FORCING DEPARTMENT. 101 



inch thick plank of Oak, and about 12 inches wide, 

 which preserves the brick work from being injured 

 by the removal or wheeling in the dung. The raf- 

 ters, wall plates, and sashes of the roof of this 

 building, are all composed of wood, and it is fur- 

 nished with a water gutter in front, which is a most 

 essential requisite for carrying off the roof water, 

 and preventing its falling on and chilling the dung. 

 The length of the pit is divided into four compart- 

 ments, so as to suit the different sizes or kinds of 

 Pine plants, which it may be considered necessary 

 to keep separate. It is well adapted for the 

 growth of the Pine in its early stage of growth ; 

 and if supplied with a hot-water pipe, would 

 answer every purpose that could be desired for 

 bringing what is justly called " the k'mg of fruits'' 

 to perfection, and in as good a state as it can be 

 brought to, in what is generally termed the fruiting 

 house. The pipes might, also, be constructed so as 

 to heat only one or more divisions at a time, or the 

 whole, as might be found necessary,, by placing a 

 small reservoir at the extremity of each compart- 

 ment, where the water might be stopped with 

 valves, and let on at pleasure, which is a very 

 simple and efficacious mode of applying the heat to 

 the different departments. The black Antigua's, 

 Jamaica's, Providence's, and such as are rather im- 

 patient of cold, could thus be kept in one division, 

 and supplied with a little fire heat, when necessary. 



3 F 



