254 CULTURAL HINTS ON SOME OF THE PLANTS 
he had, by ordinary means and the use of very coarse fuel, maintained a tempe- 
rature of fully 60° by night, varying scarcely two degrees throughout the house. 
Now, we want economy of fuel, the combustion of breeze and such like stuff, a 
power to command 60° to 65° as a minimum, and a moist or dry atmosphere at will. 
We do not claim 60° as essential, but we say, be sure of the power to do so, and 
then suffer the temperature to recede to 50° — 55° by night, if you please. 
Possessing this requisite power, must not the construction of a house which can 
confer it be a very great acquisition ? We do not argue for, or advocate " Polmaise," 
and as far as possible, repudiate the term ; it has proved a bone of contention : and 
in Mr. Meek's stove there were no wet blanket, water-jets, or any peculiar appliances 
whatsoever. An air-flue, conveying (but invisibly) a constant stream of air, driven 
onward over a heated plate * by the impetus of a descending current of cold air from 
the body of the house, formed the active principle of the apparatus. Now, there 
is every reason to believe that the general theory is sound, and the machinery light 
in expense. We neither urge any one to adopt it at this season, nor to make any 
alterations of old structures. But should a new pit or something of the kind 
be required, it might be advisable to adopt the form, after mature reflection and 
consultation, since it is undeniable that the winter repose of those plants which indicate, 
by certain appearances, their tendency to lapse into it, can be safely maintained in 
the cool parts of such a house ; while other plants which retain verdure and growth 
can be supported therein with facility. 
A free circulation of air is vitality — mouldiness caunot subsist therein, and our 
proposed apparatus assuredly carries it on throughout. 
CULTURAL HINTS ON SOME OF THE PLANTS BELONGING 
TO THE GENUS STATICE. 
The Statice, or Sea-Lavender, is a very beautiful family of plants belonging 
to the natural order PlumbagineaB, and are low shrubs or herbaceous plants, with 
showy red, blue, white, or yellow flowers, of a dry texture, inhabiting salt marshes 
and sub-alpine tracts in the temperate latitudes of both the northern and southern 
hemispheres. " All the Statices are fine plants worth cultivating," at least so writes 
the late Mr. Loudon, at p. 539 of the " Hortus Britannicus ; " and, without venturing 
to contradict such an authority, we may state that many species of the genus are 
plants of very considerable and diversified attractions, and well deserving of extensive 
cultivation. As may be inferred from the Statices being natives of both the northern 
and southern hemispheres, some of the species are perfectly hardy, and make 
admirable plants for rock scenery ; but it is among the greenhouse species — those 
* Heated " brick-work," it seems, may be substituted. 
