1852.1 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 253 



*• 07)^ -^Si^ 



^the house below freezing: point. To do this we have to take measures (V) 

 ■f to exclude the external air, and secondly to prevent the natural warmth ^L 

 of the ground from affecting it. To this end the bottom and sides \ 

 should be hollow, so that there may be a stratum of air enclosed be- 

 tween two faces, these communicating with a ventilator at the top, 

 whereby any heat which may arise, can escape. Where it is desirable 

 to keep ice a very long time, or without much waste, the hollow sides 

 might be made double ; this would prevent entrance of heat, either by 

 radiation or conduction. In collecting, the largest and thickest lumps 

 should be chosen, as they will be fewer air cavities in the whole mass 

 when the house is tilled. Shavings is the best material to cover the 

 whole when finished, being less liable to decay than straw, so giving 

 out less heat by decomposition. Ice wells are of the last age. Houses 

 above ground can be made to keep ice longer than the very best 

 wells, besides being cheaper, more easily managed, and less trouble- 

 some in keeping in order. T. J. 



Cfje /iorist anb lortiraltnml lonrnal 



Philadelphia, December, 1852. 



But a few years ago, and American horticultural literature was un- 

 known. What had we even ten years ago that was worthy the name 

 of a horticultural magazine — what encouragement had the horticul- 

 turist to devote his time and attention to the instructing of his coun- 

 trymen in the beautiful art. A few years have rolled by and the as- 

 pect is quite changed — now the fear seems to be that the serial litera- 

 ture of gardening is about to be overdone. The u Horticulturist," 

 under the able conduct of the late A. J. Downing, appeared to have 

 established itself as the authority on these matters. Hovey's Maga- 

 zine, from the experience of its conductor, has attained a respectable 

 character. The Western Horticultural Review claims a share of con- 

 sideration as the exponent of the principles carried out in the western 

 portion of the Union. Amongst the vineyards and strawberry planta- 

 tions of Longworth, it has at least a fair opportunity of elevating it- 

 self under the editorship of Dr. Warder. The Ohio Cultivator de- 

 mands attention, but its sphere is more agricultural than horticultural; 

 it is, however, one of the most reliable of its class. Then we have the 

 "Soil of the South," and Southern Cultivator, professing to watch 

 over the more immediate interests of southern cultivation, so different 

 in all its details and operations from that carried out in the northern 

 states. All these have their chosen and separate spheres of action. 

 They do not as yet encroach upon or clash with each other — we be- 

 lieve there is room for many more. We have yet in the north the 



I Farmer and Artizan, of Portland, Me., and in the west, the Farmer J 

 and Dairyman, all good and useful in their way. The agriculturists Jy 



£j of >w York have the Albany Cultivator, the Rural New Yorker, the<S\ 



