Greoihouses and Hothouses. 247 



unable to find out what else it has than novelty to recom- 

 mend it. 



To talk of economy in combustion is not less absurd than 

 economy of cost, since the loss of heat amounts to more 

 than one-fourth of its whole heating power. In several in- 

 stances I have lighted a piece of paper at the top of a chim- 

 ney of an apparatus similar to Meek's, and in others I have 

 measured the amount of heat proceeding from the chimney, 

 and found it as much as 180°. Here is a waste of heat which 

 cannot be justified by any contingent advantages, while, in 

 reality, no advantages are gained to justify the loss. Meek's 

 apparatus may answer the purpose of heating a house, and 

 may do it as efficiently as a common smoke-flue, but then 

 where is the economy ? 



I might here ask the question, — a question which appears 

 to have escaped the inquiry of Polmaisers on this side of the 

 Atlantic — If Polmaise be what its advocates call it, and pos- 

 sess all the merits its admirers claim for it, why has it not 

 stood the test of experience ? Why so many alterations and 

 improvements upon the original simplicity of Mr. Murray's 

 system? At first we were gulled into the belief, that "a 

 hole in the wall, a wet blanket, and a small furnace" were 

 all that were necessary to warm a hothouse of any dimen- 

 sions : this plan was tried and proved to be a total failure. 

 Then we have a host of improvements little better than 

 itself; and, lastly, we have the somewhat scientific system of 

 Mr. Meek, approaching still nearer in its properties to its 

 formidable rival, the old smoke-flue ; but still as much in- 

 ferior to it as crabs are to pippins. 



Another question of considerable importance is suggested 

 by the statement of my correspondent, and requires a little 

 more consideration and inquiry to enable us to come at the 

 truth. If Polmaise be unsuitable for large houses, why is it 

 the best system for small ones ? and vice versa. I think if 

 any one will attentively study the effects of a heating appa- 

 ratus, in its application to the atmosphere of a hothouse, he 

 cannot fail to be struck with the strange obliquity of some 

 people's observations upon this subject. In fact, this acknowl- 



