March n, 1391. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
179 
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AEEANGING HOT-WATEE PIPES 
IN EEUIT HOUSES. 
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TTAVING almo.3t completed the erection of a range of glass for 
XX fruit culture chiefly, I am not satisfied about the best 
method of heating the houses. I do not ask which is 
the ‘ best boiler,’ as I have more than one kind already, 
and I am not able to say there is a ‘ best ’ among them. It 
is not a question of boiler, but of arranging the pipes, on 
which I seek information. The pipes in existing houses are 
arranged in a ‘stack’ along the front. My gardener says 
he would like those in the new houses ‘ spread out more,’ 
as at present he has ‘ too much heat in one place.’ I think there 
is something in what he says, but shall be glad if you can publish 
the experience of some gardener who has given what I may call 
the ‘ spreading out plan ’ a fair trial and found it satisfactory, or 
rather, I should say, more satisfactory than the orthodox method of 
arrangement.” Thus writes a correspondent, and it so happens 
that what appears to be the exact information needed has also 
come to hand this week in the following communication. As the 
subject is important we give it prominence, and though we know 
the system advocated answers admirably, we are bound also to 
observe that some of the finest fruit in the kingdom is grown in 
houses that are heated, as he describes, in the “ most objectionable ” 
'way. “ Heating Reformer” writes :—■ 
“ At this time of year many persons are busy erecting new glass 
houses for the production of fruit, and it is a good opportunity to 
consider the best mode of arranging hot-water pipes. The most 
•objectionable though still a common plan is, in the case of vineries, 
to have the hot-water pipes close together along the front of the 
house just over the surface of the border ; say, if four pipes are 
employed, placing two upon two, or if in a larger house, three 
pipes over three others. This plan may be carried out for the 
sake of appearance or convenience in the house, or a stage may be 
■erected over the pipes upon which plants are to be grown. As far 
as the welfare of the Yines is concerned the arrangement is bad, 
because the heat which is meant to be spread over the whole of 
the vinery is concentrated in one place underneath the Yines along 
the front of the house, which causes that part to be at least 10° 
hotter than the other parts farthest from the pipes. Seldom do 
Yines growing in a house heated in this manner escape an attack 
of red spider, for the heat at times arising from the pipes is 
excessive, causing the air to become dry. Pipes arranged in this 
manner also often dry the surface of the border far more quickly 
than is good for the roots. I have seen many of the bunches which 
hang over the hot-water pipes spoiled owing to so many of the 
berries being “ rusted,” caused by strong heat immediately under 
neath them when the Yines were in bloom. Especially will the 
berries be liable to be rusted if much moisture arises from the 
pipes owing to the presence of plants on stages over them. 
“I will now give my opinion as to the best means of averting 
the evils named. Presuming a house which is 18 feet wide, or 2 or 
3 feet less, is intended to be a vinery in which the Grapes are to 
be ripe at the end of June, six rows of hot-water pipes would not be 
too many to maintain the necessary temperatures during the 
various stages of growth. It is misplaced economy to have too few 
pipes ; the consumption of fuel is sure to be greater where the 
pipes are limited, it being necessary to maintain them hotter than 
if there were a greater radiating heat surface. Instead of placing 
No. 658.— Yol. XXII., Third Series, 
these six pipes together at the front of the house they should be 
spread over the border at a distance of 2 feet apart. The first pipe 
being fixed close to the front wall and just below the sill of the 
woodwork of the front ventilators. The heat will then be equalised 
throughout the whole hause in a much more useful manner than by 
the method previously named. 
“ Another advantage gained by this arrangement is that the 
moisture arising from the evaporating troughs will be more evenly 
distributed to the Yines, as the troughs can be arranged on alternate 
pipes starting at the second from the front. They should not be 
placed opposite each other, but in alternate spaces. If the 
evaporating troughs are G feet long they will emit a good supply of 
moisture. Five of these six pipes should be flow pipes, being 
c. 9 nnected at one end with a pipe across the border with angular 
connections, which admits of a rapid and regular circulation. One 
return pipe is sufficient to convey the water back again into the 
main pipe for transmission to the boiler. Where the five flow 
pipes are taken direct from one source the circulation is much more 
rapid and even than where the supply is taken by two flow pipes, 
for instance, the length of the house, returned, and again carried 
round without any connection, as is sometimes the case. Light 
abutting pillars built in the wall at each end to carry the cross pipes 
and one or two light wrought iron I-shaped girders let 3 inches 
into the front wall of the vinery and supported on the retaining 
wall at the outside of the border, or a 9-inch brick built pier 
put up to secure the opposite end of the girder, will be suffi¬ 
cient support in the middle of the border for the hot-water 
pipes, and no interference with the Yine border will be needed. 
The pipes will require but little rise to make the water circulate 
freely ; 1 inch in 24 feet is sufficient provided the main from which 
the vinery pipes is taken is well arranged in that respect. 
“ Where other houses besides the vinery are heated from the 
same boiler it is wise to have a separate main running behind the 
houses, so that the connection for each house can be made with the 
main, both flow and return, independent of any other house. If 
both flow and return pipes in the vinery, for instance, are fitted 
with watertight valves the heat is thoroughly at command at all 
times, and in the case of a breakdown in any other part of the 
heating arrangement, it is necessary to drain the water from 
the boiler and mains, the water in the pipes in the vinery may be 
saved, which in some situations is a gain. If both flow and return 
pipes are not fitted with valves the heat in the vinery is not nearly 
so well under command, as it will “ back up ” through the return 
pipe when the circulation is cut ofE by the valve on the flow pipe 
being closed. 
“ In the case of heating a Peach house in which the fruit is not 
required before the middle of June three rows of hot-water pipes 
will be sufficient to maintain the desired heat. If the house is 
fitted with a curved trellis at the front of the house, the trees 
planted say 2 feet 6 inches from the front lights, two rows of 
pipes may be laid parallel to each other on the level close to the 
front wall and immediately underneath the front lights, with a 
view to warming the air coming through the ventilators, as in the 
vinery. These two pipes may both be flows, connecting at the end 
from the single flow pipe from the boiler. The third pipe in the 
Peach house will be the return, which will provide ample heat for 
Peaches except the house be in a very much exposed situation. 
Where possible the air-pipes should be self-acting, one to each 
house being sufficient, selecting the highest point in the flow pipe, 
where the air is sure to collect if at any time the pipes are not full 
of water. Some persons have taps fitted to the air-pipes. This 
is ia mistake, as they are likely to be forgotten at times. The 
air accumulates, the circulation of the water is checked, and conse¬ 
quently the heat is lessened. Self-acting air-pipes may be fixed 
into the top of the pipe, that part being either half-inch iron or 
copper pipe for at least 2 feet above the pipes, which is better than 
lead or, what is more generally used, a composite metal; it is soft, 
I No. 2214.—Yol. LXXXIY., Old Series. 
