986 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



Holland, and such like temperatures. Fire-heat is therefore 

 seldom required, excepting in times of frost ; and indeed a 

 greater degree of injury generally attends the application of 

 too much fire-heat than the want of it, in the cultivation of 

 green-house and conservatory plants. It is, however, neces- 

 sary, that sufficient means be taken in the erection to enable 

 the cultivator to apply it at his own discretion. 



Fire-flues and steam have hitherto been employed in common 

 with all other kinds of similar erections, but since the intro- 

 duction of the hot-water system, there are but few who will 

 not avail themselves of it. 



In whatever way the conservatory be heated, it is of much 

 importance that it be done in such a manner as to have the 

 means concealed, as neither smoke-flues, steam, nor hot-water 

 pipes, however well they be executed, are pleasing objects in 

 such a structure ; and were they less so in point of deformity, 

 must necessarily occupy a space which would be much better 

 employed in giving greater breadth to the borders or foot- 

 paths. The position most generally adopted for the flues or 

 pipes, are under the foot-paths, and the heat is allowed to 

 enter the house through brass ventilators fixed into the pave- 

 ment, although in some cases this precaution is not attended 

 to, but the heat is allowed to find its way into the house 

 through the pavement ; a great loss of fuel must attend this 

 latter method, and a considerable difficulty occur in heating 

 the house quickly, which is often desirable, in order to repel 

 sudden attacks ot fiost. To remedy, in a very important 

 degree, this waste of fuel, and to facilitate the more rapid ad- 

 mission of heat, cast-iron grating should be used, if not for 

 the whole surface of the foot-path, at least for so much of it as 

 covers the flues or pipes. The expense can be no objection, 

 for in many cases the grating is cheaper than the pavement, 

 and it may be cast to any pattern, and sufficiently close to 

 render it comfortable to walk on. This grating should be 

 kept regularly painted a stone color, both to add to its neat- 

 ness and durability ; or, for greater elegance, the upper surface 

 may be covered witli brass, which, with a little attention to 

 cleaning, will add much to its neat appearance. As it is cast 

 iiito convenient pieces, they should be so laid down as to 



