GRAPES. CULTIVATION, SOIL, ETC. 285 



cistern, the other pipes forming the communication below. 

 Square wooden tubes, or about eighteen inches by twelve, 

 and formed of boards, and connected with the back wall, 

 carry the heated air upwards from the air-chamber, into 

 the highest parts of the house. These tubes are arranged 

 at the distances of about six or eight feet asunder, through- 

 out the whole extent ; the heated air, thus admitted in the 

 back part, soon fills the house. In the front, and in the 

 lowest part of the house, is a walk from end to end ; the 

 bottom of this walk being formed of gratings composed of 

 bars of iron or of wood ; and through these gratings the 

 cooler air descends continually, passing to the rear by sub- 

 terraneous passages, to be heated anew. Thus the circu- 

 lation can be rendered perpetual. 



At that establishment, several distinct buildings are 

 warmed by a single boiler ; the hot water pipes being 

 conducted on the surface of the earth, and protected 

 from the cold by a slight covering. According to Mr. 

 Loudon, Mr. Wilmot even asserts, that, compared with 

 this new system of heating, and of circulation, all other 

 systems are afarce. The pine-apples, also, which are raised 

 by this mode, are stated to be far superior in flavor to all 

 others, artificially raised by other modes. Perkins's system 

 of heating by small hot water pipes, is another new and 

 extraordinary system. The most sanguine hopes and ex- 

 pectations are entertained of its results. 



The most extensive establishment for the cultivation of 

 the vine by the aid of artificial heat, in the United States, 

 is that belonging to Nicholas Biddle, Esq., and situated at 

 his beautiful residence at Andalusia, on the River Dela- 

 ware, but a few miles above the city of Philadelphia. The 

 grape-houses of Mr. Biddle, at this place, comprise ranges 

 of buildings of the extent of 1500 feet, all of which are 

 covered with glass ; and on first-rate authority it is stated, 

 that each extent of one hundred feet in glass, is capable 

 of producing, continuously, grapes worth $3000 per annum. 

 Large quantities of grapes of the first quality are here 

 raised both by in-door cultivation, and by open culture, for 

 the markets of the cities of New York, Philadelphia, and 

 Baltimore. All things at this establishment are conducted 

 on the best of systems ; the grape-houses and gardens 

 being refreshed, in times of drought, by supplies of water 

 furnished by aid of an engine from the river. 



