254 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



iums and Aphelandras, were dried to a shrivel, presenting an appearance 

 as if scorched. After repeated trials and experiments, I found it was the 

 tiles used in covering the flue that was the cause. They were purchased 

 somewhere in Boston, and made for the inside lining of a baker's oven. 

 Upon examining them they appear very hard in composition, white in color 

 and compact in texture, resembling somewhat a hard-burnt fire brick, but 

 not so coarse. 



There is no doubt but they are the cause of the disaster, for in a cold 

 night, when it is required to heat them pretty hot to keep the temperature 

 of the house to about 60°, much danger is done, when in a warmer night it 

 may be up to 70 without doing any damage, which establishes fully that it 

 is the extent to which they are heated. The plants are affected in the 

 same manner as if held over red hot iron. 



I may add that I have mitigated the effects greatly, if not altogether, by 

 placing over the flue a layer of charcoal dust about one inch or more in 

 thickness, but next to the furnace it soon burns away and has to be supplied 

 constantly. 



If you think tliis communication worthy your notice please give such 

 information through your invaluable Magazine as you think fit ; also men- 

 tion what sort of tiles or covering for flues are best, whether hard or soft, 

 or coarse or fine in composition, and where they are to be purchased ; and, 

 also, if common fire brick would produce such effects, for the sides of the 

 flue are built with such.— Fom?-s ^c. W. M., Feb. 14, 1855. 



[We think our correspondent will find on careful investigation, that it is 

 not the tiles which have been the cause of the injury to his plants. They 

 may be hard burnt or compact in texture, and heated to a great degree 

 without danger to the health of plants. Such effects as are spoken of can 

 only be caused by a leakage in the flue, allowing of the escape of sulphur- 

 ous gas, which is destructive to all vegetation. We have seen its effects 

 in our own houses, and in some instances have been unable to ascertain 

 where the leakage was ; the only alternative was to take off the tiles and 

 plaster the flue on the inside, when no more damage was sustained. "They 

 oflen give way on the bottom, out of sight, and out of the way of repair 

 from the exterior, and when such effects are continued as our correspondent 

 describes, they must be treated as we treated ours, or be rebuilt. 



We have never seen flues built on the sides with fire brick ; but unless 

 they admit of the escape of gas we do not see how they could produce any 

 injurious effects. The best tiles for covering a flue are those well burnt, 

 being neither hard nor soft, and perfectly free from cracks. — En.] 



Death of Thomas Hancock. — We are pained to announce the de- 

 cease of Mr. Thomas Hancock, nurseryman, Burlington, N. J. He died 

 afler a short illness on the 21st of March, in the 51st year of his age. 



