Method of conveying Water to Plants, in Houses. 15 



issues in a fine stream, and, in descending, is broken, and 

 falls on the plants, in a manner resembling a gentle summer 

 shower. The holes are perforated in the pipe with a needle, 

 fixed into a handle like that of an awl ; it being impossible 

 to have the holes too fine, very small needles are necessarily 

 used for the purpose, and in the operation great numbers 

 are of course broken. The situation of the holes in the pipe 

 must be such as to disperse the water in every direction that 

 may be required, and in this particular the relative position 

 of the pipe, and of the stations of the plants to be watered, 

 must be considered, in making the perforations. The holes 

 are made, on an average, at about two inches distance from 

 each other, horizontally, but are somewhat more distant 

 near the commencement, and rather closer towards the ter- 

 mination, of the pipe, allowing thereby for the relative excess 

 and diminution of pressure, to give an equal supply of water 

 to each end of the house. A single pipe is sufficient for a 

 house of moderate length : one house of Messrs. Loddiges, 

 which is thus watered, is sixty feet long, and the only differ- 

 ence to be made in adapting the plan to a longer range, is 

 to have the pipe larger. The reservoir to supply the pipe 

 must of course be so much above the level, as to exert a 

 sufficient force on the water in the pipe, to make it flow 

 with rapidity, as it will otherwise escape only in drops ; and 

 as too strong a power may be readily controlled by the stop- 

 cock, the essential point to be attended to, in this particular, 

 is to secure force enough. 



From the above details it will be observed, that some 

 nicety is required in the arrangement and formation of the 



