44 THE GRAPE. 



greater price mentioned, the expense would be two hun- 

 dred and fifty dollars, but for a longer house, or when a 

 larger order were given, the comparative cost would be less. 



Brick Flues. Heating by brick flues is often practised, 

 and if they be constructed on the best method, with good 

 workmanship, they answer very well ; the expense on 

 first erection is less it is true, but they often want repair, 

 besides which they are unsightly and cumbersome, and as 

 a general thing, will consume more fuel than a hot-water 

 boiler on the above plan. If the situation, or circum- 

 stances, make it more convenient to burn wood instead of 

 coal or coke, then the flue is to be preferred ; in such case 

 the furnace should be large, and the draft be under the 

 control of the operator, by having a door in front of the 

 ash-pit, and a damper in the chimney, which, when closed, 

 more or less, as may be wished, will keep the fire steady. 



There are some cultivators who still cling to the flue for 

 grape-growing, on account of the drying effects of the heat 

 evolved, which, as they assert, is of some importance in 

 damp weather, when the grapes are coloring, or ripe, and 

 that at other times they can use evaporating pans. True, 

 it is dry enough, even to parching ; and were this the only 

 time when it would be required, the flue would answer the 

 best purpose. But this point is a matter of very little 

 consideration, as the same can be secured by pipes heated 

 with hot water. Nothing can be more erroneous than to 

 suppose that heat given out on the latter principle con- 

 tains moisture ; were it so, the water would waste consid- 

 erably through the pores of the metal, which is not the 

 case, for all or nearly the whole of the evaporation which 

 takes place is at the filling up tank, and if this be kept 

 covered, the working of a night will not lessen the water 

 more than a few pints. Heat, from whatever sources ob- 

 tained, will absorb moisture, and as glass houses are not 



