328 FORCING DEPARTMENT. 



largest compartment here allotted to the boiler and 

 these sized pipes, contains about 5,060 cubical feet 

 of air, and 1,080 superficial feet of glass, which is 

 more than we generally find heated by a single fire 

 or flue in a Forcing-House, and is more than I should 

 recommend to be heated by the same sized boiler, 

 and pipes, for early forcing ; and when such houses 

 are intended for early crops, they should have a 

 larger surface of pipes, or otherwise the flue ought to 

 be carried along the back wall or footpath, which 

 will have a considerable tendency to increase the 

 temperature, with the same consumption of fuel. 

 But, in the houses here, the flues are carried nearly 

 perpendicular from the boiler, and, in consequence, 

 a portion of the heat escapes out at the chimney 

 tops, that would otherwise be saved, if conducted 

 along the back path or wall. 



The most suitable sized house, in my opinion, for 

 very early forcing, and to be heated only with one 

 fire, with the boiler, pipes, &c. of the dimensions 

 above specified, should not have to heat a greater 

 area than 3,000 or 3,500 feet of air. The smaller 

 the house is for this purpose, the greater command 

 there will be in severe weather, and the less fuel 

 required for the maturity of the earliest crop. It is 

 more advisable to begin forcing in the smaller com- 

 partments, and to leave those of larger dimensions to 

 follow in succession,, when the season is more 

 favourable to vegetation, and when there is less 

 risk in having a full crop, particularly of stone 

 fruit. 



