151 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 



[Nov, 9 



hours during the middle of the day. Now, those who 

 are accustomed to plod on from November to the latter 

 end of June will think this a strange way of forcing 

 Peaches : but the fact is, if I can get sun heat, I am not at 

 all fastidious about a few degrees; to get it high enough is 

 the main point— say from 70° to 85° and 90°, until the 

 fruit is stoned; I then keep them very hot during the 

 day— viz., from 05° to 105°, and sometimes even as high 

 as 110°. Of course a great deal of moisture is required 

 -with this high temperature ; a moist atmosphere is con- 

 genial to both Tines and Peaches. I syringe over head 

 twice a day, and sometimes oftener, when the air is dry ; 

 and the consequence of this treatment is, I am scarcely 

 ever troubled with either green-fly or red-spider. 



Watering at the root must be carefully attended to; 

 very little is wanted until the trees get covered with 

 leaves; but after the fruit is stoned, they should be wa- 

 tered plentifully, if you wish to have good fruit. Of 

 course the watering must be gradually withdrawn as the 

 fruit approaches maturity, in order to increase their 



flavojr. . 



The following objection has been offered against 

 early forcing of Peaches, viz. that they can have no flavour 

 at that early season ; but the fact is, to grow the trtes 

 in pots is the only way to have the fruit well flavoured, 

 as the roots are then completely under control. Some 

 say that I will soon lose all my Pines by the high tempe- 

 rature at which I keep the Peaches ; but these persons do 

 not consider that I am taking the very best plan to make 

 my Pines grow, by treating my Peaches in the man- 

 ner above stated ; and I invite any one to come and see 

 my Pines and Peaches growing together, when they can 

 form their own opinion of the matter. 



Now, with regard to the trees, unless they are prepared 

 for forcing, you have no right to expect fruit in April ; 

 but if you think otherwise, try. Maiden plants are the 

 only ones to begin with. Pot in as small pots at 

 first as you can, and cut down to four or five eyes ; shift 

 every year, shaking ofTa little of the old loil. In May last, 

 I saw some as fine maiden Peach-trees in pots, in one of 

 the London nurseries, as I could wish to see ; and any 

 one buying a few trees in the same condition would 

 save a year's labour. They were making fine shoots in 

 May last.— \V. Hutchison, Eatington Park. 



THE TANK SYSTEM OF HEATING. 

 This, for furnishing Pine stoves, Melon and Cucumber 

 pits, and all structures for plant-growing, with bottom 

 heat, instead of uncertain and unsightly fermenting mate- 

 rials, is one of the greatest boons lor simplicity, utility, 

 and economy in horticultural purposes ever yet ac- 

 quired, and undoubtedly claims the praise and due con- 

 sideration of every individual who wishes to see the truly 

 interesting science of Horticulture improve and keep 

 pace with the spirit of the improving times in which we 



live. 



I would recommend all scientific and practical men 



to give the subject due and serious consideration: they 

 should well discuss it in their own minds as well as 

 publicly with others : in time much information would 

 thus be'gained ; for amongst " a multitude of counsellors 

 there is wisdom." There are several very essential points 

 requiring serious discussion and due consideration, before 

 the great advantages that are to be derived from this 

 system are to be gained ; such as, What are the best 

 materials with which to construct those tanks, in order 

 that they may answer all purposes in the most econo- 

 mical manner ? "What is the depth of water that should 

 flow, so as to command the most kindly and uniform 

 heat ? What is the best mode or proper system for the 

 water to flow from and return to the boiler ? Which is the 

 best-constructed boiler from which to obtain the greatest 

 advantage in regard to regularity and economy ? These, 

 with some other items, require due consideration 

 before introducing the tank system. They are most im- 

 portant questions. Some tanks are constructed of 

 wood, cased or lined with zinc or lead ; others are made 

 of stone, bricks, tiles, and slates, cemented together, and 

 in not afew instances they are formed with such solid walls 

 and foundations of masonry, that it only requires a 

 second thought to perceive the great loss of heat that 

 must take place on account of the absorption of such 

 materials. Again, all the above-mentioned materials 

 are in some degree liable to get soon out of repair, and 

 this may happen at the most critical season. Bad mate- 

 rials, or imperfect workmanship, &c, are apt to cause 

 leakages, and in many cases those tanks are so con- 

 structed that it is no easy matter to discover where the 

 imperfections are, so as to get them put again in repair. 

 I shall not attempt to condemn those structures or their 

 materials, but I must acknowledge I cannot highly 

 recommend them without considerable alteration. Un- 

 der all circumstances, even with my limited practice, I 

 can see no material at the present time so likely to 

 answer all purposes with the greatest advantage as cast- 

 iron tanks, constructed on a good principle. The sides 

 of the pit for holding the plunging materials over the 

 tank might be of the same material, which could be cast 

 plain or ornamental, according^to taste, and if it were 

 kept nicely painted it would have a very light and neat 

 appearance ; the whole might be carried on cast-iron 

 supports, and placed upon a good base, with flag-stone 

 under the iron support, which should be cast with a good 

 broad base, similar to those in use for supporting corn- 

 stacks, &c. The advantage of having tanks constructed 

 in this way will be at once obvious. 1st. They will be 

 neat and durable. 2d. There will be great advantages 

 gained by the tank being thus made to assist in heating 

 the atmosphere of the house, pit, or other building. 

 This heat is in too many instances entirely lost to all use- 



ful purposes. 3d. There will be considerable heat given 

 off from the bottoms and sides of tanks on the above 

 principle, that will warm the atmosphere of the house. 

 Another considerable advantage gained by setting a tank 

 open and free on iron supports is, that there will be 

 nothing to prevent warm air from circulating freely in all 

 parts of the house. That our present structures admit 

 of but a very unequal circulation of heat and air is very 

 obvious to most practical men. "Underneath the tank 

 there would be both light and air, and the space would 

 be found useful for growing early Rhubarb, small salads, 

 starting various kinds of bulbs, Dahlias, or early Pota- 

 toes for growing in pots or for turning out into pits or 

 frames ; and many other things could in such a situation 

 be forwtrded. The iron supports could be cast square, 

 so as sliding shutters could be fitted closely and neatly 

 to them, to be taken in and out ; they should be pro- 

 vided with ventilators at the top, or one opening, a few 

 inches in depth, might be continued the whole way 

 round, by which means the free circulation of heat and 

 air would not be impeded. A famous situation might 

 also here be formed for growing Mushrooms during the 

 dark winter months, as well as for forcing the first crop 

 of Seakale in river, sea, or other sand, or in old tan, at 

 the season when it is not an easy matter to get it out of 

 doors, on account of bad weather. I have found no dif- 

 ficulty in producing it in good perfection in a similar 

 situation during the last three winters. This would like- 

 wise be found an excellent situation, when left quite open, 

 for producing the first crops of Asparagus in November, 

 December, and January. Thus, by foresight and per- 

 severing attention, the space underneath the tank could 

 be made to produce various useful articles, that would go 

 far towards defraying the expenses of fuel, where the 

 tank is introduced on a good principle. 



In pits and frames where there is no walk inside, but 

 where what is required to be done is performed from the 

 outside, as is generally the case with such structures, 

 I should recommend that the tanks be borne on 

 supports in the same way as above described, leaving a 

 cavity of a few inches at the outside of the pit that con- 

 tains, or should contain, the plants, fruits, &c., and the 

 outside wall, which should be provided with ventilators, 

 placed at intervals, for the purpose of admitting air both 

 below the tank and above the pit. This would keep up 

 a free circulation, and the air could be admitted either 

 from one side or from the other, according to the state 

 of the weather, or other circumstances : it could also be 

 admitted at bottom or underneath the tank, and at top. 

 By this means damping or fogging off, as it is termed, 

 bleaching of plants, or any difficulty with regard to start- 

 ing into fruit Pine plants when grown to maturity would 

 never be heard of: cleanliness, health, and vigour would 

 be obtained. 



Some have formed this idea, and have actually put it 

 in practice, viz., that when they obtained the tank, they 

 had no further need for flues and pipes for heating the 

 atmosphere of their houses and pits, thinking that the 

 tank would furnish all that was requisite. In some 

 degree the system I am now pointing out would effect 

 that object ; more particularly in the case of pits, which 

 can be covered in bad weather. At the same time, even 

 for pits, however, I would recommend that a flow and 

 return pipe be always at the front ; it need not be 

 made use of except when it is requisite ; no waste what- 

 ever would occur, the expense of pipe not being great. 

 The command of pipes will be found useful in any struc- 

 ture when damp and foggy weather prevails, to dry up 

 the moisture by turning on a little heat and giving air. 

 How practical men can depend entirely on tanks, under 

 the present mode of making them of solid walls and 

 masonry, when so large a portion of heat is lost by being 

 buried and absorbed, I am at a loss to guess. Surely 

 this has not been duly considered. It is true that they 

 may have gone on tolerably' smooth and comfortable, 

 and may have been able to obtain a sufficiency of heat 

 during the last twelve months of fine weather : such a 

 season we may never again see. But even under these 

 favourable circumstances, I am doubtful if the required 

 atmospheric warmth could at all times be fully main- 

 tained, without imposing a very unnatural bottom-heat 

 for the plants, at the very time they required the most 

 uniform temperature. Why should we dispense with 

 the means at command for warming the atmosphere, be- 

 cause a great improvement is discovered for furnishing 



fuel and patience to heat them, and after7iuhl7^~Tr^ 

 maintain the good qualities they were said tn ™.. 



the required bottom-heat ? 

 in practice, I shall not be 

 prejudice against the tank 



While such things are kept 

 surprised to hear of much 

 system. Does it not look 

 very much like imposing on a good object, to rob it of 

 its greatest merits ? Allow nothing to be wasted — act 

 in all things with some little foresight and judgment — 

 and with the greatest possible economy under all cir- 

 cumstances ; but do not draw your beverage from the 

 spile-hole, and allow the greatest quantity to waste by 

 flie bung-hole. I have been a practical gardener for 

 years before boilers and hot-water pipes were much used 

 for gardening purposes, and have seen the great opposi- 

 tion and prejudice they met with in many localities, 

 when they were first introduced for heating garden struc- 

 tures ; they are, however, now happily sought after as 

 much as they were then opposed, and a gardener now 

 would be thought as far wrong in choosing a fire-flue for 

 a hothouse or pit, in preference to boiler and pipes, as a 

 courier would be iu selecting an old hackney coach for 

 travelling with expedition, in preference to the Great 

 Western Rail. 



Boilers have been made of almost numberless shapes 



and sizes, from the size of a man's hat to that of a large 



brewing-copper. Those constructed some time since 



I were so unwieldy that they took an immense quantity of 



viz., superiority to 



uniform heat, when once made hot. 



qualities they were said to p0ii £ 

 others in keeping a more regular 2 +£ 

 once made hot. It was famZl P* 



that there was the same body for the cold to act on'* 

 there was for the heat. Three persons of my acquaint 

 ance lost their lives by falling into those dan«ro* 

 boilers, while adjusting and regulating the unnecessirf 

 apparatus then in use. In those times the more mvnJ 

 rious the construction of a hot-water apparatus th* m*J 

 clever and more scientific the inventor was genenll 

 considered. Those ideas, luckily, however, seem in ! 

 great measure to have blown over ; but still there in 

 some such ideas yet put info practice, or why should 

 men recommend a large body and depth of water to flow 

 through a tank, in preference to a quick and uniform 

 shallow flow and return ? This is a point that requira 

 discussion. Let us consider this subject faithfully • not 

 falling back to the olden times, but commencing «ift 

 the practically known and best proved system now in 

 use, recollecting that we have but a short journey to 

 travel, and that it is our duty to go through with it in 

 the nearest way on the most friendly and neighbourly 

 terms. Boilers of many shapes I have practised with • 

 but I must acknowledge that three in u.-;e here at this 

 time, constructed and fixed by Messrs. Garton and 

 Jarvis of Exeter, possess great and superior adrantages 

 over all that have hitherto come under my no'.ice ; the 

 last constructed one is still an improvement on the 

 others. Tanks, I conceive, in order to obtain an advan- 

 tage over those at present in use, should be double ; that 

 is, they should have two floors, one above and another 

 below — the top floor, of course, taking the flow from the 

 top of the boiler through the whole width and length of 

 tank, passing over the opposite end, and returning by 

 the bottom floor again to the boiler. The number of 

 flow-pipes from the boiler maybe regulated according to 

 the extent and width of tank floors. I imagine that it 

 would be of advantage to provide two flows to every 

 tank above 4 feet in width ; when three or four could 

 be just as easily provided for tanks from 6 to 10 feet in 



width. 



In the next age practical men will laugh and wonder 

 how we expected anything like a kind and uniform heat 

 from fermenting materials ; and will then know how to 

 turn those materials to better account, which are now to 

 such an extent wasted. All tanks should of coarse he 

 provided with ventilators, not for allowing the eicape of 

 evaporation, which should not be allowed by any i - ins, 

 but for the purpose of occasionally cleansing them out. 

 And all pits, &c, provided with tanks that hive no walk 

 inside, should be provided with ventilators and trap 







si 



222! 



t 



m 



ight happi 

 best plunging materials— the best and most natural pro- 

 vision for turning plants out of their pots— and several 

 other matters of importance, require due consideration, 

 and I hope to see them all discussed on friendly termi. 



if, 



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Rbfkkbnck to Pt . AIf ' trials over tt« 

 A The Plants standing in the plunging material 



upper, or flow-floor. n a ,,nnpr orfl" w - floc !'. 



B The Pit and planning materials en the upper o ^ -(| 



C Coarse rubble underneath the P lun S in S ™f of tne most esseo- 



circulation of air, heat, and water-one ol 



tial provisions in the whole structure. 

 D Upper flow-floor. . 



E Under, or return-floor. etrncture to any W 1 ' 



F Iron standards for carrying the whole structure 



site or answerable height. 

 G Flow-pipes from boiler. 



H Return ditto. fl for w ater to ** 



I Openings at opposite end of ^J^J'^n.^es^ i' 



through, falling into bottom floor, or retur 



K The Boiler. 

 L The furnace-door, &c. 



M End view of the Btructure. conceit. 



The above is a plan of a pit-tank, &*> do f 



according to my ideas above ^scribed ,bu t {Q 



having a bottom-tank or floor for the return o , 



the boiler, it may be found m some ca e J^tfly 



conduct it in its return, in V l P*- clt ™* ( tU e ho«* 

 underneath the flow-floor, or at the front o : flp0 „ 



pit, or whatever kind of structure it may w. e 

 foe' above principle ; under all *™™*^«e*** 

 recommend the upper flow-floor to be , co ^^ 

 whole width of pit, taking care to P rov ' u ; tinU al »» d 

 of flow-pipes to equalise the * «™*Q ar d<n* 

 regular manner. -James Barnes, Bxcton ua 



S; 

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