FIRE HEAT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. 
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ere long, we may hope to witness its entire removal. The present year,- — since 
we penned a few observations on the applicability of gas to the purposes of the 
gardener, — has brought to public notice two grand improvements in the machinery 
for the diffusion of radiating heat. 
Dr. Arnott's stove is the best known and most appreciable of the two : it 
consists of an iron case or box, so contrived that the productions of a perfectly 
regulated combustion shall in no way interfere with the atmosphere of a room or 
apartment ; and it so economises fuel, that two or three pennyworth of that 
intractable, smokeless substance, coke, will suffice to distribute heat regularly, 
without much attention on the part -of the attendant, during twenty-four hours. 
This stove is assuredly suitable in its principle to greenhouses and temperate hot- 
houses, where a moderate heat only is required ; and it might likewise be rendered 
an ornamental object. The means of diffusing moisture as well as heat, at the 
growing season, by the addition of a shallow trough or cistern, is also placed at 
the option of the gardener. 
But highly as we think of this invention, there is another just announced, 
which promises to offer far higher advantages. A discovery has been made, we 
believe simultaneously by three persons, which, at a very trifling expense, presents 
the means, not only to remove smoke, but to render every particle of the fuligi- 
nous matter available to the production of heat, and consequently to the saving 
of an immense quantity of fuel. The parties, we hear, have coalesced, and secured 
their discoveries by patents. 
How far these may interfere with the application of the machinery to forcing- 
houses, stoves, vineries, and greenhouses, we know not ; but we write upon the 
grounds of perfect conviction, from the assurances of a close and critical observer, 
that, by the instrumentality of a jet of steam distributed over a black and smoky 
surface of even wetted small-coal, every portion of smoke became instantly ignited, 
distributing a volume of heat in lieu of a cloud of vaporous soot. We do not wish 
to anticipate, but merely to inform the inquiring reader that there is that in pro- 
gress which, at no distant day, unless some cross events interfere, will wholly 
destroy a two-fold nuisance, and increase the efficiency of our furnaces in propor- 
tion as it economises their means of supply. 
We hope that the invention will proceed, and be fully acted upon ; for nothing, 
of a certainty, could so tend to enhance the pleasures of horticulture, as the 
possession of a method to produce increased temperature, relieved from that 
serious outlay of money which " gives pause " to many an ardent admirer of those 
beautiful subjects of the warmer climates, that are, by hundreds, introduced every 
succeeding year, through the zeal of our collectors. 
The discovery of the combustible energy of steam implies so many interesting 
chemical phenomena, that we only wait for further facts to enable us to invite 
the attention of reflecting readers to an investigation of their character and 
results. 
