164 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 
[Mar. 14, 
stems make excellent fuel, or may be employed for 
cattle feed whether green or dry. 
Mr. Fonsvru, of Alton Towers, speaks thus of 
the Jerusalem Artichoke :— 
“I have grown the Jerusalem Artichoke so as to 
produce a greater weight of tubers than Ash-leaved 
Kidney Potatoes generally produce, and in addition to 
this it yielded of eatable stems, a standing crop of 12 ft. 
It bears frost on the tuber with impunity ; it is full of 
eyes, buds, or sets, more so than Potatoes ; it requires 
rich land, and plenty of sun and air, as it is notoriously 
late in forming its tubers, I have cultivated it as food 
for game ; pheasants devour it greedily in winter, and 
as the frost does not affect it, it requires no further 
attention than to be scattered in the covers. I have 
a good deal to say regarding the value of this plant for 
agriculture, but your columns are too crowded now with 
the Potato question to admit of its being entered upon 
fully—suffice it to say, that it is a wholesome vegetable 
of the easiest culture, not subject to any disease, al- 
though it never gets good usage, and I think there are 
few gardens of any note that could not supply a good 
stock of it, if it were looked up from the rubbish 
among which its lot is generally cast. In growing it 
for the tubers, the stems must be topped at 3 feet, and 
it is only when young that cattle could eat the stems ; 
it is a sure cropper, and consequently may be relied 
on, and can be used (if better is not to be had) as food 
for man; and if it fails in this, it will fatten pigs, and 
feed milk cows.” 
Of course we would not have anybody crop his 
land exclusively with any one of these things ; they 
will be most valuable when made to form the basis 
of a cottager’s husbandry, as, for example, in some 
such manner as that proposed by Mr. Stratton, of 
Eastington, near Stroud, namely, that a part of the 
land be immediately planted with Hollow-crowned 
Parsnip and Carrots, the remainder with early Peas, 
reserving a small portion for the purpose of sowing, 
as soon as possible, some Savoy Cabbage, Winter 
Greens, &c., &c., so that when the Peas are har- 
vested, a portion of the land may be planted with 
the same, and the remaining part with Turnips. 
The Peas, he observes, will be nutritious food dur- 
ing winter, and should there be. an objection as to 
boiling them, that may be overcome by first boiling 
them in water with a small portion of soda, from 
which they must be strained before using for soup. 
But these are matters which all intelligent cultiva- 
tors can judge of for themselves, and to which we 
may perhaps direct attention hereafter. In the 
meanwhile we would invite attention to two ex- 
cellent papers on mized crops, which will be found 
in another column. 
Tue importance of Grass to gardeners, and the 
part which this Journal has taken in the price of it 
greater control over their workmen, they cannot give 
the full benefit of their exertions to the public. 
o. 5. It would be impossible to point out any alter- 
ation made by Sir Robert Peel so signally successful as 
the repeal of the glass duties, more especially those re- 
lating to window glass. The supply has not been able 
to meet the demand; and from the scarcity of work- 
men, wages have risen fully 30 per cent. Previous to 
repeal there were 18 crown and 5 sheet houses : total, 
23. Presently at work, 23 crown and 12 sheet : total, 
35. In addition to the above, the new houses are 5 
crown, 1 sheet, and 2 half crown and half sheet : total 
new, 8; making in all, 43 furnaces ; being nearly double 
the number at work before the repeal; and the quan- 
tity of window glass manufactured is supposed [to be 
nearly double. Four other establishments are projected, 
which will probably make glass within 6 months. 
Nearly the whole of the glass made has been consumed in 
the country ; any little export has been to order, and 
no consignments as formerly. The increased consump- 
tion arises partly from reduction in price ; and a new 
outlet has arisen from the demand for horticulture, 
which is becoming a trade of itself, and is yet in its 
infancy. 
It hence appears that up to the present time the 
glass makers have been no sufferers from the com- 
petition that has been excited ; and it is clear that, 
notwithstanding the enormous quantity of foreign 
glass brought over to England, the home trade was 
never in a more flourishing condition than it now is. 
We are happy to add, that this national gain has 
not been effected by any sort of private suffering ; 
for although the repeal of the duties has reduced 
the cost of the Excise establishment to the extent 
of 59,6361. a year, yet the official return informs us 
that most of the officers discontinued in conse- 
quence of these reductions have already been pro- 
vided for, and the remainder of those who are ca- 
pable of further service will, it is expected, be re- 
employed in the course of the next six months. 
POLMAISE HEATIN 
Your correspondent, “J. K.” has, I am sure, 
judged rightly in supposing that. your object is to elicit 
by discussion the relative advantages of different sys- 
tems of heating, and not to support any one in particu- 
lar, at all events, till its superior merits are proved ; and 
surely the advocates of Polmaise Heating will be the 
first to confirm this statement; as, had such not been 
your object, Polmaise had been smothered in its birth. 
Itrust that this is the common object of us all, and 
that we shall ber we are ding r 
victory but truth. Before answering your different 
correspondents I will, for the benefit both of your 
readers and Polmaise, make a plain statement of the 
case as it stands up to the present time. This shall be 
as concise as possible. 
On the 27th of July, 1844, a statement appeared in 
the Chronicle, from- Mr. Murray, of-a new mode of 
since the repeal of the'duties; renders the following 
extracts from an Excise Return just laid before 
Parliament extremely interesting :— 
Extracts from Letters received (by Mr. Woon, the 
Chairman of Excise,) from Glass Manufacturers in 
various parts of England, on the present state of the 
Glass Trade. 
heating a hothouse, with a short account of some of its 
results ; a more lucid and unvarnished statement never 
appeared in your pages, nor one bearing more clearly 
the impression of simple truth. It gave little explana- 
tion of its mode of action, but it furnished us with a 
* great fact; and I wish all your readers who take an 
interest in this subject would again refer to this com- 
No. 1. The necessary susp of operations pending 
the equitable adjustment of drawbacks, and the admi- 
rable facilities to all branches of the trade by your 
department, left us all without stocks to commence the 
new era, The manufacturer had then to meet an in- 
creased demand after the remission of duty; conse- 
quently in no branch has the supply been yet equal to 
the home demand, and export orders have been supplied 
to a great extent by foreign glass imported under bond. 
Manufacturers have availed themselves of the increased 
demand to keep up the price; an increase of works has 
been the consequence ; and foreign workmen have been 
imported, which has occasioned a scarcity of hands on 
the Continent. These remarks apply more particularly 
to blown window-glass. Immediately after the repeal 
of duty, the demand for crown, sheet, and plate glass, 
became excessive, so that orders could not be supplied, 
and continues so ; additional houses have commenced 
working, and large companies are forming at Hull, 
Dublin, and Belfast; that at Hull with a capital of | G 
200,0007. The great difficulty is the want of a sufficient 
number of skilful mechanics. 
No. 3. None in our branch (window glass) bad any 
notion that the demand would have been so extraordi- 
nary as it has proved. The extra make, since the re- 
peal, could not be less than 50 per dent. Besides the 
to Sla week. In the meantime the Belgians 
have been obliged to advance their men's wages, and 
some are entirely laid up for want of men, as about 200 
of their best workmen have been abstracted by the 
temptation of extravagant wages here. The best crown 
lass makers are How making 38s. {to 40s. per week; 
renchmen, 57.- '/ 
No.4. We have exchanged the excise for a much 
severer taskmaster, videlicet, our own men ; and mat- 
ters are not likely to mend. So long as the labour sup- 
ply is below demand, they dictate whom we shall or 
shali not employ, and what number of aprentices we 
The following week, Mr. Glendinning, without any 
denial of the facts, attacked it. He stated only two ob- 
jections—1st, that the heated air was brought in at the 
back of the house instead of the front ; 2dly, that it ad- 
mitted air from without to keep up a healthy atmo- 
sphere. Is it possible that Mr. Glendinning objected to 
that which most horticulturists insist upon as essential 
to vegetable health? Is it possible Mr. Glendinning 
used these words—‘ that if the house had been heated 
by hot water, it would be unnecessary to admit fresh 
air from without?” On the 24th of August, Mr. 
Mackenzie writes to say that he has seen the Vinery at 
Polmaise, that there are many systems of heating, but 
he has seen none so simple and efficacious !—Vine and 
Grapes alike extraordinary, competitors beaten, and, 
most important of all, that the greatest difference in the 
temperature between the hottest and coldest part of the 
house was only 5°! On the 7th of September, Mr. 
lendinning, not contradicting Mr. Mackenzie’s facts, 
expresses his surprise that any one should defend such 
a system on such grounds ; thatis, we are not to judge 
by results! He points out the evil of smoke-flues, but 
not those of Polmaise. On the 28th of September, Mr. 
Murray furnished us with another «great fact.” 
had exhibited Grapes, and beaten eight competitors. 
He prediets his plans will supersede flues and pipes, 
being cheaper, more easily managed, and requiring less 
fuel, &e. The same Number contains an invitation 
from MrlMackenzie to Glendinning 
see the Vinery, and to judge for himself. Then followed 
a letter from Mr, Henderson, stating that it might not 
be right to ascribe all the effects at Polmaise to the 
heating apparatus, while much might be owing to other 
circumstances ; that further evidence was required, 
especially as to the power of early forcing. Mr. 
Glendinning, apparently not having accepted Mr. 
Mackenzie’s invitation, repeats his first objection (not 
the second), says that it is fatal to any system ! and 
this in spite of results, and the statement that the 
variation of the thermometer in different parts of the 
house was only 59. And then, alas! for the first time, 
shall receive, Until the‘{manufacturers can} exercise 
personalities were introduced ; and these being replied to 
Mr. Gl to come and | % 
in a similar manner, you were compelled to state, that 
while your own opinion was not unfavourable to the 
system, its discussion had better be discontinued. Thus 
was the consideration of a subject, deserving strict and 
immediate investigation, postponed for twelve months, in 
consequence of its having assumed a personal character. 
While I do not conceal my earnest desire to establish a 
system which my physical knowledge tells me is best 
fitted to attain its end, I sincerely trust that it will not 
lead either myself or others to the slightest expression 
of invective. 
On the 27th of December, 1845 (more than a year 
since the last unfortunate communication), appeared a 
paper signed “C.” reviving the subject, pointing. its 
peculiar ad ion to Vine-growing, k ing the 
facts p ly stated, and expressing a wish to see 
the attempt extended to other things. On the 3d 
of January, in the present year, appeared the first 
Leading Article on the subject, stating that we 
must not suppose that our system of heating had arrived 
“at the end of all alteration for the better ;” that there 
were more important considerations yet to be entered 
on, than the form of a boiler or adaptation of a pipe. 
While admitting that we heated well, you contended: we 
might do so more cheaply ; that while we. grew our 
plants well, we might grow them better ; and that the 
one condition might involve the other, and that the 
system at Polmaise was an advance in this direetion ; 
in fact, your watch-word was the sage one— Advance * 
You reprinted the plans, explained their mode of action, 
80 far as the prineiple of atmospheric currents was con- 
cerned, and drew fresh attention to Mr. Murray's great 
and uncontradicted facts. On the 10th, allusion was 
again made to the subject; you carefully stated that 
its applicability to stoves had yet to be proved ; that 
the plans might be improved upon ; but that Mr. Mur- 
ray's Grapes were so splendid, they frightened all com- 
petitors ; you advised those who wished for similar re- 
sults to try similar means, and drew attention to the 
several points in the plan which required it. The fol- 
lowing week Mr. Rivers, and Mr. Murray's gardeuer, 
ieated thei peri ; the latter gave his 
reasons for introducing hot air at the back of the house, 
The same paper contained a letter from Mr. Walker, 
of Dublin, stating that he thought the demands on the 
wet blanket would be greater than could be supplied, 
when the Vine became older ; but he gave no reason for 
his opinion. 
On the 24th," Mr. Shearer published a plan, by which 
a Vinery had been heated since 1840, on the hot-air 
principle, essentially the same as that at Polmaise, 
though differing hat in its E D. 
S. states that he sees no difficulty in the system ; that 
the cost of the fuel is very small, its effects all he 
could wish; that the atmosphere in the house was 
never oppressive, however high the temperature, in 
consequence of its motion ; that the leaves were moved 
and the plants in high health. In the same Number 
appeared a communication from Mr. Ayres, to whom 
it is fair to remember that he had not seen Mr. 
Shearer's communication, and who (I bear him willing 
testimony) is seldom to be seen in the ranks of those 
whose cry is, “Stand still.” He criticised the state- 
ments made as to the quality of the fruit being de- 
pendent on the mode of heating; he doubted if the 
Vinery were heated at all. . He then attacks the system 
itself, contends that it will fail to ‘produce high tem- 
perature, because another hot air system—not Mr. 
Murray’s! not Mr, Shearer’s !—had failed in his 
hands, and he asks for the solution, It is simple: he 
had not provided the condition of Polmaise—he had not 
provided a return cold-air pipe! Would his present 
hot-water apparatus retain its present efficiency if the 
return pipes were removed? He asked, What will 
be saved by the system ? He spoke of a hot-water appa- 
ratus costing 207., and then of having spent 7007. He 
said that it will eost from 77, to 107. annually to repair — 
a stove, but does not give any reason, or state what are 
the cost of repairs in an extensive hot-water apparatus. . 
He informs us that he finds no advantage in a moving 
atmosphere ; but the next sentence informs us that he 
finds the best results from allowing the ventilation to 
remain open ; and he is, moreover, glad to avail himself 
of the addition of the celebrated Polmaise blanket to 
his hot-water pipes. He said that the Polmaise plan 
is Mr. Penn’s ; that it attempts to circulate currents 
contrary to the laws of nature ; that it involves a waste 
of power; that he considers it an unpromising instru- 
ment; and while expressing a wish that right should 
prevail, he attempts to bear it down by the weight of 
his great name and his high professional character. 
On the 31st of January, you replied in a Leading 
Article to Mr. Ayres’ doubts of the Vinery being 
heated at all; you reminded him of the scorched leaves! 
It contained a communication from “J. H. H.,’’ con- 
tending for the success of the hot-air plans, andzgiving 
ne of his own. This brings me to the more delicate 
ground of referring to my own part in these discus- 
sions. Of this I will say but little ; I will leave others 
to judge of the merits of these communications, and 
their power to advance the system for which I have 
contended. I am quite willing to await results, be- 
fore asking for any share in the praise of bringing them 
about. Letters which I have received induce me to think 
that I have carried conviction to the minds of some; 
others ask me if it is adapted to their particular caset— 
one for a greenhouse, one for a stove, one for a conser- 
vatory,—while the point which I wish to impress upon 
your readers is, that I am contending, not for a plan, 
(not even my own) but for a system, which, if proved 
