Application of Heat to Fruit Borders, Sfc. 51 



II. The Granadilla [Passijlbra qiiadran- 

 guldris). This West Indian fruit, so beau- 

 tiful in its flowers, as well as rich in its 

 fruit, and therefore deserving of a place 

 whei'ever room can be conveniently made 

 for it, is trained from each end of the back 

 wall over the arches, and partly down the 

 piers, between the bananas. 



III. The Chijiese Guava {Vsidium Catt- ^'^-is. EndVie^. 

 /gj/anum). This rich tropical evergreen, so much to be desired 

 on account of its beauty, as well as of its luscious strawberry- 

 flavoured and deep claret- colon red fruit, is planted in tubs, at 

 each end of the house, where room has been provided for thern. 

 They are growing as standards, and are already showing flowers 

 in rich abundance. It is hoped they will also prove an interest- 

 ing and desirable addition to the dessert. 



IV. The Pine-apple. For the purpose of starting, swelling, 

 and ripening the fruit of this plant, a pit, as shown in the 

 section, has been provided in the centre of the house, capable of 

 containing four rows or so of good-sized plants, at a convenient 

 and suitable distance for such from the glass; which pit, in con- 

 sequence of the absence of cumbersome and shady front lights, 

 as well as from being on a level with the wall plate from which 

 the bars spring in front, has without any obstruction, as will be 

 easily perceived, the full advantage of solar heat and light, as they 

 may be required to promote the ripening and flavouring of the 

 fruit grown in the pit. For the culture of the plants previously 

 to this stage of their growth, a commodious, low, compact pit, 

 according to Rogers's plan (which I very much approve of), has 

 been provided ; and, as far as the bottom and surface heat 

 obtained from the pipes below is concerned, promises to work 

 well. 



The bottom heat in the pit of the house I am describing (as 

 well as in that of Rogers's pit, which has been similarly arranged) 

 is obtained in the steadiest and most regular manner. In 

 effecting this desirable result, I have been at considerable pains. 

 Taking into consideration the vexatious uncertainty and frequent 

 disappointment arising from the old burning system, if I may 

 so call it, of tan heat, along with its many inconveniences; 

 also the more recent and important improvements through the 

 medium of hot-water pipes in enclosed chambers beneath, par- 

 ticularly those where the surface is boarded over and perforated 

 for the reception of the pots ; and eminently successful, as, 

 from what I have seen, this latter method promises to be, still I 

 conceived that it was capable of material improvement, es- 

 pecially as regarded the medium in which the pots and roots 

 were placed. It immediately suggested itself that a suitable 



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