On the Application of Steam. 32 1 



ing of them with dung heat is attended with other incon- 

 veniences, which are wholly unknown in the steaming pro- 

 cess. The other advantages which this plan has over the 

 usual methods are, giving the plants a fine heat, either in 

 a moist or dry state, and which can be regulated at plea- 

 sure ; the dry heat produced by steam differs materially 

 from that which is caused by fire-heat, as it is at all times 

 perfectly sweet, and has no tendency whatever to start the 

 plants into an untimely growth, if attention be paid to 

 applying it steadily and to the degree required : and al- 

 though steam may not exterminate either the bug or scale 

 on plants already infested with them, yet it is a certain 

 preventative of their further increase ; and in the growing 

 season, when moisture is wanted, a fine dewing with the 

 steam is much superior to watering them over the leaf, as, 

 by the latter method, the water is left standing in the hearts 

 of the plants, particularly if they be large ; but when steam 

 is used it is quickly absorbed by the leaves, and the plants, 

 so treated, wear the appearance of health and vigour. As 

 this process has altogether greatly exceeded my expecta- 

 tions, I beg leave to lay the following description of the 

 apparatus before the Horticultural Society.* 



The two divisions, in which I have tried the experiment, 

 were originally worked by two fires ; one, however, is now 

 amply sufficient, with the assistance of steam. 



The steam boiler (a) is calculated to hold twenty-four 



* The apparatus was erected by Mr. Stodhart, who resides at Camberwell ; he 

 also made the principal part of that for growing Cucumbers by steam, at Lady 

 Robert Manners 1 , at Sutton, in this county. 



