STEAMING FORCING HOUSES. 
9 
spring frosts; for when the blossoms appear in the spring succeeding a 
wet autumn, they are always found to be defective, and in many 
cases entirely fall off; we have a striking instance of this the present 
year, the autumn of 1831 was dark and damp, with cold nights; of 
course the wood was far from being perfect, the result was a very par¬ 
tial crop; now this could not be attributed to the spring frosts, for 
never I think was a season more free from them. I should feel plea¬ 
sure in laying down rules for the application of steam, but as its use 
must depend on certain local circumstances, it can only of course 
rest with each individual operator. I shall just observe, however, 
that the safest rule is to apply it with a sparing hand, and never in 
the morning, except the weather be very dry, by no means introduce 
a vessel in which water is perpetually to stand, for should the wea¬ 
ther prove dark and cold, an addition of fire is requisite, which will 
produce an extra quantity of steam when there is already too much. 
It is far from me to dictate to the practical man, I here call for his 
assistance on a subject hitherto much neglected. I ever feel a plea¬ 
sure in communicating, as far as my abilities allow me, every 
thing which may render assistance to the proprietors of small forcing 
houses, who take a lively interest in the management of them them¬ 
selves. Hitherto I have made no mention of throwing water upon 
plants with the syringe, this is a most essential process when done 
in a proper manner and at proper times; if in the morning, and the 
sun is likely to appear, the safest mode is to do it as early as possible 
that the foliage may dry, before the sun has much power, also venti¬ 
late as soon as possible for nothing under glass can dispense with 
water over head in a clear sun without receiving injur}". In warm 
weather there is no danger to be entertained from syringing the 
foliage in the evening, but then it should not, at the same time, be 
thrown on the flues. I do not intend here to make mention of houses 
containing pine plants, for a very contrary process, is found by ex¬ 
perience, to suit them, better than what I have pointed out for other 
productions. In conclusion we may rest assured that every plant 
grown under glass which comes under the denomination of fruit will 
resist cold, and have a stronger constitution if kept only moderately 
supplied with vapour than it would under different treatment, if we 
subject a plant to a damp close apartment for any length of time we 
deprive it of the means of accumulating those very essential ingre¬ 
dients, which constitute the woody fibre, and as soon as the sun or 
air acts upon them they at once exhibit their wants by the drooping 
of their foliage, as will be found strikingly observable in the early 
part of the season in forcing houses. 
