Transactions of the London Horticultural Society. 229 



32 It is well known, that, by the common hot- 



yW^M ii^^^ WiMW^M water apparatus, the heating of an extensive 

 and unconnected establishment of houses by 

 one fire is impracticable in most cases ; but, 

 in the mode here represented, the extent of 

 application is in a manner unlimited, whatever 

 be the number or situation of the houses 

 requiring heat. It likewise combines all the 

 advantages of steam, as a conductor of heat, 

 with that of a bulk of water as a retainer. 

 The first adoption of this mode was in a 

 forcing-house, belonging to Mr. Sturge, near 

 Bath. The water-pipes were 8 in. in diameter, 

 and about 28 ft. long. The steam-pipe, of 1 in. 

 in diameter, entering at the centre of one end, 

 and proceeding in rather an inclined direction to the other, is then returned, 

 still inclining, and passed out at the bottom of the bore immediately under the 

 place where it entered : it is then formed into a siphon (b) about 3 ft. deep, 

 whence the condensed water is conveyed away. A smaller pipe is also con- 

 nected with the top of the large one, to receive the increase of water by 

 expansion when heated ; which, as the large pipe cools, returns into it again. 

 Fig. 32. shows the arrangement of the front pipes under the floor. The air 

 being admitted from the air-chamber underneath, through an opening extend- 

 ing the whole length of the pipes, and passing through the upper chamber on 

 each side of the pipes, is discharged through the grating into the house. The 

 arrangement of the back pipes is similar. Shallow cisterns are connected 

 with the upper part of the pipes, about 18 ft. from each other, by means of 

 hollow screws, which admit the water to pass to and fro reciprocally ; the 

 capacity of the cistern is more than sufficient to receive the increased bulk of 

 the water, which expands when heated, and returns again into the pipes as 

 the water cools. The external diameter of the front pipes, in this instance, 

 is 13 in. ; and of the back pipes, lOjin. : each set of pipes is divided in the 

 middle of their length, except that the nearest division of the front pipes 

 returns about half-way round, the end being in length rather more than 60 ft. 

 These water-pipes have 1J in. steam-pipes j extending in them their whole 

 length, and returning again, preserving a regular inclination throughout. The 

 back pipes have steam-pipes, of 1 in. in diameter, passing through them in 

 a similar way ; and the feeding-pipes are so arranged, that either division of 

 the pipes may be heated separately, or in conjunction with the rest. Another 

 advantage attending this mode of applying heat is, that, as no returning pipes 

 are necessary, as in the common hot-water apparatus, the bulk of water is 

 doubled, with the same extent of heating surface ; and the retaining power of 

 the apparatus is doubled accordingly. The cisterns are farther serviceable for 

 regulating the humidity of the house, which can be done with the greatest 

 accuracy by attending to the covers." 



Mode of heating the Atmosphere of Conservatories, Hot-houses, fyc, by Steam 

 discharged into Cases of Masonry or Brickwork. — Figs. 33. and 34. " represent 

 a mode of heating, by introducing steam into cases of stone or brick- 

 work, filled with rubble-stones, or pieces of broken brick. This mode 

 is equally applicable to the largest and smallest establishments. The 

 agent being steam, it possesses the same facility of application as 

 steam applied to hot-water pipes, and, consequently, the same ad- 

 vantages ; and may be adopted in conjunction with hot-water pipes 

 or not, as it may be thought desirable. Fig. 33. represents a cross 

 section of a case of masonry or brickwork, suitable for a green- 

 house of 14 ft. wide, with glazed roof, and 2 ft. 6 in. of glass in front. 

 Fig. 34. shows a view of the same, with part of the front taken away at each 

 enjd to show the inside. The steam-pipes are placed about 4 in. above the 

 bottom, and have perforations of about one tenth of an inch in diameter ; 



Q 3 



