408 Notices of Communications to the Society, of which 



February 22, 1820. Mr. Robert Gunter, in a Com- 

 munication read this day, states the effects which he had 

 found result from the application of Steam (the actual vapour) 

 as a bottom heat for Pine plants, in a stove in his garden at 

 Earl's Court, near Brompton. The steam was conveyed into a 

 chamber in the bottom of the pit, over which were laid cross 

 bars covered with brush- wood, and upon that was placed the 

 mould in which the Pines were planted. The quantity of 

 heat imparted to the earth was very great, but, contrary to 

 his expectation, no vapour ascended into the mould, which 

 became excessively dry and husky, nor was he able, by 

 frequent waterings, to keep it in a state fit for vegetation ; 

 the roots of the plants in it, in spite of every precaution, 

 becoming shrivelled and dry. 



The want of success in the experiment probably arose from 

 the circumstance of the vapour becoming condensed in the 

 chamber, so as that no part of the moisture penetrated the 

 earth, and the heat which did enter the mass of mould must 

 have been excessive, and would necessarily become destruc- 

 tive to vegetation. In Count Zu bow's steam-house at St. 

 Petersburg,* where steam was introduced into a chamber 

 similar to that of Mr. Gutter's stove, but which was partly 

 filled with water, which imbibed the heat of the steam, a 

 wholesome temperature was obtained, and communicated to 

 the mould above the chamber, in which Pines grew luxu- 

 riantly, though turned out of pots into the earth. 



March 13, J820. M. Vilmorin of Paris, in a letter to 

 the Secretary, communicates some particulars relative to 



* See Horticultural Tramactions, vol. iii. page 430. 



