IN STRUCTURES FOR THE GROWTH OF PLANTS. 251 
taining fermenting materials, and a flue which has been used for 
warming the atmosphere of the house; the cost in such a case would 
be little more than nominal in introducing the tank system according 
to the plan laid down in the article alluded to, and almost the entire 
expense incurred by the alteration would be saved in one year in fuel, 
especially in localities where fuel is dear. And even where the entire 
apparatus has to be made, the expense is so much less than that of 
those ordinarily in use, as to recommend it to the attention of all those 
who wish to purchase the pleasures of floriculture at as reasonable a 
cost as possible. 
Still, if cheapness were its only recommendation, it would not be 
worth attention, it is also most efficient in its operation, producing a 
steady, genial, growing warmth, which can be lessened or increased 
according as circumstances, the season of the year, or the kinds of 
plants to be grown may demand. Ina small pit constructed after this 
model not far from this place, I have seen it in admirable operation, 
more especially is it adapted to such plants as produce their flowers 
naturally in the winter season; in the fore-mentioned pit I have seen 
Euphorbia jacquiniflora, Gesneria oblongata, and similar winter 
flowering plants developing and perfecting their inflorescence in a way 
superior to anything I had seen under any other mode of culture. 
Its superiority over the mode of producing bottom heat by means of 
dung, tan, leaves, &c., will be evident when it is recollected that 
“the plan was always attended with trouble and expense. It is 
troublesome, by causing much inconvenience; a quantity of litter and 
dirt is carried about, and in some places where it has to be conveyed 
through neat and cleanly gardens it looks very unsightly, while time 
and trouble are occasioned to restore order. But the chief fault of the 
old plan was the time lost in getting the beds replenished ; for 
instance, the bed of bark becomes cold and dead, and worms, fungus, 
and insects abound, whence it becomes necessary that another bed 
should be speedily prepared. Previously to this, all the tender plants 
and cuttings must be removed and stowed away in any hole or corner 
that presents itself. After some delay the old tan is taken ont, and in 
a day or two the fresh may be ready to be brought in, when the bed 
is again formed; but many days must elapse before it sinks to a 
proper level and consistency, and is ready to receive its tender occu- 
pants. The plants are then removed from their temporary lodgment ; 
but how annoyed must the cultivator be to find that dozens of tender 
cuttings and plants have perished from the want of sufficient care, and 
from exposure to cold.”—(Page 13 of Appendix.) All these evils 
are obviated by the adoption of the tank system. 
Not one of the least advantages of this plan is, that it requires no 
large amount of artistic skill in its erection ; any gardener, amateur, 
or gentleman may, with the assistance of their usual tradesmen and 
the diagrams found in the Appendix, (and the entire volume is worth 
procuring were it only for the sake of it,) carry it out to perfection. 
Not to be further tedious, I would only now add, that the mode of 
producing bottom heat now referred to may be adopted without the 
least hesitation by the merest tyro in the art of plant cultivation, since 
