POLMAISE SYSTEM OF HEATING. 
85 
THE POLMAISE SYSTEM OF HEATING. 
In the present state of horticulture the minds of all engaged 
in it appear to be on the search for novelty, without regard to 
other considerations, no matter whether it be theories of culture, 
the plants to be cultivated, or the erections in which they are to 
be placed, the excitement has grown to an extent hitherto un¬ 
known, and seems to be absolute and increasing in its demand 
for some new object on which to feed ; doubtless among the 
multitudinous productions which spring up on all sides to meet 
this demand there must be some of more than passing value, nor 
am I disposed to quarrel with the cause of this state of things, 
believing it to arise in an increasing taste for the science, which 
all connected therewith should encourage by every available 
means within their respective spheres; still it seems necessary 
that much more discrimination should be exercised on the subject 
than appears to be usual, for how often it happens that the 
veriest clap-trap is announced with all the pomposity of some 
highly important discovery, and this announcement is all that is 
ever heard of it, from which it may be naturally inferred, either 
that the matter was perfectly valueless, or that notoriety was the 
only aim of the originator; but to descend to plain matter of 
fact subjects, it is a mystery to me what could ever have induced 
the promulgation of so much verbiage, and the exceeding waste 
of words which has of late been expended on the dried and 
drying system of heating employed in the Polmaise vinery. It 
is strange that after so many years of enduring attention to 
perfect a mode of imparting heat to horticultural erections, which 
we were all along led to believe would be at least free from the 
objections so loudly raised against the circulation of hot air, that 
it should now be found necessary to recur to that very system. It 
is strange that the same individuals who then and since have 
opposed the principle of the method should now be engaged in 
its laudation; but it is still more strange that persons can be 
found who, in a breath, will oppose with vehemence the principle 
as entirely erroneous in all its parts, and again recommend the 
same thing in a modified shape as the ne plus ultra of heating. 
I may indeed incur the imputation of an asinine conformation 
