18 Scientific Management of Hot-houses 



science and skill of the operator. I could add much to this 

 paper ; but, having trespassed very far on your pages, I must not 

 farther enlarge. 



Dec. 4. 1^33. G. I. T. 



Art. IV. On the Scientific Management of Hot-houses, so far as it 

 regards Temperature. By Scienti^e et Justiti^e Amator. 



Sir, 

 "When we take into consideration the exertions made by 

 philosophic individuals for the purpose of enlightening the 

 mystified processes of vegetable developement, and impressing 

 upon gardeners the importance of conducting their operations 

 upon scientific principles ; it is scarcely more amazing to mark 

 the indifference with which (comparatively speaking) we have 

 treated their doctrines, than it is to behold the tenacity with 

 which we have clung to systems of management, which can only 

 be defended by pointing out the success which has followed 

 them, and citing the authority of some distinguished writer, 

 whose name we hold in veneration ; while a little calm investigation 

 would be sufficient to convince us, that even a greater degree of 

 success might be realised by other means, attended with less 

 expense, and more in unison with the general operations of 

 nature. In illustration of this position, few subjects could be 

 more appropriately introduced, than the general management of 

 hot-houses, so far as temperature is concerned. In using the 

 word general, I beg leave to say that I am quite aware that a 

 great many gardeners conduct their hot-house operations in a 

 scientific natural manner ; but, so far as my observation informs 

 me, they as yet prove exceptions from the great body, who con- 

 tinue to keep, within a few degrees, as high a temperature in 

 their houses at night, as when they are exposed to the influence 

 of a cloudless sun. That a system so opposed to nature should 

 so extensively prevail may be accounted for by the fact, that we 

 have been more anxious to become acquainted with, and to act 

 upon, the opinions of others, than to investigate for ourselves, 

 taken in connection with the circumstance, that, with the ex- 

 ception of the celebrated Mr. Knight, and a few modern writers, 

 the system has received the support of almost every author 

 whose writings are recommended to the attention of the tyro in 

 gardening, as containing nothing which has not received the 

 sanction of practical experience. That the prosecution of such 

 a system has been practically successful I will not dispute ; but, 

 at the same time, it appears clear as noonday that that success 

 must wholly depend upon causing the means employed, in them- 

 selves opposed to nature, so to counteract each other as to pro- 



