October 19, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
861 
can easily be ascertained by comparing the different qualities of 
anthracite, coke, and coal. For instance, ordinary coal can only be used 
extensively where the gardens happen to be in close proximity to a 
colliery, it being cheaper then than having to send away for coke or 
anthracite. This is the only really good point in its favour. Now look 
at its disadvantages. It is almost unequalled for throwing off a dense 
smoke, highly charged with gases detrimental to vegetation, also produc¬ 
ing much soot, which generally drops on the roofs of glass structures, or 
alighting on the leaves and flowers of plants in the houses as soon as 
the ventilators are opened, thus giving them an undesirable appearance. 
Then look at the filthy state of the flues and chimney ; notice how often 
the flues are choked, thus costing considerably more labouri in cleaning 
than is required by either coke or anthracite. 
The next to be considered is coke. As a heat producer I put it on 
a level with anthracite, but its great disadvantage is the amount of labour 
entailed in stoking compared with that of anthracite. Coke, moreover, 
is so very porous that it will absorb a very large quantity of moisture 
if kept in the open air, and this moisture must first be dried before it 
can give any chance for the coke to become ignited. Some people have 
an idea that coke burns much better if watered. This to my mind is a 
serious mistake, for watering the coke decreases its heating power. If 
water was put into the ash pit it would not only cause the fire to burn 
clearer and brighter, but also utilise the heat that is radiated downwards 
from the firebars. There are also the sulphur fumes, the continual visits 
to the stokehole, attended by the necessary clinkering and poking, this 
meaning more waste, viz., clinkers and ashes. Then look at the short 
time a coke fire will last compared with one of anthracite, thus wasting 
valuable time. 
The points by which anthracite predominates over other fuels for 
horticultural purposes are greater durability, less labour in stoking, 
perfectly smokeless, and less sulphur fumes. A fire may be banked up 
at 6 P.M., and it will not require touching until noon the next day; 
this proves its durability. There is less of that continual poking 
required, therefore less labour in stoking. Scientists assert that the 
heating power of any fuel is approximately proportionate to the per¬ 
centage by weight of the carbon it contains, therefore anthracite 
containing 90 per cent, of carbon heads the list. Of course there are 
disadvantages, but they are not so great as those attending coke or coal. 
There is the price to be considered ; certainly it is dearer than coke or 
coal, but 2 tons of anthracite are of more value than 3 tons of coke or 
coal. Then some persons dislike the working of it, but this very often 
is the fault of the stoker and not the fuel. All that is required in 
stoking with anthracite is described under stoking. 
(7), Stoking. 
Having the desired fuel at our command the system of stoking must 
be considered. How many failures have there been ? How much 
damage has been done 1 through the total absence of any desire to 
become a stoker in the true sense of the word. Why this ambition is 
so seldom met with is to me an unsolved problem. According to my 
experience only two gardeners out of every twelve have any real heart 
in this part of their work. 
As I advocate the use of anthracite I will give a simple method of 
stoking with it, which may be brought into daily use. The first thing 
required is a thorough draught, and therefore the firebars, flues, and 
chimney must be kept clean. At midday allow the fire to burn very 
low, and after removing the clinkers thoroughly clean the back of the 
boiler and firebars, then push the clean fire towards the back of the 
boiler; put on a little fresh fuel, which should be broken to the 
size of a teacup, and not placed on the bars in too thick a layer. After 
opening the ashpit door, and carefully working the damper, allow the 
fresh fuel to be thoroughly burnt through before any more is added to 
it, and if by this time the desired heat has not been obtained add more 
fuel, keeping the poker out of the fire, except it be to remove the dust 
on the bars. When the required heat has been secured regulate the 
draught according to the weather. At banking up time push the 
majority of the fire to the back of the boiler, and fill the front portion 
with fresh fuel. By pushing the fire to the back the heat is regulated, 
while the fresh fuel is getting ignited. The fire may then be left with 
safety until the morning, and if there has been no marked change in 
the weather it may be checked until afternoon. Of course the discretion 
of the stoker will allow him to know whether the fire should be started 
in the morning or not, but the chief point for him to watch is to keep 
a clean fire without the continual use of the poker. What little ash 
there is in the ash-box should be removed every afternoon when the 
fire is started, and water to the depth of a couple of inches be put in 
its place, the advantage of this being already pointed out. 
(8), Stokers. 
The task of a stoker is truly momentous, and a few remarks on his 
duties may not be out of place. Let the student observe these rules— 
(1) Cleanliness, (2) use discretion, (3) study the weather. No stoker 
should visit his fire without knowing the temperature of the houses ; 
the temperature of outside air; the direction of the wind, noticing of 
course which houses suffer most ; the changes that have taken place in 
the weather during a certain number of hours ; and then calculate 
what will be most likely to happen next, and work his fire accordingly. 
He must be careful that the flees and chimney are kept clean, also that 
the feed cistern always contains clean water. One very important point 
for him to watch is, he must not have too much fire heat in the houses, 
as more than sufficient heat is not only waste, but the plants get drawn 
and dried. He must keep his valves in good working order, so as to be 
in readiness in case of any unforeseen occurrence. As a general rule 
the above will prove the qualities of a person wishing to become a stoker, 
and it is here, in the stokehole, where the character of a man, no matter 
FIG. 5-t.— MR. H. CORLETT. 
whether he be young or old, is unconsciously, but truly, displayed, for 
should he have an untidy stokehole he is bound to be the same at his 
work ; but if, on the other hand, he keeps a clean stokehole, then he will 
be quite as neat and clean in any other work he has to perform. This 
latter qualifying point is one of great importance if he be employed in 
a private garden. 
[We have pleasure in publishing a portrait of Mr. H. Corlett, and 
congratulate him on the general excellence of his essay.] 
HARD COLD WATER FOR PLANTS. 
I AM afraid my young friend and former pupil Mr. Dunn (page 317) 
is going to get the worst of the cold water argument, as weighty 
evidence seems to be forthcoming against him. Soft water, or that 
which has been exposed to atmospheric influences for some time, not 
being available in ninety-nine gardens out of every hundred, the best 
must be made of the cold water at our disposal ; but that is no argument 
of its being better, or even so good, for plants in general, as is water that 
has been softened and warmed by exposure. Which of the two is best I 
Which would cultivators prefer if they had the choice ? 
The use of tap and well water during the hottest months of the year 
does not, as a rule, show any evil results ; but we must draw a line, or 
the use of cold hard water, recommended as it is being done, may end 
in the ruin of many plants, Would those who are advocating the use of 
cold hard water use it direct from taps and wells during the winter and 
early spring months, when the temperature of the water would be 
20° lower, more or less, than the house in which plants or fruits may be 
growing ? If the advocates of hard cold water do this, then I must join 
with Mr. Dunn and condemn the practice. 
I cannot bring my mind to believe that Mr. Molyneux, or the other 
able cultivator taking part in this discussion, would think of using 
water direct from taps and wells for Crotons growing from October to 
