102 



Heating Horticultural Buildings. 



It might, however, be well to have the pit wider ; but of 

 this individuals can best judge for themselves. A pit of this 

 size, and heated in this manner, will be found exceedingly 

 useful. When not wanted for melons, cucumbers may, of 

 course, be grown all the season ; and it will also be found 

 an excellent place for propagation, as well as for forcing 

 flowers in the winter. 



The pine pits, as shown in the ground plan and sections, 

 {figs. 4 and 5,) I consider a very excellent arrangement. 

 From my experience in working it, I may mention, that I 

 have found nothing defective in it, nor am I aware that any 

 improvement could be made in it, either as regards simplicity 

 or efficiency. It is, however, rather expensive, both with re- 

 gard to erection and fuel. 



The annexed plan, {fig. 8,) shows a method considered 



Fig. 8. Section of a Pine Pit. 



a Cast iron gutters for hot water, 12 inch- 

 es by 5 ; they are connected with the 

 boiler by pipes, and as they are level 

 until their union with the pipes, there 

 need be only half an inch of water, if 

 this be found to answer best 5 they are 

 said to absorb less of the heat, and to be 

 less liable to get out of repair, than 

 those built of brick and cement. 

 b Cast iron standard. 

 c Stone covers. 



d Coarse rubble. 



e .Soil, or any light earth for plunging the plants. 



/" Flued wall for admitting warm air into the pit. 



£• Flue. 



by many to be a great improvement, and it evidently is so 

 with regard to fuel, from the fact that the flue is always 

 more than sufficient for atmospheric heat. The expense of 

 the pipes in the tank is also nearly saved. I, however, have 

 a great objection to flues, in any shape or form in which they 

 may be used ; but I am aware, that, in combination with an 

 open tank, there is no difficulty of keeping the atmosphere 

 sufficiently moist, and I must in justice add, that, where I 

 have seen this in operation, the health of the plants have 

 shown, that, with good management, most excellent speci- 



