ON THE CONSTRUCTION AND HEATING OF HOT-HOUSES. 
245 
the taste of the proprietor, and many other circumstances, which must be decided by 
the person entrusted to accomplish the work. See our observations, pages 80, 81. 
A correspondent to the Horticultural Register suggested the idea of construct- 
ing a stove or conservatory, so that a less quantity of glass would be required, and 
that better secured from the effects of hail, (see fig. 1.) 
All the perpendicular parts to be glass, the others to be 
covered with slate. The advantage would be, the great 
height to which it might be carried, for a little money, 
enabling us to walk under groves of palm-trees, 70 feet 
high ; and ponds might be formed and heated to any 
degree required, in which Nymphseas and other aquatics 
could be grown, surrounded by gold and silver fish. 
The disadvantages are these : 1st, it would be very 
inferior in appearance to those wholly composed of 
glass, and 2nd, its peculiar construction would allow 
the wind to have very great power upon it. 
On the mode of heating, something may be said more to the point, although in 
this case the taste and judgment of the person appointed to superintend must be 
used. There are three ways of heating hot-houses, viz. : — by fire flues, by hot 
water, and by steam. For ordinary purposes, the first, if properly constructed, 
are undoubtedly the best; for plant-stoves, where a constant fire is necessary 
throughout the year, a hot-water apparatus on a good principle is excellent ; and 
for particular purposes, steam answers well. 
But neither of the two last modes can be applied to general purposes like the 
first, and this for two reasons, viz. : — because many houses are not forced at all 
throughout the year, and therefore require very little fire, and what little they have 
is merely at a time of excessive wet, or severe frost, to prevent the plants damping 
off with the effects of the first, and from being frozen by the latter. For the first 
of these evils, neither hot water or steam would answer well ; for the latter, both 
would do, but for another objection, and that is the expense. The expense of either 
a steam or hot-water apparatus is so great when compared with that of common 
smoke-flues, that in a house where little fire was required, the extra expense would 
be in a great measure thrown away. 
In all cases, it is indispensable that the flues be made secure by good flue covers, 
and the workmanship done in a proper manner; for any escape of smoke will 
invariably injure, if not destroy, the plants exposed to its influence. 
For all houses requiring little fire, we recommend the use of the common fur- 
naces, which may have a bit of fire put in at any time in a few minutes, and be put 
out again quickly, if required ; but, if much heat is wanted, and that for a long 
time, we would say use Chanter's Patent Smoke-burning Furnace, which will give a 
great heat without subjecting the proprietor to the usual nuisance, Smoke. 
The prevention of smoke from furnaces, in towns and manufactories, has for 
