trouble of man- 

 aging the fire required. To obviate this inconvenience, a cistern 

 containing several hogsheads of water might he substituted for the 

 pipes now in general use : and a reservoir of heat obtained which 

 would last for several days. 



The cistern might be adapted to form the under part of the pit of 

 a striking-house, facing the north : and so contrived as to communi- 

 cate warmth to a greenhouse adjoining the back of it, facing the 

 south. 



A rough sketch of the plan is subjoined : and if you think the idea 

 worthy consideration, I should be glad to see a notice of it in your 



