Memoirs of the Caledonian Horticultural Society. 329 



filled, like the bottom of the floor, with small round stones. 

 At short distances, on the top of these flues, are fixed small 

 iron tubes, with caps which are removable at pleasure, to 

 admit or exclude the steam of the flues and floor from the 

 atmosphere of the pit, as occasion may require. The outer 

 wall, on each side, adjacent to the flues, is built double, 

 with a small interval between the parts ; which prevents un- 

 necessary waste of heat, and allows any heated air or steam 

 which may escape through the interstices of the bricks to 

 pass into the atmosphere of the pit. 



The pots of pines are placed on a layer of cinders 4 in. in 

 depth, which rests on the pavement ; and the interstices around 

 them are filled as high as their edges with tanner's bark. The 

 pots are never moved except for repotting. The temperature 

 of the air of the pit, in winter, is kept at 50° or 55°. About 

 February, it is raised to 65° or 70°; in May* to 75° or 80°; 

 and in autumn, while the fruit is ripening, it is kept at 65° or 

 70°. The plants generally fruit in the second year. The 

 steam required to produce the winter temperature is about 

 an hour and a half in 24 hours; that to maintain the autumn 

 temperature, an hour or an hour and a half in 48 hours. In 

 all cases, fire is applied to the boiler about six o'clock in the 

 evening, and steam is procured a little before seven. 



In cultivating melons in these pits, a bed of proper soil is 

 placed over the stratum of ashes. " When the plants are 

 put in, steam is to be applied once in 48 hours, an hour and 

 a half at a time. A very little watering is necessary till the 

 fruit be set ; after which it is to be applied more freely. From 

 the time when the plants appear, to the setting of the fruit, the 

 heat is kept near 60° ; and afterwards about 65°. In warm 

 weather, steam is required only about once a week." 



Melons and pine-apples raised in this pit were exhibited to 

 the Caledonian Horticultural Society, and very much ad- 

 mired ; and the silver medal was awarded to Mr. Smith. 



71- Account of a glazed House, adapted for the Culture of Peach 

 Trees, Grape Vines, and ornamental Plants. By Mr. JR. F. D. 

 Livingstone, Planner. 



The only peculiarity in this house, deserving of notice, is, 

 that the vine-border is placed at the back wall, and within the 

 house, in order to separate it from the peach-border, which is 

 placed against the front wall, and without the house. The 

 house is 40 ft. long by 16 ft. wide, and heated by one fire. 

 On the whole, the plan seems not unsuitable for what may be 

 called a hot-house of all work. The following is a descrip- 

 tion of its section {Jig- 54.) : — - 



