OF THE PINE-APPLE. 



289 



both ends to the middle, where a semi-circular 

 stone, one foot in diameter, worked in the form of 

 a bason, should receive the water. This stone must 

 have a hole cut at the bottom, into which a leaden 

 pipe should be fixed, which will take the water 

 from thence to any part of the hot-house under the 

 level of the stone. 



The large hot-house at Welbeck is thus contrived; 

 so that all the rain that falls upon its roof, which 

 contains above three thousand square feet, is 

 brought at pleasure into a large cistern in the front- 

 bed in the middle of the stove. 



I should have observed, that the groove in front 

 is covered with lead ; likewise, that there is a 

 waste-pipe in the cistern to take off the water when 

 the cistern is full ; also, that a small plug prevents 

 the water from coming into the cistern, when not 

 required ; and that the cistern is sufficiently large 

 to contain a reserve of water against dry weather. 



On Fire proper for the Hot-house. 



It would be so difficult to keep the Pine-apple 

 plant in any part of this island, throughout a severe 

 winter, without the assistance of fire, that I believe 

 I do not assert too much when I say it would be im- 

 possible : but at the same time that fire is absolutely 

 necessary, the moderate use of it will be found 

 equally so. 



Coal is the most general fuel used in hot-houses, 

 although peat, turf, or wood, will answer the pur- 



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