4 it THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN'S COMPANION, March 31, 1857. 
The reason for arranging the wood in layers in this form 
is, that that which is of the greatest diameter, and which 
occupies near the central layer, is no more than ready for 
being drawn when the outward one is perfectly burnt into 
charcoal, and, consequently, the pile is ready for being taken 
down and the charcoal housed. 
The piling of the wood being completed, cover it equally 
all over with the turf which is close at hand ready to be 
used; place the grass side downwards, and on the top of it 
a layer of sifted soil from one and a half to two inches in 
depth. 
Having done this take out of the centre of the pile the 
smooth, perpendicular piece of wood, and deposit some light 
I combustibles, in which a quantity of congreve matches have 
j been mixed, on the top of the dry wood in the centre, by 
letting it drop down the hole out of which the wood was 
taken. Set fire to it by casting a few live embers upon it, 
and when it has caught fire feed it with a small quantity of 
wood, and then close up the hole with a little turf, so as not 
to allow the fire to escape. Afterwards take a rod sufficiently 
! long to reach to the centre of the pile, and with it perforate 
the sides, letting it run to near the centre. By these punc¬ 
tures a ventilation will be created that may be regulated so 
as to keep the fire equally burning throughout the whole of 
the pile. As the fire continues to burn it will require to be 
! fed occasionally with suitable material. This must be done 
by uncovering the open space in the centre which was left 
for the purpose, and carefully letting down the things with 
which to feed it, and then covering up the orifice as before. 
The fire in its progress will consume certain parts of the 
turf and soil which serve as an external covering to the pile, 
and also to keep the fire smouldering, instead of issuing in 
llames, which is a point in the process worthy of being 
noticed by those persons wdio wish to have good charcoal 
with little “ loss of material.” Therefore, on the first indi¬ 
cation of the fire coming through to the surface, in whatever 
part of the pile it may be, immediately cover the place with 
turf and sifted soil, which must be always at command. 
The length of time it takes to burn wood into charcoal 
varies according to the softness or hardness of it. Oak takes 
the longest, and is generally thought to make the best, and 
on that account it is to be preferred to any other kind. 
Now, if the pile during its burning be properly attended 
to the “ loss of material ” will be trifling. The ashes or 
refuse are, I consider, amongst the best articles that enter 
the kitchen garden for top dressing the beds of Turnips, 
Carrots, Parsnips, Dwarf Beans, &c.; and for first early Po¬ 
tatoes, either mixed with any other kind of manure or alone, 
are equal if not superior to anything 1 have used.—B. B., 
near Halifax. 
Cowslip Vinegar. —Boil five pounds of brown sugar in 
fourteen quarts of water for ten minutes; then strain it 
i through a cloth, and when milk warm put in four quarts of 
unpicked cowslips, or six of picked, and two pennyworth of 
yeast to work it well. Stir it frequently for two or three 
days; then tie a cloth over it, or brown paper pricked, and 
let it stand in a warm place for two months, when it will be 
fit for use. It is quite equal to white wine vinegar. 
N.B. The unpicked cowslips, or those with the stalks on, 
make the best vinegar.—W. 
STOVE AND HOT-WATER APPARATUS. 
I now beg to send you full particulars with plans of my stove 
and hot-water tank for the benefit of amateurs in general. 
Should any one wish for a more minute inspection I shall 
be happy to see them, and will explain it with pleasure. I 
am desirous that it should be made generally known, as I 
feel certain it would give satisfaction, it being peculiarly 
: adapted to those who do not keep a regular gardener. I 
j have also invented a portable machine for builders, in which 
! this stove plays a prominent part, wherein and whereon 
; timber of different lengths may be dried, glue-pots kept 
ready, the journeyman’s dinner cooked, and the shop 
warmed, one of which is now in use by Mr. George Bra- 
vau, builder, &c., Bridstow, near Ross, Hereford, to whom 
reference may be made. 
I now proceed to give you the details in full. 
PLAN OF STOVE AND IIOT-WATER TANK FOR 
PIT OR GREENHOUSE. 
1. Showing external appearance of stove without damper, 
but with ash pit. 
2. External appearance of stove with damper attached. 
3. Appearance of stove without door, showing bottom 
plate of stove with bars. 
