250 On the Management of Hothouse Flues. 



and leaving the door more or less open, according to the mo- 

 tion of the air, otherwise the draught of the furnace. In the 

 morning, the fire was sometimes just alive, so as to rekindle 

 on being stirred, but more frequently it was wholly extinguish-< 

 ed. But whether it was in or out, the temperature of the 

 house was much the same, and always very low, in accordance 

 with that without doors. However, by other attentions, I 

 contrived to keep the frost out, and to preserve a few Pine 

 plants with a tolerably healthy appearance through the winter. 



But I was so very much dissatisfied with the furnace ma- 

 nagement, that I resolved, if I should live to see another 

 winter, to put in execution the ovenian plan, which resolution 

 the perusal of Mr. Atkinson's Paper on the management of 

 furnaces* in the mean time tended in no small degree to 

 Confirm. Accordingly, in the month of September, I began 

 to prepare for this new scheme of reform. First, I had the 

 wall around the opening of the furnace and ash-hole, which 

 had been left in a rough state, made plain and level with 

 plaister. Next, I had to prepare a door for this opening which 

 would shut close, and at the same time resist the heat ; being 

 averse to the use of iron for this purpose on account of its heat- 

 conducting quality, I obtained from Bristol a large Welsh 

 slate sufficient to cover the whole. This slate was squared, 

 fitted, and framed with good red deal, in the manner of a 

 ciphering slate, but more substantially. The inside of the 

 frame (that which, when applied as a door, was to press against 

 the wall) was lined all round with thick cloth list. It was 

 then slung in a pulley just over the fire place, and balanced 

 with a weight. In this state it was moveable up and down 

 with the least exertion, and when drawn up was out of harm's 

 * Horticultural Transactions, Vol. v. page 467. 



