310 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
July 31. 
water would, just when it liked ; and capricious it was, 
as any fairy form could be. You could hear the water 
roaring in desperation in the elevated leg of the flow- 
pipe ; so hot did it become, that it even went a distance 
up the lower end of the return-pipe. This elevated 
piece of the flow-pipe was scorching hot, and still the 
great proportion of pipe was almost cold. A little 
more would have hurst the pipes, to a certainty. 
What an evidence of the non-conducting-of-heat powers 
of confined air ! The rationale of the whole affair 
is easily seen. The fire slackens, or goes out; the 
water in that elevated limb contracts and settles 
nearer the boiler. That in the pipes and cistern con¬ 
tracts likewise as it gets colder, and wants less room 
to hold it. The highest point of the flow-pipe, that 
next the boiler, is thus left empty of water; but air 
takes its place. When the fire is again applied the water 
is expanded, presses and compresses the air; but if there 
is much of it the water might as well try to squeeze through 
a huge block of granite. A small hole is bored at this 
highest point, out streams a column of air that would 
pretty well have gone through your hand like a bullet. 
Before long, tbe water comes bubbling up as you have 
fresh filled the cistern, and then the circulation goes on. 
Even then, however, it was not quite so good as desired, 
and so the cistern was placed over the highest part of 
the pipe, and there was no more trouble with the 
heating. 
In another case, two pipes went round the house, 
rising gradually for half the distance, and sinking i 
gradually for the other half, the supply cistern being 
nearest the lowest part. In this case, likewise, circula- > 
tion was stopped. A small air-pipe, half-an-inch or 
three-eighths in diameter, and a yard in length, was 
inserted at the highest point, and there has been no 
more trouble with the circulation. Where the pipes are I 
by any means unlevel, the expansion and contraction of j 
the w'ater will have a vacuum, as respects water, at the 
highest points; but that vacuum will be filled with air, 
which must have free vent before the two bodies of j 
water can meet and unite. 
TANKS. 
A few words as respects Tanks. If wood is used, it I 
should be the best deal, and from one-and-a-half to two I 
inches in thickness, made as before stated. This covered j 
with slate would answer admirably. Large slabs would 
answer best if to be close ; but if to be moderately open, 
house slates would answer if there was not much 
weight placed over them. The width would depend 
on the size of these common slates. A divison should 
run up the middle, leaving an opening at the end, and 
this, as well as the sides, will support the covering. 
The length of the pit, and about three feet wide, would 
be sufficient for such a place. Whatever form of tank 
be used it should be level, unless it be strong, and 
a covering well secured. This is how I would make 
a cement tank, say three or four feet in width. Lay 
I down some grouting of lime and gravel a foot wider 
than the tank is to be, and some six or twelve 
inches in thickness. Let it have time to form and con¬ 
solidate, preserving the surface quite smooth. On this 
lay a layer of bricks in lime mortar; on this place 
another layer on their broadsides in good cement. This 
forms the bottom of the tank. Lay out its width, say 
from three to four feet. On this build a dwarf wall all 
round, consisting of two bricks in bed laid in cement. 
Cover the whole of the bottom and the sides of the tank 
with a layer of good cement and sand, and the tank is 
finished. Alike to help circulation and to support the 
covering, run a similar wall of two bricks, or one of 
brick on edge, along the middle, leaving an opening at 
the further end. Introduce the flow-pipe at the one side 
at the end, and the return-pipe at the other side of the 
dividing wall in the middle, and no more is necessary 
than filling it within half-an-inch of the covering, and 
lighting and keeping proper fires. 
In the tank alluded to by our correspondent, the 
water is heated by pipes supplied with hot-water 
passing through them. It is a mistake that anything is 
gained in the way of heating by this mode. If the tank 
is wholly or partially open, and a moist atmosphere is 
wanted, this is one of the best modes of securing it, as 
the moist vapour will be more regular than when sup¬ 
plied by moist stones around the pipes. This mode of 
heating has nothing to do with the construction of the 
tank, or with the question “ tank versus pipes,” as this 
is merely a combination of both. I say nothing against 
such a mode further than this, that in these times a 
person ought to be contented if he get either the one or 
the other. It remains only to be added, that when a 
tank is used for bottom and top-heat, there ought to be 
conveniences for allowing the heated air to rise into the 
atmosphere. A hollow space over the tank, with slides 
to let the heat out at pleasure, would effect this. A very 
simple mode accomplishes this in the house described 
p. 337, vol. ii., in the number for September 27, 1849; 
and many other modes will at once suggest themselves. 
ROSE CUTTINGS. 
Spring and autumn are best for making these, but the 
present time is very good. Attend to the excellent 
article by Mr. Beaton, and do as he directs. That 
article cost me some hours extra writing, as I had one 
with very similar ideas nearly ready. I am glad that 
the hand-lights have got another condemnation as to 
their comparative uselessness, and the very frequent 
chinks and crashes they receive from all that come.in 
contact with them are very apt to give severe strokes to 
the equanimity of temper of all who have to superintend 
them. When any lower squares are broken, 1 am glad 
to get them filled with anything else but glass, as I 
have never been able to keep the points and heels of 
hob-nailed shoes from trying which was strongest. The 
using of loose squares of glass for propagating purposes, 
I believe, we owe to the veteran Mr. Mearns, who, like 
many more of us, was too enthusiastic in his profession 
to look enough after his pecuniary interests; but, so far 
as I know, the using at this season, out-of-doors, the 
next to bottomless pot, with a square of glass over it, 
is a Beatonian idea ; and a most capital one it is, giving, 
in a warm day, all the advantages of a thorough hotbed, 
without any risk of scorching by the rays of the sun, 
or steaming and destroying by ammoniacal vapours 
from-decomposing fermenting matter. R. Fish. 
Winter Garden at Sunderland. —It is proposed, 
at Sunderland, to have a winter garden under glass, and 
connected with a Museum, Bazaar, Exhibition and 
Concert Hall, all under one roof. If the subscriptions 
to effect the purpose are actuated by the same illiberality 
as that which dictates the offer of i?20 for the best plan, 
it must have its foundation-stone laid on the next 30th 
of February. 
HILLINGDON HALL. 
The Seat of Charles Mills, Esq. 
Within ten or fifteen miles of Uxbridge there are 
a considerable number of places where gardening is 
carried on with great spirit and success. Mr. Beaton, 
in his reports of the successful exhibitors, has very often 
to mention my neighbours, and none more frequently 
than Mr. Constantine, the gardener at the place I am 
about to give an account of on this occasion. 
