Progress of Horticulture for 1843. 11 



we first attempted to heat a small greenhouse by means of 

 a brick gutter, but finally gave up the plan on account of 

 not being able to connect the pipes with the gutter, in such 

 a manner as to prevent continual leakage: and in 1839 we 

 published in our Magazine (Vol. V., p. 418), a new and 

 improved mode of heating pits, by tanks of hot water, illus- 

 trating our plan with engravings. That plan is precisely 

 the same as that said to have been discovered by Mr. 

 Rendle in 1841. Those who have read the account of his 

 plan can compare it with ours, and note the exact similarity. 

 During the past autumn we have had erected in the nur- 

 sery of Messrs. Hovey & Co., at Cambridge, a new green- 

 house and propagating house, which is heated by water 

 circulating in brick gutters ; and so far it appears to work 

 well. As it has just been completed, we shall wait for 

 further trial, and note the results of the method at a future 

 time. The house in which it is erected is span-roofed, 

 84 feet long and 25 feet wide. 



Commercial Gardens. 



Nurseries are rapidly increasing in all parts of the coun- 

 try. A constant and steady demand for trees, perhaps 

 more than equal to the supply, has induced a great many 

 individuals to enter into this business, with the hope of se- 

 curing their share of trade. We are really glad to see so 

 much attention devoted to the cultivation of trees, shrubs, 

 and plants, yet we cannot but think that those who have 

 taken up the business, from a supposition that any one can 

 follow it, will be much deceived in the end. If there is 

 any business which requires a thorough knowledge of its 

 duties, it is that of the nurseryman ; years of labor and ex- 

 perience will alone enable him to successfully prosecute his 

 business. 



We alluded last year to the death of Mr. Manning, which 

 occurred a short time previous to the appearance of our 

 article for 1842. The nursery is now carried on by his 

 sons, and we believe in excellent condition. Our notes 

 made on a recent visit will be found in the last volume, at 

 p. 425. Upwards of one hundred and sixty varieties of 

 pears fruited the last year, and some of them quite new. 

 Scions are furnished of all the kinds cultivated. 



Mr. J. C. Lee and Messrs, Putnam of Salem, are, we 

 believe, about entering into the nursery business. Mr. 



