408 A Pine Pit heated by Steam. 



have but a very limited circulation, when compared with that 

 of the Gardener's Magazine, permit me to hope that a few 

 brief observations on the steam-houses in Shugborough Gar- 

 dens, together with the plan and references of the one that is 

 submitted to your inspection, (which only differs from those 

 here by being formed on a still more economical plan,) may 

 not be unacceptable to the generality of your readers, parti- 

 cularly such as are not members of the London Horticultural 

 Society. 



The steam-houses at Shugborough were originally built for 

 the cultivation of the melon and cucumber, both of which do 

 remarkably well in them ; better, I think, than I ever saw them 

 do in a hot-bed frame. But this will not be a matter of surprise 

 when it is understood that both fire heat and steam can be 

 applied together or separately as necessity may require. But 

 what is still more worthy of remark is the astonishing growth 

 of the pine-apple plant in these houses. It will hardly be 

 credited when I assert that they do much better in them in 

 winter than they do in the dry-stoves in summer. The best 

 proof that I can give of the truth of my assertion is, that we 

 have this season, on the 1st of August, cut a New Provi- 

 dence pine weighing twelve pounds and a half avoirdupois 

 weight, outweighing the one cut last year by twelve ounces. 

 This is one instance out of many that might be adduced to 

 prove that they are the best houses for the pine ; and not only 

 for the pine, for they are equally well calculated for the melon 

 and the cucumber, and also for the early forcing of asparagus 

 and other plants. 



Every practical gardener is aware that the vine grows much 

 more luxuriant in a moist heat than in a dry atmosphere ; of 

 necessity, the vine will require a larger house than any of the 

 preceding. The simplicity of their construction is a matter 

 of no little consequence, no engineer being necessary; almost 

 any bricklayer and plumber are sufficient for the undertaking. 



The steam pine pits, of which the following is a plan, are 

 now building in the gardens of the Earl Talbot at Ingestree. 

 They were designed by Mr. M'Murtrie, and only differ from 

 those in the gardens at Shugborough by having the back part 

 of the roof covered with slates, which will be less expensive 

 and more durable than glass. It may also be necessary to 

 add, that the boiler for a house of this size should boil thirty 

 gallons of water, and be supplied by a ball-cock: the lid 

 should be screwed on tight, that no steam may escape, unless 

 by the pipe into the chamber ; the diameter of the aperture of 

 which should be six inches, so as to admit the steam freely, 

 and render a safety valve quite unnecessary. 



