THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, March 2, 1858. 
341 
pot, and a gas ring used, instead of tlie batswing burner. In 
this case, the upper end of the coil passes through the casing 
at f forming the flow-pipe, the return entering an opening at 
r. The degree of heat is simply regulated by turning the tap 
(T). A small tin vessel, as an expansion box, is fixed at 
the highest part of the circulation tubes. 
By th q first of these plans, the burner consumes about five 
feet per hour, or 120 feet per day of twenty-four hours. At 
5s. 5 d. a thousand feet, the expenditure will be at the rate of 
1 *d. per day, or a little more than a farthing an hour. The 
ring in connection with the hot -loafer boiler will, of course, 
burn a larger quantity of gas. With the aid of a common 
smith, a tolerably ingenious person may manufacture the first 
stove at a cost of 10*?., and the latter for a sum not exceed¬ 
ing £1. 
For the last three years we have used India-rubber tubing 
alone, for jointing both hot water and gas pipes. After a 
severe test, it answers the purpose admirably. 
Joints. — Apiece of galvanised India-rubber tube, of a 
somewhat larger diameter than the pipes to be joined, is 
passed over the end of each. The vulcanised tubing is then 
encircled with stout string (§), at a distance of half an inch 
from the termination of either pipe, and tied up strongly and 
neatly. The junction presents an appearance, as represented 
in the accompanying figure. Though so simple, this is a most 
effectual joint. Taps can be inserted in a similar manner. 
Now let us see how this apparatus tallies with the re¬ 
quisitions of our universal horticultural reference book, The 
Cottage Gardener’s Dictionary. 
“ After much experience with boilers of all description, we 
can confidently say, the most simple is the best. The smaller 
i the boiler and the fire-place, compatible with efficiency, the 
THE FLUKE POTATO. 
There seem but two opinions respecting the quality of the 
Fluke Potato, and they are rather antagonistic ! viz., “ first- 
rate” and “good-for-nothing.” 
Many speak of it in such high terms as to pronounce it 
unequalled ; whilst others condemn it as decidedly the worst 
Potato they every grew. Now, when doctors differ, who 
shall decide ? By which party shall we be advised ? This 
I will leave for your readers to judge for themselves; but I 
will offer a few remarks respecting this Potato, in conse¬ 
quence of the divided opinion that still exists respecting its 
merits. 
I have, on several occasions, heard people exclaim, “ Some¬ 
body must tell lies ; for one party recommends it, while 
another condemns it.” On several occasions, also, I have 
witnessed different growers digging up their crops of Flukes , 
the history of which I gave a few weeks since in these columns, 
and have frequently asked them their opinion; which may 
be summed up as follows:—“Well, master,” I would say, 
jokingly, “are they good?” The reply would be, “Ah, good 
for the pigs. I will never plant another Fluke as long as I 
five.” Another, perhaps, would be more favourable, and say, 
with a smile, “ They are the best croppers and boilers I ever 
saw in my life.” On the other hand, others would raise the 
following objections:—“Too rank in the haulm” — “too 
much deformed.” While the first season the complaint was, 
“Not one-half came up that were planted.” 
When the Fluke was first advertised, it was recommended 
in the following flattering terms:—“ This fine variety is less 
liable to the disease than any other ; is of excellent quality, 
large, and very productive.” Now, has it sustained the high 
character thus given of it ? It is certainly very productive, 
large, and pronounced by some unequalled in flavour. But 
has it escaped the disease more than any other variety ? I 
must say, as an eye-witness, no. In some districts, it has 
been diseased more than other varieties ; while, in other dis¬ 
tricts, it has been less subject to it than many. But, I 
believe, there are but few, if any, districts in which it has 
entirely escaped. Nevertheless, for this last point, I consider 
that it merits the character given to it j and it is still adver¬ 
tised in no less flattering terms. 
For the benefit of those who may again grow the Fluke , I 
beg to say it should be borne in mind, that last season was a 
greater is the economy. We can tell the gardener also, most 
decidedly, that the total size of the boiler has nothing to do 
with that efficiency ; the only point to be secured is, that a 
sufficient surface of the boiler be exposed to the fire.”* 
What can be simpler than an iron cylinder, a flower-pot, 
four bricks, a pipe coil, and a perforated ring ? Surely the 
fire-place and boiler are small enough; the difficulty would 
be to measure them at all. But the proportionate surface 
exposed to the fire is great. As for economy, when gas is re¬ 
duced to 4s., as we expect it will be soon (N.B.—It should 
have been down to this mark long ago), there will be nothing 
like it. But the best thing of all is, that it has been tried , 
and not found wanting. —E. A. Copland, Chelmsford. 
* Cottage Gardener's Dictionary , page 138. 
very unfavourable one for the cultivation of Potatoes, more 
especially on high-lying soils. The dryness of the early part 
of the summer caused the tops to lose their vitality, in conse¬ 
quence of which the tubers commenced to ripen their skins, 
and when the season changed to a continuance of wet, the 
newly-formed tubers were excited into growth, and formed a 
second lot; which accounts for so many deformed Flukes. 
In conclusion, I will state my opinion respecting the cul¬ 
ture and merits of the Fluke Potato. The Fluke , being 
rather a coarse grower, should be planted on rather poor soil. 
When planted on rich manured land, the tubers become 
deformed, the haulm exceedingly coarse; and, in consequence, 
warmth is not admitted to the tubers, nor light and air 
through the haulm. The tubers do not get thoroughly 
ripened; the strength of the haulm keeps up the sap until 
so late in the season, that the skin on the tubers merely gets 
set, and not properly matured. Such Potatoes cannot be 
expected to boil like a ball of flour, or to eat in flavour equal 
to a well-ripened variety. Take, for example, the Farly Ox¬ 
ford , that ripens early in the autumn ; or even the celebrated 
York Regent , Potatoes that ripen so very late in the autumn, 
or, as I before stated, merely get their skins set, but not pro¬ 
perly matured. 
The Muke, planted on poor soil, new broken land, or sandy, 
does well, brings perfect tubers of moderate size ; the haulm, 
being of moderate strength, dies down in sufficient time to 
ripen the tubers as they should be, while the quality is of the 
first class. The fault thus lies not in the Potato, but in the 
soil, or the method of cultivation. The grower of these pets, 
no doubt, in many instances, selected his very best piece of 
land; and, perhaps, over-manured it, in order to excel, by 
which means he overshot the mark ; for while poor ground 
will grow Flukes of the first quality, over-manured land 
would only grow them of inferior quality. 
There is as much difference in the constitution, and the 
culture, required in some varieties from others, as the treat¬ 
ment required between a donkey and a race-horse. The 
former would fatten on the same pasture as the latter would 
starve on. It should be our main study to get those varieties, 
and those only^ that are adapted to our soil; for nothing 
(except a bad oyster) is, in my opinion, worse than a bad 
Potato. All you that have suitable soil, grow the Fluke; 
for, take it all for ally it is one of the best. —E. Bennett, 
Perdiswell. 
