THE 
220 
GARDENERS’ 
CHRONICLE. 
[APRIL 4, 
and by careful management may be turned out in May 
and June in a blooming condition. Every observer of 
gardens must see the vast superiority in point of beauty 
and finish which these exotics possess over most 
Annuals. If, then. you are limited for room, select 
only those annual flowers which grow compactly, and 
which continue long in bloom, The Mesembryan- 
themums are admirable in these respects, but they 
require more sun than we generally get in England. 
However, I cannot recommend the sorts to be preferred, 
since tastes so much differ. Some seedsmen send out 
catalogues, which give the heights, times of flowering, 
colours, &c. of ali the seeds they sell ; and the amateur 
will do well to use one, ‘That published by Carter, of 
Holborn, is admirably arranged, and I only discharge a 
debt of gratitude when I confess how serviceable it has 
often been to myself. 
have plenty of room for the develop- 
peculiarities. They are generally planted 
too closely, and thus their beauty is not seen. As to 
the method of raising them, I would decidedly recom- 
mend a seed.bed for most varieties, in preference to 
sowing them where they are to remain. Many sorts 
are too tender fur early sowing. Then insects torment 
‘ou; for if your stock is dispersed through the borders, 
you cannot keep your eye on the seattered portions as 
you can when it is together in a bed. Besides, trans- 
planting is, in most cases, an advantage, and secures 
greater vigour to the plant, provided it is properly done. 
Raise your seeds, then, on a gentle hotbed, and when 
they are developed in strong plants, remove them to 
their destined quarters. When you are anxious to have 
them flower early, or where the seedlings are impatient 
of removal, it is 2 good plan to pot them when only half 
an inch high into small pots, two or three ina pot. You 
ean then get them forward in a frame, and turn them 
out when frosts are over, without the plants receiving 
the slightest check. 
There is an Annual, the beauty of which cannot be too 
highly spoken of, I mean the Phlox Drummondi. Its 
habit of growth makes it very desirable for small gar- 
dens, as it is compact, and may be pegged down with 
advantage: Its varied shades of crimson are truly 
gorgeous when seen in masses. It continues in flower 
very late, and a slight frost will not much injure it. Sow 
theseed now. Sixpenny-worth will stock a large garden. 
By adopting the plan of potting the seedlings, by June 
you will have a supply of bushy plants, whieh will im- 
mediately flower and continue gay till October or 
November.—H. B. 
SELECT PLANTS FOR BEDDING OUT IN 
FLOWER GARDENS. 
A wELL arranged flower-garden constitutes’ the 
multum in parvo of floriculture, the principal object 
being to produce the highest ornamental effect in the 
most limited space. The perfect cultivation of plants 
consists in obtaining the greatest amount of flowers 
from the greatest extent of growth of which the plants 
are capable, and which ean only be obtained under the 
most favourable conditions, previous to the formation 
of flower-buds, or by removing the latter when pre- 
maturely formed. 
p p rm buds arise: 
from either of, or a combination of, the following 
uses :— 
ist. From an exhausted and attenuated state of 
growth, in those plants from which they are multiplied. 
2d. From an excessive but necessary stimulus of 
owth given to all young plants, by exposing them to 
a, higher temperature than is required for their natural 
conditions of growth. 
3d. From the opposite extremes of drought and 
moisture to which young plants are necessarily subject, 
by being retained in small pots. 
4th. From a neglect of checking attenuated growth 
at stated periods, equal to their rapid formation of 
flower-buds. 
5th. From the absence of a greater stimulus to robust 
growth, an efficient method of potting, and a modi- 
fied exposure to light, air, &c., and the restriction of 
their growth. 
Free growth, adaptation to common soils, profusion 
and continuance of bloom, ready increase, and sufficient 
hardihood to withstand cold, by the protection of a pit, 
or frame, with external covering, are the most desirable 
qualities in plants for l effect in fl d 
Amongst those which possess peculiar interest, in con- 
nection with the varieties of Verbenas, Petunias, &c., 
perhaps there are none which answer more fully to the 
features described than Lobelia Erinus, and its varieties, 
of which, L. Erinus grandiflora may be regarded as 
the most valuable. It is distinguished from others by 
its more compact, perennial, and branching habit, and 
thickly set flowers of a rich ultra-marine blue. 
prolific and decumbent growth render it superior to all 
others for cultivation in large masses, and it is ad- 
mirably adapted for a summer-edging to parterres or 
borders, when the extremities of its shoots are uni- 
formly shortened at stated periods, in order to induce 
a close growth. It is also very useful for table speci- 
mens in pots, or sculptured vases, or for square slate 
boxes, to be placed on the ascending steps to drawing- 
room entrances. For marginal effect to sloping banks, 
also be planted with effect. It forms a 
result of obtaining a prolonged accumulating vigour of 
growth previous to the season of bloom. 
In the spring of 1843 four vigorous young plants, in 
3} inch pots, from cuttings of the same year (forming 
premature flower-buds at the time), were removed from a 
cold frame, and shifted to pots of 6 in. diameter, prepa- 
ratory to their next final potting. The proportions and 
kinds of soils used were, one-half friable, sandy, yellow 
loam, with three remaining parts of partially dried, 
highly fermented manure, in a pulverized state, and 
one part of sandy heath-mould, adding about one-sixth 
of white sand to the whole. A heavy stratum of partially 
dried, coarse manure of similar quality, selected imme- 
diately from a large heap, was placed as sub-drainage 
over the potsherds. The plants were placed upon the 
front platform of a forcing-house (west aspect), with 
exposure to bright light, in a temperature varying 
from 70° by day to 55° by night. The first removal of 
the premature flower-buds was made a fortnight after 
the plants had been potted, by uniformly cutting off the 
extremities of the principal shoots, or stems, three or 
four joints shorter, and the smaller ones in proportion 
to their vigour. As the plants advanced in growth, a 
uniform position of the stem was secured by placing 
small temporary stakes against the curve of each, with- 
out tying, The plants remained in this position until 
the second week in June, at which period they were 
shifted to pots of 9, 12, and 13 inches diameter, using 
similar soil as before, but adding a heavier interme- 
diate stratum of dry, coarse manure, firmly pressed; 
and promiscuous flakes of the same material was inter- 
mixed, or progressively added with the compost in 
potting. After this operation, the plants remained a 
week in the forcing-house, and from thence were re- 
moved to a cold frame (south aspect), appropriated to 
similar plants, where a perati was intained 
when practicable, of 65° by day and 55° by night. 
Growth was induced during the day by tilting the 
lights sideways a few inches, with a slight shade from 
excessive sunlight until one or two o'clock ; on the re- 
moval of which, an increase of air was given until 
three. They were then fully exposed by drawing off 
the lights for half an hour, to promote a free evapora- 
tion, after which the plants were watered, and re- 
mained exposed until the foliage was partially dried, 
and in this state the frames were closed. For the 
morning treatment, air was given early by moving the 
lights downward from the back 9 to 12 inches, for an 
hour after which the plants were again fully exposed 
for the same period, and about 8 o’clock they were re- 
closed for one or two hours, according to the brightness 
of the atmosphere. The full exposure of the plants, 
and admission of air, was regulated by the variations 
of the external temperature. 
During the progressive growth of the plants, from 
the first week in May until the second week in July, 
the extremities of the shoots were uniformly cut shorter 
at four stated periods. By thus retarding the forma- 
tion of flower-buds until a definite period, a dense and 
accumulated vigour of growth was obtained in each 
plant, varying from 12 to 18 inches in diameter,without 
any apparent tendency to bloom. From the above 
period in July the plants were gradually exposed, and 
finally placed upon an east border, and each pot was 
placed within a pan to admit an occasional supply of 
water tothe roots. In this position, throughout Au- 
gust, September, and October, they excited general ad- 
miration by their brilliant effect, being thickly studded 
with thousands of lovely blue blossoms, so numerous 
that, to a stranger, would imply a very limited dura- 
tion, but which were kept up in a repeated succession 
for the above period. The four specimens were of dif- 
ferent sizes ; of the two largest,when in mature growth, 
one was a foot and a half, and the other two feet in 
diameter, and they were sold at 5s. and 7s. each ! The 
finest of these plants formed one of a collection (ad- 
verted to in a previous Paper) chosen to ornament her 
Majesty’s dining-table at Windsor Castle.— William 
Wood, Pine-apple-place. 
POLMAISE HEATING. 
Berore I proceed to notice the lavest objections made 
to the Polmaise system of Heating, % must be permitted to 
call the attention of your readers to the fact, that among 
its various opponents, no one hrs yet attacked the great 
principles on which I believe, it rests, on which I have 
defended it, and on which I sugur its success; the struc- 
ture is assailed, the foundstion is left in peace. When, 
however, your corresponent of the 21«t ult. stated, that he 
also aspired to the same investigation of this system 
with myself (my expr'essed object being to trace step by 
step the accordance of this system with nature and philo- 
sophy), I 'natura;ly expected to find its principles 
assailed, to see a c least an attempt made to show that 
ts | the laws I had ‘stated, as regulating the diffusion of heat 
through different media, were untrue ; that the argu- 
ments H ha% founded on them were untenable, and the 
conclusion, I had drawn from them were consequently 
erroneov,s, I might well expect from such a declara- 
tion, to, find the ground disputed step by step, but the 
inves‘cigation ceased with the aspiration; the ground is 
cha nged from the high one of the principles, to the 
lower one of the detail, and here I propose to follow 
yo 1 still intaining, however, that 
ur s 
e ba EAE s ET p P 
or along the base of ornamental rock-work, it may { though one person cannot see that the system is natural or 
^ ocu nd 
nd though another doubts it, no one has 
autumn bloom after the beautiful Mesembryanthemum | fairly at n 
: E ttempted to prove that the arguments on which 
tricolor, and Portulaca splendens, and looks we'y] Ex MIDI p g 
front of borders of herbaceous perennials. 
The following jpraetieal illustration will show the 
I have supported this system are unsound. 
Your correspondent states, that it was not his inten- 
tion to interfere more in this question, but that I com- 
pelled him to do so; I simply detailed his share in this 
discussion, in the same manner as that of others; I 
commented on the effect it had produced, namely, delay 
in this investigation, but it was with no wish to induce 
him to resume the discussion against his will; he states, 
that the opinion he formerly entertained against the 
success of Polmaise is strengthened from the discus- 
sions ; and from an example he has frequently examined, 
he now pronounces it a great deal worse than the old 
smoke flue! but he subsequently states, that what is 
now wanting, is a trial, to see what the system can 
effect : what need of the trial may I ask? If, after the 
lengthened period of your correspondent’s experience 
in these matters, he has proved Polmaise a failure, it 
seems strange that he should have intended not to inter- 
fere any further in this matter, all the time knowing 
that he had a proof by which to establish the correct- 
ness of his first hostile opinion. I hope he will excuse 
my asking, for the sake of the number of your readers 
who are deeply interested in this subject, the same 
question Mr. Murray asks, namely, “where” it was 
tried. May I add, how long? when? and could your 
correspondent procure a sight of the failure for some 
of those persons who are able to judge how far the 
principles of this system have been carried out in this 
alleged failure? Mr. Murray has detailed his success, 
let the failure be chronicled, and your reader judge be- 
tween. He then states, that he has taken the trouble 
to calculate the relative expense of the two systems as 
to their first erection ; he does not give the calculation, 
but only the result, that my plan is far more expensive. 
I have made every possible inquiry; and the calculation 
consequent on this I will endeavour to give, and having 
already demolished. the. charge against. Polmaise being 
wasteful in the use, having fixed that waste on hot 
water, I will show a like waste in the first cost. I 
presume we have a stove house and adjoining chamber 
for each apparatus, that each requires ash and fire doors, 
fire bars, check cistern, fire bricks, &c., the question is, 
what are the separate charges to heat this house up to 
a stove temperature ? say it is 30 feet by 18. 
POLMAISE. £. s, d. 
500 extra bricks for hollow floor supports, drains, &c. 1 0 0 
$ inch iron plate, 6 ft. by 5, at 15s. per cwt. «+ oe S 
Small boiler to produce moisture .. .. EE AU 
Pipe to gutter Vo Tetas Pers RC 
Tron gutter with cover, 6 yards .. ..  .. «.. 3 00 
Wooden screen, with perforated zinc .. ee ve PIO 
Extra cost of laying hollow floor RETE oa eR OI OKO! 
Stone slab .. .. .. m E . 010 0 
£14 0 0 
HOT WATER, £. 8. d. 
Boiler (various prices) taking the medium of 
different makers, say .. EM Sv E ee 710 0 
104 yards of iron pipe, at 4s. 6d. per yard .. 28 8 0 
: £30:18 0 
Means for diffusing moisture extra. 
The first expeneés of Polmaise may be economised 
by many contrivances ; moisture may be produced 
in a much more economical way, but the hot water 
must be confined in iron pipes and heated in an ex- 
pensive boiler. The simple truth I believe to be this, 
that whatever the pipes cost, that is the extra expense 
of water over air heating. 
Your correspondent then revives the question of its 
efficiency. How far this had already been proved, I 
may leave to your readers to judge ; but I should think, 
after Mr. Murray's letter of March 28, stating that a 
Scotch church was heated in a winter night up to 75°, that 
there was not more than 5° difference at different 
points of the building, no one will again question the 
efficiency of the apparatus at Polmaise ; and thus your 
correspondent’s objections to hot air coming in at the 
back or the end are disposed of in a most complete and 
summary manner. Fowler’s thermosiphon may have 
failed ; Hayden’s Polmaise did not, but has survived the 
“ fatal error,” 
I am next asked, how the airof a house is ren- 
dered impure by a hot-water apparatus? I never 
stated it to be so, but I maintain that it is rendered im- 
pure by the vegetable life within it, and that if that 
vegetation is to flourish fresh air must be admitted ; 
and Mr. Ayres states, in support of this, tbat but for 
the expense of fuel, he would always keep the ventila- 
tion open ; if it be otherwise, we had better construct 
our houses on the principle of a Ward's case. The 
next objection I have to notice is the enquiry, what 
should T do if the fire went out, with a house full of 
Grapes, and the outside temperature at zero? I reply 
that mechanism is now so perfect, that it is at our 
option to let out the fire ; but even should such an acci- 
dent occur, I maintain that in the hot chamber would 
be a reservoir of heat quite equal to that of the water ; 
let your readers remember that the hot chamber and 
furnace are the boiler of the Polmaise system ; that the 
currents would still flow long after the fire went out, in 
the one case as in the other ; besides, the great re- 
servoir of heat is not in the water, but in the tempera- 
ture existing in the house at the time the fire expires, 
and that a long time must elapse for this to cool down 
to a dangerous point; in fact this is the real point of 
safety, and attaches equally to both systems ; and finally 
I reply, that I should be better off with the fire out than 
with a split boiler ona winter's night, for I could relight 
the one but not heat the other. And lastly, yeur cor- 
respondent wonders how I ean possibly think this 
system likely to supersede others. "When my reasons 
for thinking so are refuted I willalter my opinion. His 
concluding remark, casting a slur upon the researches 
of scientifie men, it can do no good to notice. 
The next opponent states, that truth is not served by 
