WOOD AND METAL HOT-HOUSES. 
201 
plants, for the more light, the better organic bodies perform their 
functions ; the more light and air, the richer will be the colour, and 
finer the flavour of the fruit. Metal houses thus far possess superi¬ 
ority over wooden ones. I wish some of our scientific practical men 
would investigate the subject well, and set matters in a proper light, 
for it is to such men that we must look, who, from their great expe¬ 
rience in horticulture, are able to direct us by their own actual 
observations. Although durability is certainly on the side of wood, 
yet if metal ones be erected on a proper principle, I have no doubt 
of their giving perfect satisfaction. For the growth of pines I think 
them exceedingly well adapted, the plants appear to perform their 
functions sooner, their fruit swells larger, and is of a higher flavour. 
The hot-water system I think preferable to flues, it consumes less 
coals, and is more convenient to the cultivator. There need be no 
fear of a deficiency of heat, I have seen the thermometer stand be¬ 
tween sixty and seventy degrees, when the external air was nine deg. 
below the freezing point; this heat is also regularly given in every 
part of the house, and one fire seems to give the required tempera¬ 
ture on a larger scale more regularly than two would according to the 
old system. 
In writing the above I beg it to be understood that I am not 
governed by prejudice, I merely give a candid opinion founded on 
my own observations, I would advocate no system unless I thought 
its merits deserved advocating. This I imagine to be the case with 
metallic houses, if, however, your practical correspondents prove the 
contrary to be true, it will be highly satisfactory, not only to myself 
but to many others, who are also anxiously waiting to hear their de¬ 
cisions. We are perfectly aware of the durability and usefulness of 
wooden houses, of metal ones we are not. Yet I am led to believe 
from my own experience that they will be found superior, but I think 
that they should always be heated by hot-water. The yellow hue 
complained of by Mr. McMurtrie I have never seen, my pines have 
always appeared of a fine colour, and grown very vigorous. When 
this does appear I am inclined to agree with Mr. Stafford, volume 1, 
page 295, that the great evil exists in close glazing ; it is true during 
the hot months of July and August, the leaves oi the plants will 
assume a more red colour under metal than under wood, providing 
they be not shaded a few hours in mid-day; also when pines are 
brought from under vines in the summer, and placed under a metal 
roof, if they are not shaded the sun will burn their leaves, particu¬ 
larly if they have stood thick before their removal. 
W. Brown, Jun. 
January 21, 1831. 
