186 THE 
GARDENERS' 
CHRONICLE. 
[Mar. 21, 
started. I confess I can see no nearer approach to 
nature in the Polmaise system than in the one which 
inqui If we inquire into 
valui»g ihe importance of eurrents of air in modifying 
temperature, that it is mainly effected by caloric 
emitted in direct rays from the sun, striking upon, and 
radiated by the whole of that surface, and every body 
on that surface. Thus, if the Polmaise system claim 
to be the nearer approximation to nature, as producing 
a current of air (which, however, may be done suffi- 
ciently for all practical purposes in houses heated 
either by hot water or by flues), and which currents, be 
it remembered, in nature are not perpetual, neither is 
their force always proportioned to the p at 
the time, The hot-water system seems to approach 
nature more nearly in providing a larger radiating sur- 
face, while the means commonly employed for produc- 
ing atmospherie moisture are at least as perfect as any 
yet suggested. by the advocates of the Polmaise system. 
The comparative efficiency of the two systems is a ques- 
tion which ean only be decided by proof, but it is diffi- 
cult to conceive how the heat can be as effectually and 
equally distributed over every part of a house, by means 
of a eurrent of air entering at one place, and allowed 
immediately on its entrance to follow its natural eourse, 
which is to rise to the top of the house, as, by 
the hot water, whieh is compelled to make the 
circuit of the bottom of the house, while the 
air which becomes heated by contact with, or radia- 
tion from the pipes, naturally rises to the top of the 
house, thus having to traverse the whole of the inclosed 
Space. The p ively slow ission of the 
calorie which has to make its way first along the inside 
of the pipes, and then through the particles of which the 
pipes are composed, is an advantage, as it renders the 
house less liable to the sudden fluctuations of tempera- 
ture, which it is to be feared would take place in a 
house heated on the Polmaise plan, unless the fire were 
‘he i 
be a considerable improvement on the kinds now in cul- 
tivation ; a certificate was awarded it.—A pale rose- 
coloured seedling Camellia came from Messrs. Lane 
and Son, of Great Berkhampstead. The plant had only 
one bloom on it, which however served to show that it 
possessed considerable merit in point of form, the petals 
laying nicely over one another, in the way of imbricata. 
It was named Beauté Supréme, and was awarded a cer- 
tificate.—Several fine specimens of Cape Heaths were 
produced from the garden of C. J. Dimsdale, Esq. 
These were vernix rubra, an early sort, covered with 
round orange blossoms ; a large plant of transparens, 
nitida pieta, Willmorei, and lacticolor; the latter 
covered with small white flowers; a Banksian Medal 
was awarded for them.— Finally, several cut spe- 
cimens of half-hardy plants were produced from 
the open walls of the gardens at Curraghmore, 
the seat of the Marquis of Waterford, with 
the view of illustrating what kind of climate they have 
in Ireland, in the county of Waterford. Some of the 
specimens were from a south east aspect, and the plants 
from which they were cut were stated to be of the fol- 
lowing dimensions :—Edwardsia microphylla, in full 
bloom, covering 250 square feet, the stem, a foot from 
the ground, measuring 13 inches round; E. grandi- 
flora, showing flower, covering 210 square feet, the 
stem measuring 15 inches round ; Acacia verticillata, 
in full flower, covering 400 square feet, the stem mea- 
suring 21 inches round ; Clianthus puniceus, stated to 
have been in flower for these three months past, covering 
200 square feet; Pittosporum tobira, covering 130 square 
feet, has been in flower all winter ; Eucalyptus robusta, 
covering 100 square feet; Solanum crispum, covering 
300 square feet, has been in flower a month ago, as has 
also been Ribes speciosum, covering 200 square feet of 
wall; Magnolia conspicua, covering 160 square feet, 
has 100 open flowers on it ; Fuchsia gracilis is showing 
flower, and F. microphylla was stated to have been in 
flower all winter. On a south aspect the following 
plants, portions of which were sent, had stood two 
winters d; the following were not in flower : 
always kept at about one pitch. p 
cheapness of the Polmaise System is a point upon which 
its supporters lay great stress, and a most important 
point it is. But before anything ean be positively 
affirmed on the subject, the amount of work to be 
effected by one fire upon the plan in question must be 
fairly tested. It costs much more to put up a hot- 
water apparatus than to build a flue. Yet, as with the 
old flue system, two fires were generally required to one 
house if of considerable size, while with the hot-water 
System one fire is made to work two, three, or more 
houses, every one who is conversant with the two 
systems knows that the latter is the more economical. 
hus it is quite possible that the hot-water system may 
prove cheaper than the most simple application of the 
other. But Mr, Meeke has proposed an apparatus in- 
eluding every expense involved in the common hot- 
water plan, except the pipes to surround the house, 
which would eost about 4s. per yard, while the trough 
for water, the iron plate, dampers, stone slab, &c., go 
far to counterbalance that; and if it should be found 
necessary to build two furnaces where, with the hot- 
water system, only one is required, the latter will be 
found to have the advantage even in the cost of firs 
fitting up. These are a few objections to the Polmaise 
system on a large scale.— W. H. M., Walton, near 
Liverpool. 
Weexty Prices or PoraTOEs 
Garden Market, in 1845, and 1846. 
1845. || 1846. 
Pbi.. 15 50s. to 80s. || Feb, ......... 14| 70s. to 160s, 
22| 50 80 21 70 160 
March ...... 1|50  s80| 28| 70 — 160 
8:50 90 | March ...... 7| 70 — 170 
15| 50 0 || 14,76 — 170 
22| 60 100 | 21| 70 — 180 
Also at the waterside, Southwark. 
Fobi... 17 | 55s. to 80s. | Feb.......... 16| 50s. to 120s 
24| 55 80 | 23| 50 120 
March ...... 3| 55 80 ||March 2| 60 140 
10| 55 9| 60 140 
17} 55  80| 16; 60 140 
Societies. 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
March 17.—Sir P. G. Egerton, Bart., in the chair, 
Mr. J. Glenny and Mr. T. A. Perry were elected Fel- 
lows. Of Orchids, Messrs, Veitch and Son, of Exeter, 
sent one of the many varieties of Gongora maculata, 
from South America; and two Cypripediums from 
Java—one a very dark purple, and the other a paler 
yariety—both referable to C. barbatum.—From Mr. 
Rae, gr. to J. J, Blandy, Esq., were two fine specimens 
of the old Phaius grandifolius, one of Dendrobium Pie- 
rardi, and another of Lycaste Skinneri. The beauty of 
these was, however, considerably destroyed by the 
Medal was awarded.— Of 'other 
of Pine-apple-place, sent 
1 l Boronia triphylla, producing 
numerous little rose-coloured, star-like flowers; Trillium 
erectum, a hardy North American herbaceous plant, 
with dingy chocolate blossoms ; and a beautiful collec- 
tion of Hyacinths, for which a certificate was awarded. 
—From Mr, Green, gr. to Sir E, Antrobus, Bart., were 
three seedling Azaleas, 
named alba magniflora, 
which was a shade of pink, especially so, promising to 
Mimosa prostrata, White Indian Azalea, an Aster, 
Grevillea armata, and Metrosideros floribunda, The 
following three were in flower, viz. : Grevillea rosmari- 
nifolia, a small red. Camellia, and Coronilla glauca. The 
following were mentioned to have stood last winter un- 
protected : Leonotis leonurus, Eutaxia myrtifolia, Ve- 
roniea speeiosa, Nerium Oleander, Abutilon striatum, 
Goodia lotifolia, a Teucrium fruticosum, and Acacia ar- 
mata ; the three last were in blossom. These were all 
somewhat damaged by travelling, but they nevertheless 
bore conclusive evidence of the unusual mildness of the 
climate of Waterford, From the same gardens also 
came fruit of Physalis edulis, or Cape Gooseberry,which 
has considerable resemblance tothe winter Cherry, but 
paler and less attractive to the eye ; and a branch with 
a half-ripe fruit on it of the Lo-quat of the Chinese 
(Mespilus Japonica), which, when ripe, somewhat 
resembles a small Apricot. This evergreen tree 
will survive our winters in the open air, in 
sheltered situations ; but it will not fruit except 
under glass in a tolerably high temperature. — 
Of Fnurr, Mr. Higgs, gr. to J. H. Barchard, Esq., sent 
a basket of fine-looking Keen's Seedling Strawberries, 
for whieh a certificate was awarded; and from Mr. 
Cuthill, of Camberwell, were good specimens of his 
Black Spine Cucumber. The plants were stated to 
have been only 4 inches high when they were planted 
out, which was on the 20th of January ; they were 
planted 2 feet below the trellis, The first Cucumber 
was cut eight weeks after the plants had been put out, 
and measured 15 inches in length. Cucumbers of the 
Syon House variety, and also a hybrid between it and 
the Manehester, came from Mr. Fish, gr. to H. H. 
Oddie, Esq. These were mentioned to have been cut 
from plants which had borne profusely since last October, 
and which are now very vigorous. They were planted 
in small wooden boxes, which were placed on the kerb 
wall in a stove, and consequently have had no bottom 
heat beyond what the the house afford 
They were grown in equal parts of turfy loam and peat, 
and were watered frequently with clear soot water, 
and top dressed repeatedly with burned earth. For 
winter work, Mr. Fish finds wooden boxes to answer 
better than pots, as the soil in the former is kept at a 
higher temperature than in the latter, more especially 
when a slight covering is put on the surface of the soil 
towards evening. —Of Movers, Mr. Hurwood, of Ipswich, 
Suffolk, sent a small Vinery, and different forms of 
windows, for the purpose of showing how his patent 
apparatus for opening and closing lights worked. The 
principal feature in this contri is the applieati 
of an endless serew working on a rack, and turned by a 
winch inside the house, by which means all pulleys, 
weights, and cords, are dispensed with. The lights are 
quite free from all risk of breakage by wind, for they 
are kept quite fast in any position to which they may be 
moved. The moving power, with a little variation, 
may be applied so as either to lift the lights. per- 
pendicularly, or to make them slide on an in- 
cline, as in the case of the roof sashes of the 
Vinery, in which two lights move at once. — 
From the Garden of the Society were the larger variety 
of Oncidium sphacelat Epidend i 
remarkable for its peculiarly bright orange blossoms ; 
the rare Chysis bractescens, Franciscea Hopeana, a fine 
bush of Acacia Riceana, Rhododendron arboreum, the 
showy Pimelea spectabilis, a blue Cineraria, the pretty 
little hardy Primula denticulata which was shown at 
last meeting, and two Tropsolums—tricolorum and 
brachyceras — exhibiting the appearance of a bush. 
This loose and natural habit,'which certainly has a much 
better appearance than when they are trained stiffly to 
a trellis, is effected by placing the top of a young Larch 
tree with the lateral twigs attached, close to the bulbs 
before they spring, and leading the young shoot to the 
stake, round which it continues to twine until the whole 
support is closely covered with foliage and flowers, pre- 
senting an exceeingly graceful appearance, and entirely 
dispensing with the trouble of training and tying,—Cut- 
tings of Apples and Pears were distributed; the former 
consisting of the Early Harvest, an American variety, 
very carly, ripening about the beginning of August, and 
in some seasons in the last week in July; and the Cockle 
Pippin, a late sound-keeping sort, a description of which 
appeared at p. 148. The Pears were Shobden Court, a 
hardy variety, raised by the late Mr. Knight, possessing 
a rich sugary flavour, and ripening in January an 
February ; and the Eyewood, also one of Mr. Knight’s 
seedlings, a middle-sized sort, melting, buttery, and 
rich. It ripens in October and November, proving very 
good even in unfavourable seasons, when other varieties 
do not attain their usual excellence.—Seeds of sweet 
Indian Corn, a New York kind, from Mr, Floy, said to 
ripen very early, were also distributed to such Fellows 
as wished to receive them. 
CALEDONIAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
March 5,—The spring meeting was held in the Ex- 
perimental Garden, and the weather being propitious, 
there was a large attendanee.— For the prize offered for 
the six finest varieties of Camellia blooms, there were 
five competitors. The first premium was voted to Mr, 
Cruickshanks, gr, to Professor Dunbar, for Carswelliana, 
Press's Eclipse, imbricata, Gray’s Invincible, Old White, 
and Colvillii; second, Mr. Hopkirk, gr. to Mrs. Wilson, 
for Gray's Invineible, Double White, Double Red, Ane- 
moneflora, James’s Blush, and French Blush.—For the 
four finest specimens of Epaeris, either species or dis- 
tinet yaries, in pots and in flower, a first prize was as- 
signed to Mr. Reid, gr. to Professor Syme, for E. onos- 
mieflora, Millbankiana, hybrida, and splendens ; se- 
cond, Mr. Cruickshanks, for E. panulata rubra, 
impressa, ^ nivalis, and Cunningham’s hybrid. — 
Double Primroses were produced in great variety, 
the early season being highly favourable. A first 
prize was voted to Mr. Watson, gr. to D. Anderson, 
Esq., for P. violacea, sulphurea, carnea, cuprea, rubra, 
alba, atropurpurea, elatior fl. pl, double crimson, 
sinensis fl. pl. albo; second, Mr. Young, gr. to T. 
Oliver, Esq., for double erimson, white, lilae, yellow, 
flesh-eoloured, French white, Freuch black, and mot- 
tled purple, —' The show of Dutch Hyacinths was very 
rich. The first prize was voted to Mr. Young, for 
Tubiflorus, Paganini, Blochberg, La Tour d’Auvergne, 
Laurens Koster, aud Prince Albert ; all of very strong 
growth, the plants having been cultivated in flower-pots 
filled with a mixture of hypnum and sphagnum mosses, 
which had been steeped for some time in cow-house 
drainings. A second premium was awarded to Mr. 
Fargie, gr. to Mrs. Gregory, for Grande Vidette, Vol- 
faire, Paix d'Amiens, Lord Gray, Monarque du Monde, 
and tubiflora, which were also very well flowered.— 
Awards were on this occasion made for admirably 
grown specimens of single plants, to Mr. Cruiekshanks, 
for Erica hyemalis, and to Mr. Young for Kennedya 
Marryattee.—The only culinary article produced con- 
sisted of excellent Mushrooms from Moredun Garden ; 
and Mr. Carstairs exhibited some beautiful specimens of 
the Long Island Newton Pippin.—A number of very fine 
plants were sent for exhibition only. Mrs. Haig showed 
some choice Cinerarias, Cape Heaths, and Pelar- 
goniums; with Bletia Tankervillie, Brassia maculata, 
Begonia hydrocotylifolia, coccinea, and maculata. Miss 
Gibson-Craig sent a beautiful plant of Camellia Sasanqua 
plena, finely flowered, and two varieties of Primula 
sinensis.—Captain Falconer, of Carlowrie, contributed 
a seedling Epacris, raised from seed of E. grandiflora, 
—Me ickson and Company exhibited a large 
hamper filled with choice plants, including Epaeris 
coccinea, Camellia ochroleuca, Amaryllis psittacina 
hybrida, and Rhododend caucasi b 
Messrs. J, Dickson and Sons, a rich collection of green- 
house plants, including Cape Heaths, Epacrises, Azaleas, 
abright purple variety of Primula denticulata, An- 
dromeda floribunda, and the Cloth of Gold climbing 
Rose.—Messrs. Carstairs, Kelly, and Company, pro- 
duced a stand of Camellia blooms, and another of mixed 
flowers, among which were Tropsolum Lobbianum, 
and Sisyrinchium grandiflorum, with plants of Camellia 
tricolor and Enkianthus quinqueflorus. — From the 
Society's Garden, were various Ferns growing in balls 
of hypnum and sphagnum moss, suspended in the air, 
such as Polypodium  iridifoli lj. P. inifoli 
Cheilanthes repens, Pteris vespertilionis, Davallia 
canariensis, Darea cicutaria, and Acrostichum aleicorne, 
the last very Jarge and fine, A suspended specimen of 
Strelitzia reginze, growing in a ball of Moss, kept con- 
stantly moist by means of a worsted syphon, was in full 
flower; and it was mentioned that the plant thus 
treated yields its flowers every season, or much more 
frequently than when cultivated in earth in a flower- 
pot. An Epacris nivalis, trained in the balloon form, 
and densely clothed with its snow-white blossoms, was 
much admired, 
LINNEAN SOCIETY. 
March \7.—The President in the chair. A box 
of insects, from Cape Palmas, was presented by the 
Rev. F. W. Hope, from Dr. Savage. Among them 
