THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
330 
uncouth-looking acres of quarry debris, and perfume the air for 
several montlis in the year; while the same bold outline of the 
crags being preserved, assisted by the few pines dropped in as pro- 
posed, would render the entire scene very different in appearance 
from what it is at present. Of course some labour and expense 
would be incurred in accomplishing these improvements, but both 
would be well bestowed. It would he necessary, in clearing out 
the shivers, to form pits and (ill them with good soil for planting, 
which would give the trees a fair start, and I have no doubt they 
would continue to thrive extremely well. 
Extending up the hill beyond the crags, but before entering on 
the higher slope, the larch and Scotch fir (P. sijlvestris) could be 
massed in solid squares, so to speak, according as the several levels 
or inequalities occurred, and following the whole circle of the hill 
in one mass of Pinus Austriaca and Scotch fir, leaving the poll or 
summit bare and open, as at present, that the magnificent view from 
it may not be interfered with. 
{To he continued.) 
HEATING SMALL PLANT-HOHSES. 
BY WILLIAM COLE, 
Head Gardener, Ealing Park, Middlesex, W. 
making a few remarks on heating small plant-houses, I 
shall say but little about portable contrivances for keep- 
ing the frost out of these structures, for I have had no 
occasion to make myself acquainted with them. More- 
over, I believe them to cost more money and trouble 
than the results justify. I can well understand the anxiety of people 
with small gardens to have a little house in which to keep a few 
plants during the winter, but I would steadily set my face against the 
erection of houses which will not afford accommodation for sufficient 
plants to compensate for the cost of fuel and the trouble of attend- 
ing to the fire. I would also strongly advise those about to build, to 
either erect a house of sufficient size to be of service, or leave it 
alone. It would not be difficult to explain my reasons for so doing, 
but it will suffice on the present occasion to say that little houses 
are such a constant source of worry and vexation and anxiety, that 
but little pleasure can be experienced in attending to the plants. 
The erection of plant structures in a position near the dwelling-house 
where it is a work of extreme difficulty to fix a heating apparatus, 
cannot be condemned too strongly. It is as well to face these 
matters boldly, and say at once that all portable contrivances require 
quite as much attention as a properly-constructed flue, or a service 
of hot-water pipes, and are moreover less economical in working. 
Eor plant-houses of all kinds there .can be no doubt that a hot- 
water apparatus is the best, for the pipes take up but little room, 
and the heat diffused is of a most genial character. It must also be 
added that houses fitted with a service of hot-water pipes may be 
November. 
