66 THE AQUATIC HOUSE. 



piped to maintain a minimum temperature of 70°. Steam or hot water, which 

 ever is most convenient, will answer. If steam be used, insert a small steam 

 pipe — one-half or three-quarter inch — inside the two-inch pipe, which should 

 be perfectly water-tight, thus forming a hot-air space the entire length of the 

 tank and equalizing the temperature. If hot water be used, one two-inch pipe 

 is sufficient, entering at one end and connecting with a return at the other. A 

 good plan is to build a short piece of pipe into the wall, through which to pass 

 the pipe, afterward corking tight; this will prevent breaking the wall to make 

 connections when the piping is done. In the case of steam heating, no break 

 in the wall is necessary, as the main pipe can be overhead and drop into the 

 tank at one end, and the exhaust can empty into the tank, or it may be con- 

 nected with an exhaust pipe and be conveyed through the wall as recommended 

 for hot water return pipe. 



An overflow and outlet pipe should also be provided. Any size, from one 

 to two inches will answer the purpose; this should be built into the masonry at 

 the bottom and connected with a drain ; the inlet should be a few inches fi'om the 

 wall, with an L piece fitting level with, or slightly below the floor of the tank, 

 the upright piece of pipe should screw easily into the fitting, and should reach 

 to within half an inch of the top of the tank. 



Where only a moderate number of plants is needed, a tank on the side 

 benches may be sufficient for the purpose, yet two would be better than one. 

 They may be twelve feet long, more or less, as the case demands; one should 

 be eight inches deep, the other twelve. These should be made of white pine 

 two inches thick and lined with 16 ounce copper, brazed. To afford means for 

 heating, the wooden bottom may be omitted, save at the ends and one or two 

 cross-tie pieces between, and the tank placed directly over the pipes, which 

 should be boxed in with lumber, to confine the heat, and light T iron bars 

 should be used across the bearers about nine inches apart, making a substan- 

 tial rest for the bottom of the tank. Should it be required, arrangements can 

 be made to have a part of either tank heated several degrees higher than the rest 

 by having a one-inch division board in the tank, fitting it moderately tightly, 

 and making a drop door in the front. An oil lamp or stove can be used for 

 additional heat, and for use during the time when the pipe heat must be shut 

 down in the day when the sun is shining, and ventilation is necessary. 



If no bottom heat be used, the tank will need a two-inch bottom which 

 maybe made of hemlock; the tank being lined with the copper as before 

 advised. Such a tank being portable can be used in any convenient place 



