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TREATISE
OH SEVERAL
IMPROVEMENTS,
RECENTLY MADE IN
HOTHOUSES*
ADVERTISEMENT.
Models as defcribed in the Appendix to
this work, are fold at Mr Dalziel’s, Chapel-
Street * Bedford-Row , London ; or at Melk
Dicksons and Shade’s, Edinburgh ; in whofe
nurfery may be feen a hot-houfe altered
agfeGably to this Treatife.
A SHORT
TREATISE
ON SEVERAL
IMPROVEMENTS,
recently made in
HOT-HOUSES:
BY WHICH FROM FOUR-FIFTHS TO NINE-TENTHS OF THE FUEL COMMONLY
USED WILL BE SAVED ; TIME, LABOUR, AND FISK, GREATLY LESSENED ;
AND SEVERAL OTHER ADVANTAGES PRODUCED.
AND WHICH ARE
Applicable to Hot-houfes already erected, or to the Construction of
New Hot-houfes.
Illustrated, by Nine Large Copperplates.
By J. LOUDON,
MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY OF ARTS, COMMERCE, &C. STRAND, LONDON :
AUTHOR OF OBSERVATIONS ON PLANTING, LANDSCAPE GARDENING,
AND EMBANKING, &C.
DESIGNER OF RURAL IMPROVEMENTS.
— « 9CSOC® —
EDINBURGH :
PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR:
And SOLD BY ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE AND CO. EDINBURGH J
LONGMAN, HURST, REES, AND ORME, LONDON.
00
lb05.
Jobn Turnbull, Printer, Edinburgh.
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PREFACE.
Nearly four months have elapfed fince
the improvements to be treated of in the
firft part of this work, were executed
upon Dickfons’ and Shade’s hothoufe.
During this period they have been ex-
amined by a great number of refpecd-
able gentlemen, who, with fcarcely a fingle
exception, exprefled their warmeft appro-
bation of the fcheme, and flrong convic-
tions of its general utility. Among thefe
gentlemen, were fome who have paid
particular attention to the fubject, and
they are decidedly of opinion, that the
improvements here fubmitted, are calculated
to be more extenlively ufeful than any thing
that has yet appeared.
Encouraged
( vi )
/
Encouraged thus, to make them as ge-
nerally underflood as poffible, the author
has caufed to be made models in woody of
certain parts which might perhaps uz-
zle fome country artizans, who are not
accuftomed to work from plans. Thefe
may be examined or purchafed at the places
mentioned in the advertifement.
If required, models can alfo be made of
the new plan for growing pines — of the improv-
ed peach-houfey and of the new pity which are
defcribed and recommended in this work.
The attention requifite to fhew and vend
thefe models, has rendered it neceffary for
the author to deviate from the common
mode of bookfelling.
CON-
CONTENTS.
PART I.
AN ACCOUNT AND , TREATISE OF SEVERAL
ALTERATIONS MADE UPON A HOTHOUSE
BELONGING TO MESS. DICKSONS AND
SHADE, EDINBURGH.
f la s e -
Introduction, .... 9
Gen ERA1. DESCRIPTION OF THE HOTHOUSE BE-
LONGING TO MESS. DICKSONS AND SHADE, PRE-
VIOUSLY TO ITS BEING ALTERED. - - 12
General description of the several altera-
tion^ - - - 1 7
Of the furnace and fuel-chamber.
Of the furnace and fuel-chamber formerly
ufed, - - - - ' " 2i
Defcription of the improved furnace and fuel-
chamber, - - - - - 23
Of
Vlll
CONTENTS.
Page.
Of the smoke-flue, -
Of the flue before it was altered, - - 31
Of the improved flue, - 3 2
Of the air-flue,
Of the intention of the alterations upon
THE FURNACE AND FLUES, - " “ 39
Of the mode of using the improved fur-
nace AND FLUES, ----- 54
Of managing the valves in the furnace and
afh-pit doors, - - - - - 55
Of the inner roofing,
Of its conftrucffion, and the mode of fitting it
to the hothoufe, 65
Of the intention of the inner roofing, - 73
Of the mode of ufing the inner roofing, 80
Of the air-pump, or air-bellows,
Of the different purpofes for which air is ad-
mitted into hothoufes, - - - 83
Of the conftrudtion of the air-pump and bel-
low's, ------ 90
Of the intention and mode of ufing the air-
pump or bellows, _ - - - 94
Of tfie ventilator,
Of ventilation, ----- 99
Of the conftru&ion of the ventilator, - io 7
Of the intention and mode of ufing the venti-
lator, - - - - - - 1 1 1
Of
CONTENTS,
ix
Page.
Of the advantages resulting from these
IMPROVEMENTS, - - - - - Il£
Of the advantage, in the cafe of Dicksons
and Shade’s Hothoufe, - - ny
On the advantages which will refult in general
cafes, - - - - - - 123
Of the expence of making these alterations,
WITH REFERENCES TO WORKMEN WHO CAN BE
SENT TO EXECUTE THEM UPON HOTHOUSES TO
ANY PART OF THE COUNTRY. - - - 1 2 7
PART II.
ON OTHER IMPROVEMENTS WHCB MAY BE
MADE IN HOTHOUSES.
Of the introduction of improvements in
HOTHOUSES, -
Of additional improvements in the modes
of HEATING HOTHOUSES, -
Of HEATING HOTHOUSES BY STEAM, AND OF
STEAMING IN- GENERAL, -
*35
*57
Of
x CONTENTS,
Page.
Of a new plan for growing pine apples s 165
Of an improved pit for growing young pines,
RAISING CUCUMBERS, MELONS, iS ’ c . - 17S
Of AN IMPROVED PEACH-HOUSE, - - l86
Op ARCHITECTURAL DECORATIONS IN HOTHOUSES,
Conclusion, ------ 202
Explanaton of the plates, » 205
Postscript, ------ 244
ERRATA.
Page 149,
*59>
J 95>
200,
line 3, dele to the
line 5, for from read to
4, before fame read an account of
19, after training read upon
1 7, for panes read frames.
Some other errors which do not alter the fenfe, and in
particular an erroneous enumeration of the chapters, the
reader is intreated to pafs without cenfute.
V
: u ■ .
I
*
t -
>
A N
ACCOUNT
0 s
SEVERAL ALTERATIONS, kfr.
INTRODUCTION.
It was the original intention of the author
not to have printed any thing refpe&ing
thefe improvements until he publifhed his
treatife on Hothoufes , Hot walls , &c. This
treatife was intended to be pretty full — to
be printed in quarto, and to contain many
new defigns — with an Appendix, containing
numerous criticifms upon hothoufes ere&ed
in different parts of this ifland. He is however
induced to keep back this work at prefent,
B partly
( 1 ° )
partly from want of time to fuperintend the
prefs, partly from a defire to try the fuc-
cefs of feveral other new and equally impor-
tant fchemes before he fubmitted them to
the public, and partly alfo, that he might
enlarge the number of criticifms, by viewing
and examining fome hothoufes which he
has not yet had an opportunity of feeing,
but which he expeds to fee in the enfuing
feafon, in the courfe of an intended tour
through the ifland.
On the other hand, the author has been
induced to write this account, from the ad-
vice of feveral intelligent gentlemen who
conceive highly of its utility, and at the de-
lire, and for the benefit of a very confider-
able number who have already begun to
alter their hothoufes according to this plan ;
and in fome degree alfo from a reafon, the
detail of which would reded no great ho-
nour upon a certain clafs of men. The
thing alluded to, however, is juft what the
author
( 11 ;
author expeded, from the fudden introduc-
tion of a plan which hrikes at the root of
fome of the mod; important points of ge-
neral, and even much approved pradice, in
the conftrudion of hothoufes. But in con-
fequence of the fuperior nature and advan-
tage of his fcheme, he has nothing to fear,
and rehs perfedly fatisfied, that in this libe-
ral and improving age, thefe alterations will
meet with general approbation, and be adopt-
ed according to the degree of their real utility
— and this too, not the lefs readily, becaufe,
at firft, they may be decried, or oppofed,
as all the mod: ufeful difcoveries in other
branches of fcience or of art have been,
by fome interefted, ignorant, and little
minded men.
B 2
general
( 12 )
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE HOTHOUSE, BE-
LONGING TO MESS. DICKSONS AND SHADE,
UPON WHICH THE IMPROVEMENTS WERE
MADE.
The hothoufe upon which thefe alterations
were made, was built about three years ago,
from apian given by the author, according to
the mod: approved and economical mode of
building hothoufes at that time. It anfwer-
ed the intention very well ; and indeed, from
fome particular circumftances to be men-
tioned, fully better than mod: hothoufes ; for
being of a fmall dze, and the ends being built
of folid wall, which is always warmer than
glafs, it was heated by the dues with more
than common eafe, and this heat, from the
fame circumftances, was retained for a more
than ordinary length of time.
But
( 13 )
But in order to give the reader more clear
ideas, it may be neceflary to obferve in the
wayofdefcription, that this houfe is twenty-
three feet long, fourteen feet broad, ten feet
high in the back wall, four and a half feet
high in front, (infide meafure ;) that the two
ends, back and front, are built of mafon
work, and three feet of the hope at the top
of the houfe is covered with deal — the reft
of the flope with eleven fafhes, glazed with
what is called fragment glafs, being old ones
formerly ufed for another purpofe, and fit*
ted up here for the fake of economy.
The furnace, or fire place, was placed at
the north-eaft corner, in a mafs of brick-
work, four feet broad, four feet deep, and
which proje&ed three feet from the wail in
the ufual manner.
The flue in the infide of the houfe was
led firft along the front, and then round
at the bottom of the back wall, and entered
a fhaft, or chimney, immediately above the
furnace.
The
( *4 )
The houfe was ufed for forcing flowers,
&c. ; and hence the flue furrounded a bark
or tan pit, which reached within four feet
of the glafs behind, and eighteen inches of
it before.
From this defcription the reader will be
aware, that this hothoufe is very fmall, and
confequently unfavourable for {hewing the
effedt of the improvements which have
been made, on the three following ac-
counts :
1. It was fo eafily heated by the com-
mon mode.
2. Having no glafs in front, nor in the
ends, but only in part of the roof, the heat
raifed was longer retained, than happens in
the cafe of any fmall hothoufe, having glafs
on the ends and front, as well as the roof.
3. A fmall hothoufe, in all cafes, con-
fumes
( i5 )
fumes a greater proportion of fuel than a
large one, as in dwelling-houfes is well
known to be the cafe with final], in com-
parifon with large rooms.
Under thefe difadvantages, it may appear
furprifing to fome, that the author fixed
upon this houfe as a fubjefl of improve-
ment. It is true, indeed, he could have made
the alterations upon many gentlemen’s
hotlioufes, with a much greater effefl ; but
he judged it better for the public to execute
them in fome nurfery, (a nurfery being a
kind of public place,) where they might be
feen and examined by gentlemen with great -
er freedom. And though this hothoufe
belonging to MefT. Dickfons and Shade,
is far from being the belt in the nurferies
about Edinburgh, he preferred it, becaufe
(from fome knowledge of moil of the nurfe-
ries and nurferymen in Scotland, and that
of a more clofe and intimate kind than
generally
C 16 )
nerally can be the cafe with landed gentle-
men,) he is induced to give this company
the preference on moft occafions ; and he
can, without the leaf! helitation, recommend
them to the gentlemen of this country.
GENERAL
( 17 )
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
ALTERATIONS.
In the following pages they fhall be defcri-
bed and treated of, in an order, correfpon-
ding in fome degree, with their importance:
viz.
1. The furnace and fuel-chamber in which
the coal or other fuel is confumed.
2. The Jmoke-flue t which condu&s the
G fmoke
( >8 )
l'moke round the houfe, to the {haft or
chimney by which it efcapes.
3. The air -flue, which collects heated air
around and near the furnace, and conveys
it to the oppofite end of the houfe.
4. The inner -roofing, being a coarfe flan-
nel curtain let down under the glafs, dur-
ing night, to prevent the air of the houfe
from coming in contact with the glafs.
5. The air-pump or bellows, intended for
pineries and doves, to force or draw in frefh
air of moderate temperature, during the
winter months. This air can generally be
obtained from the back f beds .
6. The ventilator , intended either to put the
air of the houfe in motiond uring the day; or
at
( 1 9 )
at pjeafure ; and thus to imitate the natural
breeze.
After thus defcribing and treating of thefe
alterations, and the intentions, and ufe of
each of them feparately, fome obfervations
will be added under the following heads :
viz.
1 . On the advantages refulting from thefe
alterations.
2. On the expence of making them, with
fome hints to gentlemen intending to alter
hothoufes according to this plan ; and re-
ferences to workmen in Edinburgh who
underhand the practical parts of thefe im-
provements.
3. On other improvements which may be
executed on hothoufes.
( 20 )
Among other things in this chapter, will
be fuggefted new plans for pine-hoves,
peach-houles, and pits, which the author
conceives, will, be conliderable improve-
ments.
CHAP.
( 21 )
CHAP I.
I
OF THE
FURNACE
AND
F U E L-C H A M B E R.
SECTION I.
Of the Furnace and Fuel-chamber formerly
ufed.
Before the alterations were made, the
furnace, as already mentioned, and as is ge-
nerally done, was placed in a large mafs of
brick work attached to the houfe. Its
chamber or fpace for containing the fuel,
w T as
( 22 )
was two feet long, eighteen inches wide, and
eighteen inches high.
The furnace-door, a Angle plate of call
iron, ten inches fquare.
The floor, or bottom of the fuel-chamber,
had five iron bars which formed a grate,
fourteen inches long, and ten inches wide;
having a dead or folid fpace of four inches
on the two fides, and ten inches behind* or
in the farther end of the chamber. Thefe
dead fpaces were intended for the purpofe
of making the fire burn flowly, and lafi:
long, agreeably to the principle recom-
mended and pra&ifed by Mr Nicol *.
The afh-pit was eighteen inches long,
and ten inches wide, and without any
door.
Sect.
* See The Forcing Gardener, 3d Edit. pub. 1802.
I
( 2 3 )
SECTION II.
Defcription of the improved Furnace, and
Fuel-chamber*
A furnace was made fo far fimilar to
Count Rumford’s that it had double doors,
but different in all other refpe&s : for,
1. The outer and inner doors were al-
moft exa&ly of the fame fize, and con-
fequently, the fides were nearly at right
angles with the front, which is a very great
advantage in fixing it in mafon work.
2. It contained one opening in each of
its fides, for the purpofe of communicating
with the air flue to be afterwards defcribed,
3- rt
(
( 2 + )
3. It has a valve in the centre of the outer
door: and,
4. It has four nobs or projections at the
corners, which are for the purpofe of fixing
it in the building. Thefe and the other
parts will be belt underftood from plate I.
fig. 1.
The fize of the furnace door ufed is J, even
and a half inches , which is fufficiently large
for this houfe, thougn too fmall for general
and convenient ufe.
A door ten inches fquare, with a valve
in it, was alfo got for the afh-pit. See plate
I. fig. 2.
The mafs of brick work, containing the old
furnace and afh-pit, being taken down, the
bricks and the five metal bars were referved
to be ufed in building up the new furnace.
It
( 25 )
It is worthy of remark here, that of all the
old materials, the furnace door alone was
not re-ufed ; and this, not becaufe it would
not anfwer, but merely to try the effeds of
one with a valve. But a furnace door with
a valve in it, is by no means effentially ne-
ceffary, and in general gentlemen who
make alterations according to this plan,
may very fafely ufe the old furnace door as
a door to the new afh-pit, in place of
fending for a new one with a valve.
A large hole being made in the lower part
of the wall of the houfe, the new afh-pit
and furnace were built under it, projed-
ing fo far into the houfe, as that the outer
furnace door, and the door of the afh-pit,
were even, or “ flufli” as workmen term it,
with the outer face of the wall.
The afh-pit was made fourteen inches
long, and ten inches wide : and,
The old bars were laid above it, form-
D ing
C 26 )
ing the grate, and chamber for the fuel.
The furnace was then properly placed, and
the grate built round, (except at the neck of
the flue, which was of courfe kept open,)
with bricks laid flat, that is brick on bed,”
as fhewn plate I. fig. 3.
This building was carried up twelve
inches, and then arched over in the ufual
manner. Over this arch was made another
of the fame thicknefs, preferving a vacuity
betwixt them of three inches, which va-
cuity joins with each fide of the furnace
door, in order to communicate with the
holes or openings formerly mentioned, and
as (hewn in plate I, by figures 3, 4, and 5,
which are tranfverfe and vertical fe&ions.
In examining thefe two feftions, fome
things will be feen which deferve atten-
tion.
In
( 2 ? )
In figure 3, the contraction of the air
vacuity at g and b 1 is made for the purpofe
of confining and ftagnating the air, in order
that it may be thoroughly heated before
it pafles along the air flue into the houfe.
The Valve in the furnace door, and alfo the
holes in each fide, which communicate im-
mediately with the vacuity, are alfo made
fmall, in order that alargebody of coolairmay
never be admitted at once. For it is a facft,
that were the vacuity, valves, and air flue,
every where of equal width, the air would
pafs rapidly through into the houfe fcarcely
heated at all ; unlefs, perhaps, when the fire
was very ftrong and the furnace door red.
hot.
It may be obferved here, that the arch
over the air vacuity, can be fupported upon
the under one, by making the ends of two
or three of the bricks project down and reft
upon
( 2S )
upon the top of it, as fhewn in figure 4; or
two or three pieces of brick or flone laid
carefully upon the under arch, will ferve
the fame purpofe.
But there is no abfolute necefftty for fuch
fupports ; the intention is merely to guard
againfl the linking of the upper arch.
It is needlefs to add what every mafon or
bricklayer knows, that thefe arches can eafily
be “ thrown” or built, by filling the fuel-
chamber with earth, or by laying in bricks
or any fuch loofe materials, which can be
taken out as foon as the mortar hardens fo as
to leave the arch entire.
The arch above the vacuity can eafily be
made in the fame manner.
In figure 5, the large chambers i and z,
and the contraction at the beginning of
the
( 2 9 )
the air flue k y are for the purpofe above
mentioned. There is no neceffity for thefe
chambers being in every cafe fo large as
fhewn in the plate; although a proportion
fomewhat fimilar, will generally be found
preferable.
In figure 5 alfo, a fmall recefs will be ob-
ferved betwixt the grate and the flue, for the
purpofe of preferving a portion of the fuel
which fhall bum flowly ; and thus it is pre-
fumed live-coals may be had from that re-
cefs for twenty-four hours after the fire is
kindled. Some may think that a plain dead
fpace larger than this recefs would ferve
equally well ; but this on examination will
appear an ill founded idea ; for if we obferve
the dotted line, m n in the plate, it will
appear that it could not preferve the coals
alive for a fufficient length of time, unlefs
the throat of the flue were made much more
upright ; which on the other hand would
preferve
( 3° )
preferve too much fuel, and very much pre-
vent the heat either from palling through
it into the air vacuity, or onwards into
the fmoke flue.
This improvement I did not think of
when the furnace at Dickfons and Shade’s
hothoufe was built ; but I now fee from the
fires then being fometimes totally extinguifh-
ed in the mornings, that it will be a benefi*
cial addition to the plan.
CHAP.
( 31 )
CHAP. II.
OF THE SMOKE FLUE.
SECTION I.
Of the Flue before it was altered .
As already mentioned in the general de-
fcription, the dire&ion of this flue was round
the houfe. It was built, very properly,
upon fupports *, and totally detached from
the
* Mr Nicol always builds his flues upon fupports, for
which he deferves credit : the pra&ice is totally un-
known in feveral parts of England, and not fufficiently
attended to by fome in this country.
( 32 )
the front wall, or any other building, which
is alfo an important point to attend to.
But though there was ample room to
make the flue of confiderable depth, this
was negle&ed, which is a very great, but
univerfal error. Still, however, the depth
of three bricks placed on edge was allowed,
that is about fifteen inches, which depth is
not always given, for we find even fome
planners and others, who though they ge-
nerally build their flues of this depth, yet
contend that the breadth of two bricks is
perfectly fufEcient.
SECTION II.
Of the improved Flue.
This old flue was taken down, and built
up five bricks in breadth , — as great a depth as
in this cafe, could be accomplifhed.
“ Briggs,”
I
( 33 )
“ Briggs,” or perpendicular partitions,
reaching from the covers till within a brick
and a haif of the bottom, were formed by
placing bricks acrofs, and joining the two
(ides of the flues.
The firft of thefe, was placed twenty feet
from the furnace, and the reft about ten
or twelve feet diftaht from one another, as
ftiewn in figure i . plate II.
Thefe “ briggs” divide the flue into
chambers, or compartments, each of which
will naturally be completely filled with
fmoke and heat, before any can occupy the
next; and, hence the whole flue muft be
completely filled, before any can efcape at
the chimney top.
The flue is made of five bricks breadth in
depth, at both ends, and along the front of the
houfe, and in this fpace it had three briggs,
or partitions, viz. two in the front, and one
E in
i 34 )
in that end farthefl from the fire. For to have
made one in the end where the fire enters*
would have had a tendency to make that part
of the houfe too warm.
The back flue was made of the ordinary
depth, with only one projedtion, placed at
its termination, immediately before the
fmoke afcended into the fhaft or chimney.
Had the houfe been large, the whole length
of the flue fhould have been made as deep as
poffible; and a confiderable depth may gene-
rally be obtained, particularly in pine or plant
floves, or even in vineries and peach houfes,
when thefe are trained under thelloping glafs.
But in alrnoft every cafe that may occur,
when vines are trained upon the back wall,
it will be improper to make the flues deeper
than three bricks ; yet even here, the
« briggs” fhould be made to reach the
fame
C 35 )
V
fame depth as before, that is, within a brick
and a half of the bottom of the flue.
Or, the flues in fuch houfes may be made
of double width, or as wide as can be con-
veniently accomplifhed, and the “ briggs”
may be carried up from the bottom, leaving
a fmall hole in the foundation of each brigg,
of twelve inches long, by four inches wide,
or larger, according to the fize of the furnace.
Through this hole the fmoke will pafs from
chamber to chamber.
The air flue, built upon the top of fuch
flues as this, need only be its full breadth
from the furnace to the firft compartment ;
afterwards it may be carried on in a narrow
flue, or in an earthen or pi ate- iron pipe,
to the end of the houfe. But of the air
flue in next fedion.
In the middle of the {haft is placed a
damper, the intention and mode of uflng
which fhall be prefently explained.
E 2
CHAP,
1
\ ' ‘ x
( 36 )
CHAP, III,
OF THE AIR-FLUE.
The vacuity around the fire-place is conti-
nued on each fide, and over the top, as well
as under the bottom of the fmoke flue, for
about four feet in length, as fhewn in plate
I. by figures 4 and 6.
The two fide and bottom vacuities, are
continued no farther, but there unite with
the fpace at top, which top fpace is conti-
nued on, as an air flue to the oppofite end
of the houfe. And there it terminates,
allowing the heated air to efcape, as fhewn
plate II. fig. 1.
The
( 37 )
The top of the fmoke flue ferves for
the bottom of the air flue, which is one
4 - 4 brick on edge” in depth, and covered
with tyle or pavement fimilar to the fmoke
flue.
A ftone or brick neatly fitted to the end
of the air flue, ferves to clofe it up when
requifite.
Both the air and fmoke flue, were plafler^
ed in the outfide for the fake of appearance,
as the bricks were very coarfe and unfight-
ly : but in the infide of the flue, this was,
and ought always to be avoided if poflible,
as plafler is a non- conductor of heat.
But had the bricks been equally neat and
beautiful with thofe made in the neighbour-
hood of London, no plafler work would have
been neceffary : the joints would have been
neatly puttied of the fame colour as the
brick, and at molt a coat of paint of a
brown or cream colour, would have been
given .
( 38 )
given. For it is prefumed they have no
good tafle who prefer to this flyle, walls
and flues covered with white plafter, the
raw glare of which when oppofed and inter-
fperfed among the delicate green of vegi-
tation, has a harfli and unharmonious effect.
Having thus endeavoured to defcribe the
alterations made upon the furnace and flue,
which it is hoped by the afliflance of the
plates, will be underftood by the reader,
and by intelligent workmen, fome obferva-
tions fhall next be added refpe&ing the in-
tention of thefe alterations.
CHAR
( 39 )
CHAP. TV.
OF THE INTENTION OF THE ALTERATIONS
UPON THE FURNACE AND FLUES.
In the JirJi place, the particular intention
of this furnace is to confume or ignite the
fuel as quickly as poffible. For this pur-
pofe no dead fpace is left on each fide,
as in Mr Nicol’s improved furnaces; but on
the contrary, the grate occupies the whole
breadth of the chamber, in order that no
part of the fuel may remain unkindled. At
the
C 40 )
the fame time a recefs under the throat of
the flue is made to preferve fome live-fuel
in order to rekindle the fire.
Secondly , The depth of the flue is intended
to produce a greater mafs of brick work,
to be heated at the leafl: expence, which
heated mafs will continue longer to give out
heat to the hoiife, and thus by making one
fire ferve in place of a number, will confe-
quently fave much time, and produce a
more fteady heat ; an advantage independent
of the faving of fuel.
In fome cafes breadth may be ufed in
place of depth, and then the briggs may be
literally divifions, or partitions, each with a
hole at bottom, fix or eight inches fquare :
or of the dirtienfions given laft chapter.
Thirdly, The briggs are intended to heat
this mafs more uniformly and effectually, by
ftagnating the fmoke. And as the hotteft of
that
( 4i >
that contained in each compartment, will al-
ways rife to the top, fo the coldeft, will in the
fame way be forced out under the partitions.
What was the coldeft fmoke of the firft com-
partment, will be the hotteft of the next ;
of courfe it will afcend and prefs out that
which is ftill colder, and thus will the fmoke
pafs through the feveral compartments un-
til it has given out the greater part of the
heat which it contains, and at laft, when
quite cold, it is forced up the fhaft, or
chimney.
Befides this very great advantage, thefe
briggs, or partitions, are alfo found to in-
creafe the draught of the fire.
Fourthly , The double furnace-door, and
the vacuity around the furnace, are intended
to colletft that heat, which in other furnaces
is totally loft in the adjoining mafs of mafon
work.
F
Fifthly,
( 42 )
Fifthly , This vacuity is alfo continued
around the flue for the diftance of fome
feet from the furnace, in order to collect a
quantity of heat, which would otherwife, as
is generally the cafe, make that end of
the houfe confiderably warmer than the
other, or oppoflte end.
Sixthly , The vacuity, or air flue, conti-
nued from thence along the top of the
fmoke flue only, is intended to convey the
heated air collected as above, to the other
end of the houfe: Which part of the houfe
being fartheft from the fire, is, in general,
too cold ; but by this means it is rendered
equally warm with the other.
Some may think that when two fires are
ufed, one being placed at each end of the
houfe, the temperature would be regu-
lar, and the heated air would be allow-
ed to efcape from the furnace immediately
into
( 43 )
into the houfe. But without hating any of
the many and great arguments againfl this,
it is fufficient to obferve, that according to
this new plan, in no cafe whatever, will two
fires be neceflary. It will always be found
more economical to augment the fize of the
furnace, in proportion to that of the houfe
to be heated.
F 2
CHAP.
( 44 )
CHAP. IV.
-
OF THE MODE OF USING THIS FURNACE AND
THE FLUES.
Suppose the fire lighted, and the fuel
thrown in, the furnace doors are to be fhut
clofe, and alfo the valve in the outer door
turned round, fo as not to admit any air.
But the afh-pit door, and the damper within
the houfe, mu ft be thrown open.
As
( 45 )
As foon as the grofler part of the fmoke
is diflipated, and the general mafs of fuel
becomes nearly red hot, or almoft covered
with flames, which, in an ordinary furnace,
will generally happen in twenty minutes,
or half an hour, after the fire is kindled, —
clofe the afh-pit door, open the valve in the
outer furnace-door, and fhut the damper.
Thefe operations produce the three fol-
lowing effects, viz.
1. The fire is preferved ftationary; that
is, the fuel is no longer confumed with the
fame degree of rapidity.
2. The whole heat generated, is ftagnated
in the flue.
3. The cool air entering by the valve, is
rarified, partly on the furnace door, but
principally in the vacuity around the fur-
nace,
( 46 )
nace, and thus is prefled forward into the
houfe.
The fire being preferved in a good de-
gree ftationary, the great heat which is con-
tained in the fuel now red hot, does not en-
ter the flue to make a violent irregular heat
in the houfe, but it heats the air in the va-
cuity which furrounds it.
This heated air being allowed to pafs
into the houfe, is a more fpeedy, effec-
tual, and uniform way of heating it; be-
caufe it mixes at once with the air al-
ready in the houfe, whereas by the com-
mon mode, every particle of the air con-
tained in the fame, muft come in contact
with the flue before the houfe is properly
heated. Now, to allow time fufficient for
this procefs, the fire muft be kept burning
for a very confiderable time, and no fooner
is the degree of heat requifite obtained, than
the flue, {till as hot as before, and now aid-
ed
( 47 )
ed by the fun upon the glafs, raifes the
temperature to a height greatly beyond that
which was required. This is particularly
the cafe, as every gardener knows, during
the mornings of the winter and fpring
months. The apprentice lad, or in fome
cafes the mailer himfelf, comes to the
hothoufe, perhaps at feven o’clock in a
clear frofly morning, in the end of January;
he finds the thermometer Handing ten or
fifteen degrees below the proper or required
temperature. To remedy this, he with all
fpeed puts on as large a fire as pollible —
perhaps it is well kindled by eight o’clock,
but no heat is yet added to the houfe ; on
the contrary, much heat has been efcaping
from it, and the thermometer is now fix or
eight degrees lower than before. About half
pafl nine o’clock, and not always fo foon, the
thermometer indicates the proper degree of
heat. Though the air be frofly, and the
morningflillcold, yet now the fun-beams dart
upon
( 48 )
upon the glafs with much vigour ; and about
twenty minutes, or half an hour paft ten,
the thermometer is ten or twenty degrees
higher than the proper medium, and con-
tinues to rife with rapidity. At eleven the
houfe is at an alarming degree of heat, and
no alternative remains for the lad, but to let
down the fafties, in order to admit frefti air;
for though he had juft before opened the
furnace doors, its effects are comparatively
much dower.
Now it is evident, that no fooner are the
falhes thrown down, however little a fpace,
than the gravity of the clear “frofty”airof the
atmofphere, nifties into the houfe, andforcing
out the light heated air, which at any rate
has a continual tendency to afcend, occu-
pies the houfe in a few feconds. Thus the
plants are brought in one moment from the
climate of the torrid zone, to that of the
polar regions.
In
( 49 )
In the mean time, the furnace door being
thrown open, the cool air entering and rufh-
ing through the flue, makes it as cold in an
hour as it was before the fire was put on.
And again, perhaps ten or fifteen minutes
after the fafhes were opened, the lad per-
ceives, (for he is under the neceflity of being
always upon the watch,) that the houfe is
too cold— inftantly he draws up the fafhes,
ftirs up the fire, and fhuts the furnace
<
door. What is the confequence ? The
joint effects of the fun, now more powerful
than before, and the fire, which not being
fully exhaufted, is eafily rekindled, produce
the fame extreme as formerly! The fame
remedy is applied, which again is attended
with the fame baneful confequences, to ve-
getation. This rotation of extremes goes on
almoft without interruption, in the pineries
and ftoves, every funfhine day, during three
quarters of the year, and in vineries peach-
G houfes,
( 5 ° )
houfes, &c. during the beginning of the
forcing feafon *.
The bad confequences which refult from
this practice, it may fafely be faid, are in-
calculable.
The above will no doubt be agreed to by
every one lo far ; but perhaps when it is
faid, the one extreme is as the torrid, the
other as the frigid zone, it will be denied,
for it will be faid, the thermometer in the
hothoufe, never is feen lo low, as even
in the open air. But this, like many
other common ideas, arifes from want of
due
* I had the moft complete opportunity of knowing
this, about eight years ago, when I was afliftant to the
late Mr Mawer, Planner and Nurseryman, Dalry,
near Edinburgh. I faw it happen every day in his own
hothoufes, which, as is well known, were at that time,
the moft extenfive, and beft conftru&ed in Scotland.
Several particulars refpetfting thefe hothoufes, and parti-
cularly about the extenfive fteam operations then carried
on, will appear in the treatife on Hothoufes.
( 5i )
due confideration of the fubjecl, and from
ignorance of the do&rine of heat.
For, it is evident that the extremes of
heat in the houfe, being fo much more ra-
pid than the motion of the mercury in the
thermometer; the higheft or lowefl degree
of thefe extremes, can never be indicated,
owing to the impulfe of the fucceeding ex-
treme, counteracting the true indication of
the former one. For it is well known, that
a thermometer in air takes feveral minutes
to indicate the true temperature of the me-
dium in which it is placed.
Hence, to be fhort, if the real tempera-
ture of the extremes in the houfe are as the
line A , the temperature indicated by the
thermometer will be fomewhat correfpond-
ing to the line B,
two
( 52 )
two lines very different when obierved fe-
parately.
It may be fafely faid, that in three mi-
nutes after the fafhes are let down, the
houfe is of the fame temperature as the at-
mofphere: At that temperature, it remains
until the thermometer about to indicate it,
is checked by heat, fuddenly generated by
the fun and the flue.
From this fhort ftatement of what really
happens, the fickly appearance, and debili-
tated habits of hothoufe plants, compared
with the frefh robufl luxuriance of thofe
reared in the open air, will not appear fur-
prifing ; and the frequent failure of crops of
fruit will be perfectly accounted for.
But the evils recounted can never happen
with furnaces and flues, built according to
the plan recommended; becaufe,
In the firjl place, The temperature of the
houfe
C 53 )
houfe when heated by fire alone, will be at
all times fo uniform as to render great exer-
tions to counteract any extreme totally un-
neceflary ; and,
In the Jecond place, Suppofmg the houfe
at the required temperature, and a brifk
fire in the furnace at the time, (a cafe by
the bye that could feldom or never happen ;)
if the valve in the outer furnace door is
clofed, and alfo the aperture at the extre-
mity of the air-flue, the heated air will be
completely flagnated, and the greater part
of the heat will be confined in the furnace
and the air- flue, to be let into the houfe
when wanted. It is true, indeed, that a
certain quantity of heat will efcape through
the mafon work, notwithftanding thcfe ope-
rations; but this will be fmall comparative-
ly with what happens in the cafe of com-
mon flues, for this particular reafon, that
air (in this cafe, the air of the air-flue) is
the
/
the very worft condu&or of heat known :
But fuppofing that any thing like an over-
heat fhould occur, it can be completely
over-balanced at once ; and without chil-
ling the plants in the leaft degree, by the
air-pump, as will be fhewn in the proper
( 55 )
. . ' J
CHAP. V.
OF MANAGING THE VALVES IN THE FUR-
NACE AND ASH-PIT DOORS.
Two or three diredions on this fubjed are
thrown into diftind heads for the fake of
gardeners, who, it is to be obferved, may be
apt to go confiderably wrong, until they
have a juft idea of the effeds of the valves ;
and
( S6 )
and particularly of the one in the outer
furnace door.
1 . If the houfe is filled with heat to the
proper degree, the fire extinguifhed, and
the flue and furnace quite cold, no evil can
arife from having the valves in the afh-pit
door, or even the door itfelf open : And the
fame may be faid refpefting the damper.
2. If the houfe and flues, &c, be in the
fame ftate as above, no great evil can arife
from having the furnace door, or its valve,
open; becaufe fuch is the ftationary nature
of air, (fo to fpeak,) particularly in fuch an
intricate, lengthened, and horizontal confine-
ment as this, that it will not enter the houfe
through the vacuities, and the air-flue.
Thefe two cafes apply principally to the
fummer months, and are comparatively of
little importance. But,
3 - ^
\
( 57 )
If a ftrong fire is put on in the after-
noon or evening, and the afh-pit valve, or
the afh-pit door itfelf, be left open during the
night, the fire will be foon exhaufled, and
the houfe cooled. Care, therefore, muft be
taken to keep it fhut at all times through
the night, and always through the day,
when the fire is in a proper ftate for fhut-
ting in the damper.
It is proper to notice here, however, that
the briggs, for fimilar reafons to thofe given
in direction 2d, will prevent the flue from
being half fo much cooled, as is the cafe in
common furnaces and flues.
The valve in the afh-pit door, it may be
obferved, is of no eflential ufe ; for the door
itfelf can be opened, more or lefs, accord-
ing to the frefh air wanted for the fire.
This valve is principally neceffary in
large houfes, when a fmall quantity of air
may be admitted to enter by the furnace,
H forcing
( 53 )
forcing an equal quantity of fmoke off, by
a fmall opening at the damper, and at the
chimney top. This opening is left by not
fhutting the damper quite clofe. But thefe
operations are unnecelfary in a fmall houfe,
and can feldom indeed be done without
confiderable lofs of heat.
4. If a ftrong fire is put on in the after-
noon, and when the alh-pit and damper are
clofed, the valve in the outer furnace door is
left fully open ; the houfe will be rendered
too hot at the beginning of the night, and
too cool before morning; for the air will
continue to rufh in until it has nearly
cooled the fire place. But it deferves to be
remaked as above, in dire&ion 2d, That
fuch is the flationary nature of air, and
particularly in fuch an intricate lengthened
and horizontal confinement as this vacuity,
that
( 59 )
that though the valve was left fully open,
the houfe would not be greatly cooled *.
Obferve, that it is more fafe to* turn it
round, fo as to leave an opening about one
fourth of the full fize. This will keep a
fmall, but uniform current of air entering
the houfe during the whole night.
5. In the morning when the fire then
put on, is fo far confumed or kindled, as to
be in a ftate fit for doling the afh-pit door
and the damper, if the temperature of the
houfe is much too low, open the valve fully ;
but if it is not required to raife the tempe-
rature much, then open it one half only.
Shut it entirely if the houfe is fufficiently
H 2 hot,
* Nothing like what fome have experienced, who
have placed large plate iron pipes acrofs the chamber,
with one end in the houfe, and the other in the open
air. See Evelyn’s Account of his Confervatory, in the
10th edition of Kalendarium Hortenfe.
S
( 6o )
hot, or open it, and while heated air is ad-
mitted, pump in cool air to lower the tem-
perature of the houfe.
Thefe directions, it is to be feared, will
give fome an idea that this furnace and air-
flue, are of too intricate a nature for gene-
ral practice; but, the contrary may be feen
at Dickfons and Shade’s nurfery. And the
whole alterations will, wherever they are
eventually executed, be found to give much
lefs trouble than the common furnace and
flues.
6. This may be a proper place to ob-
ferve, that, from the experience of the above
hothoufe, in January and February laft, in
fevere weather, one fire put on in the af-
ternoon, twenty or thirty minutes before
the men gave over working — was ready
for fhutting the afli-pit and damper, and
turning the valve one fourth open at that
time,
*
( 6i )
time, and that this fire ferved until next
morning. That a fmall fire put on in the
morning, and managed as above directed,
(fee direction 5.) lafted till the afternoon.
That in mild weather, one fire put on in
the afternoon, lafted for twenty-four hours.
In that furnace in Dickfons & Shade’s
hothoufe, no recefs, as advifed, is made for
preferving live-coals to rekindle with, yet
when the fire is not too much exhaufted,
by throwing in a fhovel full of coals or allies,
before the damper is Ihut in, it can be
lighted perfedly from the red allies next
morning.
From the very fmall fize of this furnace,
and from the gardener allowing the fuel to
be too much confumed before he Ihut in
the damper, it was, when firft tried, gene-
rally extinguilhed in the morning ; but, by
taking care to Ihut in the damper as foon as
the grofier fmoke was expelled, it has re-
mained in a ftate proper for being re-
kindled
( 62 )
kindled for twenty hours, and had it been
of fuch a fize as is reprefented in the plate,
I fhould fcarcely think the recefs necelfary.
Every gardener knows, that in kindling
the fire from the allies, the live coals mult
be drawn over the grate to the front of the
furnace, and the frelh fuel thrown in im-
mediately behind them.
It may be remarked here, that when a
few coals are thrown into the furnace in
the evening, immediately before {hutting
in the damper, the fire is lighted with un-
common eafe next morning. The mere
opening of the afh-pit door and the damper,
has frequently made it blaze without being
ftirred up. This is owing to the prefence
of the betuminous part of the coal, which
could not be carried off in the form of
finoke, becaufe, by fhuttmg m the dampei,
l$c. no frelh air was allowed to come in
contaft with it.
CHAP.
( 63 )
CHAP. VI.
OF THE INNER ROOFING.
SECTION I.
Of its Con/IruBiotiy and the Mode of Fitting
it to the Houfe.
The inner roofing is fimply a collection of
curtains of coarfe woollen cloth, which are
made fo as to flide down upon wires, fix or
eight inches within the glafs.
Thefe
( 6 4 )
Thefe curtains can be drawn up, and le£
down at pleafure, by means of cords and
pullies. Each curtain may be made ten or
fifteen feet broad, and of fuch a length as
will reach from the top down the floDe and
upright glafs, to the front wall.
Along the one end of each curtain is at-
tached a rod of wood about an inch or two
inches fquare, and the other end is fixed to
the top of the houfe : or, in l'ome cafes, to
the bottom of the upright glafs. This is
done — either by fimply nailing on the edge
of the curtain; or by fixing it previoufly
upon a piece of wood, which wood can be
fixed up, and may be taken down, along
with the curtain ’whenever the inner roof-
ing becomes unneceflary.
Whatever be the breadth of the curtains,
each has along one edge a row of hooks,
about two feet afunder, and at the other
edge,aftripeof cloth, fix or eight inches broad,
is
( 6 S )
is left unfixed at top, and without being-
attached to the rod at bottom : which is by
way of overlay, to be ufed after the curtains
are let down. In the edge of this overlay
are fixed rings which are intended, in con-
junction with the hooks, to fix and join the
curtains together after they are dropped.
The overlay, rings, and hooks, &c. will be
feen in fig. i. plate III. where a a is the
overlay, b b the rings, c c the hooks, d d the
cord, and e e the rGd fixed to the end of
the curtain.
There are too ways of ufing the cords
and pullies, which fhall be defcribed.
In the firjt way, a row of rings are
fixed about eighteen inches afunder, in a
line down the centre of the curtain.
Through thefe rings a cord is paffed and
fixed to the rod of wood at bottom, as is
{hewn in plate III. fig. i. The other end
of the cord is paffed through a fmall hole in
the upper end of the curtain, and (after the
I
curtain
( 66 )
curtain is fixed) from thence over a pulley
to a pin or hook, as fhewn in fig. 2. plate
III. During the day, when this curtain
is “ tucked” up, it aifumes the form
exhibited by the dotted lines in the fame
figure, or as more fully fhewn in fig. 6 .
plate II. Thus by having the appearance
of a cornice, it will be a great ornament
to the houfe.
When the curtain is put up according to
this plan, which is the cheapefl, and will
anfwer in mo ft cafes, the trellis, if there
is any, muft be kept at leaf! one foot under
it, or about eighteen inches from the glafs.
This is recommended in order that the
leaves of the trees trained on the trellis,
may fuller no injury from the folds of the
curtain when it is drawing up.
Th q fecond mode is exactly upon the fame
principle with the practice followed by up-
holfterers in hanging window-blinds.
The curtain, in this cafe, is rolled upon a
fmall
( 6 7 )
fmall round piece of wood, on one end of
which is fixed a pulley, and dire&ly under
this pulley, upon the back wall, is fixed a
rack pulley. A cord is made tight over
both the pullies, and by moving this cord
upwards or downwards, the curtain is either
let down or rolled up. See plate IV. fig. 2 .
When either of thefe curtains is placed
at the top of the houfe, it will generally
roll down upon the wires, (one of which
is fixed under each rafter,) with its own
weight. But,
If either be placed at the bottom of the
front glafs, or if the houfe is fo flat that the
weight of the curtain will not caufe it to run
down, then a cord mull be attached to the
centre of the rod of each curtain, and that
cord paffed over a pulley, placed either at
the top of the houfe, or upon the top of
the upright trellis or wire, as at a, in
%• 3- P late IV. according as it may hap-
I 2
pen,
( 68 )
pen, that the curtain is to be drawn down,
from the top, or drawn up from the bot-
tom.
In general, however, when the curtains
are fixed at top, and do not Aide down
freely, this operation may be fufficiently
accelerated by a fmall rod, fix or eight feet
long, with a hook at one end. And,
This rod will ferve at the fame time to
hook on the overlays of the curtains.
For the glafs ends of houfes, a curtain
fiiould be made exadlly in the fame form as
the end. It may be contrived, either to be
drawn up from the bottom, or to roll out-
wards from a pole placed upright in the angle
next the back wall If of this lafi: form, it
fhould have fmall rods run through it in a
perpendicular direction, to preferve it exact-
ly the fize of the end. Thefe rods will prove
uo detriment in rolling the curtain round
the pole.
In
( *59 )
In this end curtain a flit mull be made
immediately oppolite the door, that the
operator after he has let down and. fatt-
ened all the curtains, may be allowed to
pafs out of the houfe.
The roof curtains, may either be fixed
to the end curtains, by rings and hooks, or
when the ends of the houfe are of mafon
work no end curtain will be neceflary.
The roofing can then be fattened to it,
either by common tenter hooks, or by a
narrow flip of cloth nailed to the wall by
way of overlay.
It is almoft needlefs to add, that when
two adjoining houfes are feparated only
by a glafs divifion, unlefs the one houfe
be a ttove, and the other a greenhoufe,
or fuch like, an end curtain will not be
requifite.
In the cafe of a circular houfe, or one
containing
l
( 7 ° )
containing a number of fides, the curtain
muft be fixed at bottom, and fhould be
made exactly in the fhape of three or four
fafhes. For example, in the cafe of a houfe
circular at bafe, and terminating in a point
at top, the curtain may cover four fafhes,
and may be fomething of the fhape of fig.
3. plate III. y the narrow end of each cur-
tain, can eafily be drawn up to the top by
a cord, and one or two pullies.
In. fuch a curtain as this, fmall jointed
rods of wood may be introduced acrofs it,
as fhewn in the figure, which will ferve ta
ftretch it to the proper width.
Rods of this kind, will generally be
unneceflary where the curtain is equally
wide at both ends.
When the curtains are to come down
from the top along the flope and to the bot-
tom of the front glafs, the wires upon
which they Hide in place of being fixed to
the front, muft be fixed to an upright rod of
wood
C 71 )
wood or iron, upon which alfo the wire
trellis muft be fixed as fhewn plate IV.
%• 3 -
When the curtains are fixed at the bot-
tom of the upright glafs, in any houfe, a
pulley muft be fixed oppofite the centre of
each curtain, as at a in fig, 1. plate IV.
at the top of the ftandards which fupport
the wire for the cords to pafs over which are
ufed to draw up the curtains.
In a double roofed houfe, that is, a de-
tached glafs houle Handing north and fouth,
with the roof on each fide wholly of glafs,
it will generally be found bell; to fix on the
curtain by this laft mode.
In different cafes a variety of ways will re-
quire to be adopted for fitting up the inner
roofing, which are not here mentioned. But
it is thought that any perfon of the leaf!
ingenuity, and who underftands the hints
above in conne&ion with the plates, can
never
( 7* )
never be at a lois how to proceed. Should
the contrary happen, by fending a defcrip-
tion of the cafe to the author, he will en-
deavour to give fuch direffions as {hall re-
move all difficulty.
A number of trifling things which will
occur in pradlice are forefeen by the author,
but as they will not prove of any confe-
quence he avoids mentioning them, left he
fhould confute the practical reader.
A number of curtains will doubtlefs ap-
pear to fome a great inconvenience in a
hothoufe, and the trouble of hooking on the
overlays will be thought too great for gene-
ral practice. But the contrary will be found
true; for the curtains will generally be made
ten or twelve feet broad, and thus four cur-
tains will compofe an inner roofing for al-
moft any houfe. In Dickfons’ and Shade’s
hothoufe one curtain covers the whole roof-
ing, which is twenty-three feet long. Every
objection
( 73 )
objection of this kind therefore, appears
nugatory.
If any think that the danger of the cur-
tain taking fire is a powerful objection, they
have only to wet it with alum water before
putting it up, which as any one may eafily
prove by experiment, will very much hin-
der it from taking fire, and wholly prevent
it from burfting into flames.
SECTION II.
Of the intention of the Inner Roofing „
**3The ufe of this inner roofing is to prevent
the warm air of the houfe from coming in
contact with the glafs. An objed by this
means completely effeded.
The advantages which will refult from
this roofing, will be underflood by every
K one,
( 74 )
one, when a well-known fad is adduced :
viz. That heat pafles more rapidly through
glafs, than through any other material.
And that on the contrary, through wool
or ftagnated air more flowly than through
any other body.
Thefe fads are fo well known, efpecially
the former, that it is needlefs to enlarge up-
on them. Any perfon by handing in front
of a fire or looking towards the fun, and
holding before him a plate of glafs, and a
piece of woollen cloth alternately, may thus
eafily convince himfelf of their different ca-
pacities for conducting heat.
It is well known, that heated air always
afcends, confequently in hothoufes, as the
greateft heat is given out from the front
flue, becaufe in general and in all good con-
ftruded hordes, it communicates imme-
diately with the fire, every particle of air, as
foon as it is heated, flies up diredly to the'
glals immediately above, and continues rif-
ing
( 75 )
mg along the Tallies, until it arrives at the
top or highelt part of the houfe ; uniefs
it has before this time parted with all its
heat : A circumftaace which may jultly
be expected to happen, and this more
efpecially, if the joints or interflices be-
twixt the overlays of the panes are left
open, and not puttied up, which is gene-
rally negle&ed ; and often molt lludioully
avoided from erroneous principles. It is no
wonder that under thefe circumltances, and
during the winter feafon, fo much difficul-
ty Ihould arife, both in railing and keeping
a houfe at a given temperature : for, inde-
pendent of the interltices betwixt the panes,
and the current of air, when the fire begins
to decline, palling through and cooling the
flue, &c. as mentioned before, the conduc-
tive power of the glafs alone mult carry off
an inconceivable quantity of heat.
It may be obferved here, that all gentle-
men who have hothoufes, ought to clofe up
th-e interltices betwixt the panes without
K 2 delav.
( 76 )
delay, as an immediate faving of fuel. That
it is fo, mull be abundantly evident to him
who will think for one moment upon the
fubjed.
It is therefore needlefs to take time to
point out the numerous trifling, and falfe
reafons, which have been given for oppo-
fite ideas ; fuch as the letting off drops of con-
denfed fleam — permitting foul air to efcape
— preventing the frofl from breaking the
glafs, Nor fhall any thing be faid
refpeding the fuperiority of the other mode,
but merely that it is adopted and recommen-
ded by all the principal, and moft enlight-
ened gardeners round London, and even by a
number in Scotland ; who have uniformly
found no evil confequence to refult from the
pradice, (as was foundatMr Mawer’s, Dairy,
where, from the fleam, it was more likely to
prove unfuccefsful than in any cafe,) but on
the contrary, many and great advantages in
faving fuel, and keeping up the tempera-
ture
( 77 )
ture of the houfe. In mofl cafes the panes
fhould overlap one another about three fix-
teenths of an inch, and the joints betwixt each
fhould be clofed with black or red putty.
It will appear evident to every one, who
fhall conlider the nature of the inner roof-
ing adopted, that it will, in a very complete
manner, prevent the air of the houfe from
being cooled upon the glafs.
To prove the advantage of this, it may
be thought requiiite to relate the following
EXPERIMENT.
Though the inner roofing in Dickfons’ and
Shade’s hothoufe, is made of canvafs, in place
of coarfe flannel, which lafl material muff be
vaflly fuperior, yet in very cold weather in
the middle of lafl month, (February) the
houfe being heated in the afternoon, to the
proper degree, the inner roofing was let
down, and the fire allowed to go out. Next
morning
( 78 )
morning the heat had only abated two or
three degrees — no fire was added, but the
roofing allowed to remain down all that day,
(which proved to be cold and rainy,) no fire
was put on that evening, and next morning
at feven o’clock, the thermometer was with-
in lefs than nineteen degrees of what it flood
at when the roofing was let down forty
hours before : and ftill it was fifteen degrees
above the temperature of the atmofphere.
Had the inner roofing been of woollen
fluff, in place of linen, feveral: chemifls who
have examined the hothoufe, and to whom
I mentioned this fact, have no doubt that
it would have retained the heat for one
week *.
Two
* Coarfe linen was ufed in place of coarfe flannel,
from an idea that in this trial 5 it would come cheaper ;
but this is hardly the cafe, and the fuperior nature of
woollen cloth, renders it decidedly preferable.
( 79 )
Two or three days after, the houfe was
raifed to the fame degree of heat, about the
fame hour in the afternoon, and left without
putting down the inner roofing, and with-
out putting on any more fires, for the fame
number of hours as before. And though the
weather happened to be better, than in the
other experiment, the thermometer in the
hothoufe, was found at the end of two nights
and one day, to be only five degrees above
the temperature of the open air.
Thefe fads, which were witnefled by
Meff. James and George Dickfon, and alfo
by the gardener who had the charge of the
hothoufe, Mr John Roger, a very attentive
young man, will not appear furprifing to
thofe, in any degree acquainted with the
dodrine of heat.
Sect
( 8o )
SECTION III.
Of the Mode of ufing the Inner Roofing.
ILittle or nothing requires to be faid un-
der this head.
The time of ufing it in floves and pine-
ries, is during the winter and fpring months,
and in vineries and peach-houfes, during
the forcing feafon. During thefe periods
it ought to be dropped or let down every
evening, after fun-fet, and drawn up every
morning, at or before lun-rife.
In feafons when the curtains are unnecef-
fary, they may be taken out of the houfe, and
preferved dry until winter ; or if it is found
inconvenient to unfix them, they can be
rolled up and covered with a piece of oiled
canvafs, which will preferve them from that
moifiure-
»
( 8i )
moifture which ought always to exift in the
air of hothoufes.
When the curtains of a hothoufe are all
let down, though regard muft be had to have
few interftices, by more or lefs carefully
hooking on the overlays, yet, though l'ome
of thefe may occur, no great lofs of heat
will arife from them. For the whole air of
the houfe being ftagnated, as well as that
betwixt the inner roofing and the glafs, the
quantity of heated air which will efcape
through thefe interftices and come in con-
tad: with the glafs, will be very fmall in-
deed.
It may be thought by fome, that this
roofing would anfwer equally well if it was
placed over the outfide of the glafs ; but this
is a great miftake; for fuppoling it poflible
to place it there with fufficient exadnefs, to
fix it perfedly fecure againft all winds, and
to glaze it againft rains, ftill the heated air
of th.e houfe coming in contad with the
( 82 )
glafs, would give out fo much of the heat,
as that the vacuity betwixt the cloth and
the glafs in the out fide of the houfe, would
be warmer than the general air in the
houfe.
It is not affirmed, however, that canvafs
placed upon the outfide of glafs roofs, as Dr
Anderfon recommends, is of no ufe : On
the contrary, they have always been found
of confiderable advantage. Canvafs covers
for hothoufes occur in two or three places
in England, and at the late Mr Mawer’s,
Dairy, they were fuccefsfully ufed to pro-
tect a greenhoufe. The author never heard
of any hothoufes where an inner roofing
fuch as he has made is in ufe,
CHAP.
OF THE AIR-PUMP, OR AIR-EELLOWS.
SECTION I.
Of the different purpofes for which Air is
admitted into Hothoufes.
A.ir is, or at leaft ought, to be admitted
into hothoufes, for one of the three follow-
ing purpofes, and frequently for all of them
together.
L 2
I. For
( 8 4 )
1. For the purpofe of ventilating the
houfe; that is, carrying off all the air in the
houfe, and afterwards palling through it in
a current, until the falhes opened are Ihut,
and then the houfe is left full of new or
frelh air.
2. In order to mix with the air of the
houfe, that it may prove more congenial to
the plants; and,
3. In order to mix with the air of the
houfe, merely for the purpofe of lowering
its temperature, when it is too warm.
Thefe three objects being very different, it
is plain, that feparate modes of accomplifh-
ing them ought to be adopted. No difference
however of any kind, takes place in practice;
but on the contrary, whatever be the ob-
je6t or purpofe, the falhes are opened or let
down, without any farther thought or trou-
ble.
( 85 )
ble. It is true, indeed, that in mild weather,
or when the temperature of the houfe is very-
high, more fafhes are let down, than when it
is very cold, which is fo far good, although in
faff this difference ferves little purpofe. But
afide from this, the confequence of indif-
criminately letting down the fafhes, what-
ever may be the purpofe for which air is
wanted, is this, that ventilation with the
air of the atmofphere, though it fhould be
in the coldeft winter day, is unavoidably
produced, the houfe is fuddenly deprived of
all the heated air which it contained, and
not only filled with that of the atmofphere,
but fanned or blown upon by a current of
it, palling rapidly through among the plants.
This mull neceffarily carry off much heat,
chill vegetation, and bring on difeafes.
To remedy this evil, it feems requifite to
confider the three different purpofes for
which air is admitted.
The
( 86 )
The common mode of opening or letting
down the fafhes, mull undoubtedly be the
molt complete way of promoting ventila-
tion with the air of the atmofphere ; and in
mild weather, when this can be adopted,
furely nothing can equal it. Refpefting
this purpofe, therefore, which is the firffc
mentioned, nothing further requires to be
faid at prefent.
The two other purpofes are accompliihed
by the fame operations, and we have only
to conlider, which is the beft mode of ad-
mitting frefh air into a hothoufe, for the
purpofe of being mixed with that which it
already contains.
Air is an elaflic, or compreffible body, and
it is well known, that any houle or velfel filled
with it, in any of its ordinary hates of expan-
sion, is capable of containing double or triple
the quantity of the fame temperature ; con-
iequentty of containing a greater proportion
hill
( 8y )
dill if the air to be forced into the houfe
or vellel, is hotter than that which is con-
tained in it, and a leffer proportion if the
air to be forced into the houfe or veffel, is
colder than that which it contains.
The great ufe to be derived from a know-
ledge of thefe fads in hothoufes, are evi-
dently thefe:
1. The air of the houfe may be con-
denfed or cooled to any temperature, not
under that of the atmofphere, without al-
lowing any of this heated air, now in the
houfe to efcape. t
2 . The operator has it in his power to
enlarge, in a double degree, this medium of
refpiration (ah) for the vegetables, by forc-
ing into the houfe, once a day or fo, double
the quantity of air which the houfe ufually
contains.
( S8 )
contains. This may be called, “ charging
the houfe.”
3. It is in the power of the operator to
admit a much greater quantity of frefh air,
than is the cafe in ordinary hothoufes ; when
it often happens, that for feveral days toge-
ther, and frequently for more than a week
at a time, none of the fafhes can be let
down or opened.
4. That this frefh air can be admitted
without chilling the plants in any degree.
In proceeding to act upon thefe princi-
ples, it occurred to the author, that as the
atmofphere is often extremely cold in the
winter feafon, there might frequently be a
degree of difficulty in performing the ope-
rations, and fome rifk of chilling the plants,
if the air was forced into the houfe imme-
diately from without, (though it is proper
to
( 89 )
to notice here, that there is not one tenth
part of the danger, which occurs by the
common mode;) it would be an advantage,
if the air to be forced into the houfe were
of a moderate temperature, at leaf! two or
three degrees above the freezing point.
Now, as moft ftoves have, and indeed re-
quire, a back fhed for covering the furnace,
and for containing fuel and other materials,
and as the air in thefe fheds is always tem-
perate, it feems beft calculated for being
forced into the houfe.
From thefe obfervations, it is prefumed,
the reader will fee the importance of the
objedt in view, and alfo, that it is fo far a
convenient and practicable plan. It re-
mains only for the author to point out a
machine, which may be ufed for the pur-
pofe of forcing additional air into a houfe
already full of this fluid. The moft econo-
mical and fimple mode of doing this,
( 9 ° )
that occurs to him, is by uling an air-
pump, or bellows, the form and conftruc-
tion of which fhall be the fubjed of next
fedion.
SECTION II.
Of the conJlruEtion 6f the Air-Pump and
Bellows.
The pump and bellows, though different
in conftrudion, ferve exadly the fame pur-
pofe.
The pump was ufed in Dickfons’ and
Shade’s hothoufe. It is fimply a fquare
tube or long box of wood, open at one end
and
( 9t )
and clofed at the other. (As will eafily be
feen by viewing plate II. fig. 4. ; where the
whole machine is reprefented with one of
the fides taken off.)
In this tube the board a (plate II. fig. 4.)
Was ufed as a pifton or fucker. In this
pifton will be feen a valve, which in prei-
fing it up (by the handle) from b towards c
opens and lets frefh air into the volume of
the pump. In drawing down the handle,
the preffure of the air in the tube or volume
of the pump, clofes the valve at a in the
pifton, and forces open the valve d , near
the other end of the pump, through which
the frefh air paffes into the houfe.
This pump was placed in the top of the
roof, and in the centre of the houfe, (as there
happened to be no back-fhed to that hot-
houfe.) A fhade or cover was fufpended
over the upper end of it, to keep out the
rain; and the under end, from w T hich the
M 2 handle
t 9 2 )
handle e proceeds, was fufpended in the
houfe.
This pump anlwered the purpofe of
drawing in frefh air completely, but as the
fafhes were very old, ill fitted to the rafters,
and not glazed in the interfaces *, it was
impoffible to “ charge” the houfe as men-
tioned laft fe&ion, with double its ufual
contents of air. It ferves to {hew, however,
that a pump may very eafily be conftrudt-
ed fo as to draw in frefh air, and this is all
which was intended in making it.
Since placing that pump, it has occured
to the author, that in the cafe of ftoves and
pineries.
* The reader may afk, why this operation was not
done? It is anfwered, becaufe the overlays of “ fragment
glafs” are fo numerous and fo large, (each fragment pro-
jecting an inch and often more over the next) that it
would have too much darkened the houfe.
( 93 )
pineries, which have adjoining fheds, the
beft way would be to have a kind of bellows
fomething of the kind reprefented by fig. 6.
plate II. placed in the fhed immediately
behind the back wall of the houfe, and
which could be eafily worked by a man
moving up and down the lever a. The
air would thus proceed along the tube
and enter the hothoufe immediately under
the top of the roof ; when defcending it
would diffufe itfelf with the air which it al-
ready contained.
The top, underpart, and tube or nozle of
this bellows, could be made of wood, and
the fides of leather. And as from the
width of the tube or nozle, no great degree
of flrength would be requifite, and alfo
little or no iron work neceffary, the whole
expence of this machifre would be very
trifling.
Nor will the working of thefe bellows
be laborious, as the air will not be nearly fo
much
( 94 )
much comprefled in palling through the
wide wooden tube, as through the fmali
nozle of thofe ufed in fmithys, &c.
SECTION III.
Of the intention and mode of ujing the Bellows t
or the Air-Pump .
It is not propofed to introduce this im-
provement univerfally into green-houfes, or
peach-houfes, or into any glafshoufe of the
fame nature; but principally, into pineries
and fuch plant ftoves, as are heated by mak-
ing fires during the whole winter feafon.
It is thought by the author, that in
houfes of this kind, two advantages will re-
fult
( S5 )
fult from the air-pump or bellows, which
deferve the ferious attention of all thofe
who poflefs fuch hothoufes, and who wifh to
fee their exotics, green, healthy, and luxu-
riant.
The firft advantage, though confiderable,
is not fuppofed to be the greateft, — it is the
faving of fuel.
The fecond, is the advantage which will
refult to the plants, or exotics, not only by
giving them more frequently frefh air, to
refpire in ; but, by greatly increaling its
elafticity, and by introducing it in fuch a
mild gradual manner, and of fuch a mode-
rate temperature as will not chill the plants.
For thefe beneficial purpofes, the gardener
fhould, in ev ry day, which from its cool-
nefs, will not admit of the houfe being
ventilated with the open air, (and this will
be
( 96 )
be the cafe nine days out of ten, in the
winter months) prefs or force in a quantity
of frefh air, with the bellows, having for-
merly raifed the houfe fix or eight degrees
above the medium heat, proper for the
plants during the day.
It is necelfary to repeat, that in pumping
in this air, he fhould not only have a view
to bring dowm the temperature of the houfe
to the proper medium, and give frefh air to
the plants ; but he fhould alfo have an eye to
“ charging the houfe,” that is, filling it with
double the quantity of air, which it natu-
rally contains. The advantages of which,
in promoting the vegetable refpiration, will
be very evident, at once, to chemifts and
botanifls, and it is prefumed will foon be
feen by practical operators.
In many hothoufes, which have not the
interftices betwixt the glafs puttied, this lafl
ufe of the air bellows will be fruflrated ; and
even
( 97 )
even in the mofl exafl houfes it is not fup-
pofed that they will remain “ charged” in
the way mentioned for many hours toge-
ther ; yet if we fuppofe them to remain more
or lefs fo, for five hours every day, this will
certainly prove of fuch advantage, as am-
ply to compenfate for the trouble.
In connexion with this plan, and for
the purpofe of ventilating the houfe with
air of moderate temperature, a long
leather pipe could be got, with one extre-
mity of fuch a fize, as to fit the end of the
bellows tube, where it enters the houfe ;
and with the other extremity, exactly
fimilar to the rofe of a garden watering
pot.
This pipe being fixed on, and one per-
fon working the bellows in the fhed, ano-
ther in the hothoufe, might guide the ex-
treme end of the pipe to any part of the
houfe, or to any particular plant, which in
( 98 )
a more efpecial manner required ventila-
tion, or a lhower of frefh air.
Regard mult always be had that the air in
the back fhed be of a proper or moderate
temperature before this operation is com-
menced. This can be accomplilhed, by keep-
ing all its doors and windows clofe, by open-
ing the furnace door, and by (hutting the
extremity of the air-flue in the houfe ; but
cautions of this kind are unneceflary to
moft gardeners ; for they are generally
fpeaking, a very attentive and intelligent
clafs of men. It (hall only be further ob-
ferved, for the fatisfa&ion of fome, that
\
many gardeners and nurfery-men, who are
in the pra&ice of railing young exotics and
even green-houfe plants, ufe the common
bellows as a ventilator, for the purpofe now
mentioned.
CHAP.
( 99 )
CHAP. IV.
OF THE VENTILATOR.
SECTION I.
Of Ventilation .
Ventilation, and giving frejlo air, have
been generally confounded together in idea,
and in practice unavoidably performed at
the fame time. It has been already (hewn,
however, that there is a wide difference be-
N 2
twixt
( 1Q0 )
twixt adding frefh air to the houfe, and put-
ting that air which it already contains, in
motion.
To accomplifh this laft purpofe, that is,
to put the heated air contained in hothoufes
in conflant motion, is the intention of the
ventilator to be recommended.
In hothoufes nature has been imitat-
ed, more or lefs perfectly in mod things.
Heat is produced from the furnaces and
flues. Light is admitted through the glafs;
rain is fupplied from the fyringe, or the wa-
teringpot j dew, is raifed by pouring watei
upon the flues, or, by fleam apparatus ;
and frefh air is admitted at pleafure. But
what makes up the want of thofe refrefh-
ing and genial breezes, which fan and
invigorate real nature. Surely that ponde-
rous volume of frigid air, which peihaps, for
an hour or two every day, invades the ful-
try
C 101 )
tty hothoufe, and as a rapid current rufhes
through among the tender plants, can never
have the fame falutary efFed as a breeze
of a warm temperature. As well indeed
might we fuppofe, that in Jamaica, a
breeze from Iceland would prove genial to
the fugar cane or the pine apple. It is
granted, that, in the fummer months, the
open air of this country will prove more
refrefhing, than any mode of ventilation
which we can fubftitute : and green-houfe
plants may perhaps be moft advantageoufy
ventilated bv the free admillion of the
*/
open air, for nine months in the year. But
in nature, there is no fuch thing as vegeta-
bles living, for three months in the year,
without enjoying the breeze, as is general-
ly the cafe with all green-houfe plants; and
it is Bill more unnatural to think, that hove
exotics which are deprived of this be-
nefit for nearly nine months, can be equal-
ly vigorous, as if they enjoyed what is na-
tural to them during that time.
By
( 102 )
\
l
By carefully comparing vegetables in the
open air, with thofe in hothoufes, or
fuch as are in fheltered, with thofe in
expofed fituations, it will appear, that
the effe&s of the breeze are strength :
which in herbaceous vegetables, is fhewn
by “ bufhinefs that is, a broad firm
like appearance, and numerous furface
roots; and in trees is fhewn by bulk of
timber, increafe and vigour of lateral
fhoots, and flrength of furface roots.
We fee in nature, that trees and plants
in the fame foil and climate, and enjoying
alike every other advantage, if they do not
equally enjoy the breeze, if the one is in a
fheltered or pent up, and the other in an open
windy expofure, thofe of the former fitua-
tion are tall, weak, unable to fupport them-
felves, and unfightly, * while thofe in the
latter
* Unfightly only when viewed as fingle obje£ls, and as
fpecimens of the particular kind of plant or tree. For no-
thing
( >°3 )
latter circumftances are healthy, robuft and
luxuriant. Now, this difference in effed, is
totally independent of all other caufes; and
hence, in hothoufes, fuppofing the natural
foil, climate and fituation f , exadly imitat-
ed,
thing is farther from the author’s intention, than to fay,
that in wooded dells or foreft fcenery, tall flender trees,
fickly branches, or decayed trunks, contrafted, and fome-
times grouped with others having huge trunks and ex-
tended arms, have not a fine effect. As well might he
transfer the idea to the human fpecies, and with not only
that all mankind were of the fame height and thicknefs,
“ Made in one mould, call in one frame but of the
fame condition, age, colour, and /ex.
•f Situation is a thing by no means properly attended
to in the culture of exotics. It is certainly ridiculous to
think, that the uniform Hope of a bark pit, or a green-
houfe flage, which expofes alike to the fun, every plant
which they contain, can anfwer equally well for plants
and trees which grow on the fides of mountains, in low
rich vallies, in thick woods, in fhady glens, rocky cre-
vices, and on the fides of dark caverns.
( I0 4 )
ed, yet there cannot be a doubt, and we
fee it in fa£t, that the want of the breeze is
a material deficiency.
In the very belt managed hothoufes,
we obferve the plants tall, fickly, and
unable to fupport themfelves. And one
proof that this is owing to a deficiency
of wind or breeze, is, that we fee the
tailed: and molt flender green-houfe plants,
when expofed to the open air for a few
weeks in fummer, as they ufually are, be-
come broad and bufhy, and in general firm,
and have their Items greatly increafed in
thicknefs, with a numerous addition to their
roots: — this every gardener knows.
The fame thing may be very evidently
feen alfo by comparing peach houfes, which
are “ forced,” or brought into a vegetating
date early in the fpring, and thofe which
are forced later, or left nearly to the natu-
ral influence of the feafon. It will occur to
the recollection of every one, who has been
accuflomed
( 10 5 )
accuffomed to obferve them in both ffates,
that the ihoots of the latter are always
much the thickeft and moil luxuriant.
Moil men confound the effects of the
breeze, with the effects of light and frefli
air. Light is that which produces colour in
vegetables. Air is the medium in which
they refpire, and on which in a confiderable
degree they live. The motion of air, or
what is called wind, by a mechanical effedt
upon the whole plant, produces not fo much
rapid growth, as vigorous buihy flioots : and
in trees by the fame means it produces
timber. Trees which are planted very thick,
or in fuch fheltered fituations as not to be
put in motion by the wind, are uniformly fo
tall and flender, as to be good for no ufe in
the arts. The fame thing happens with thofe
trees and ill rubs, which naturally attach them-
felves to fixed bodies, (fuch as walls, trunks
of trees, life.) as the ivy, honey fuckle, LV.
O and
( io6 )
and with any fpecies of tree, when it is artifU
cially fix;ed, fuch as fruit trees trained upon
walls, or efpaliers, new planted trees fixed
to pofts, &c.
Thefe cannot be put in motion by
the wind, and of courfe, we always find
that the diameter of their trunks and
branches, makes little or no increafe.
As the wind feems of fuch confequence
to vegetation in real nature, the imitation
of it in hothoufes mufl be of very confides
able importance.
It has already been Bated, that in favour-
able circumftances, that is, in the fummer
feafon, when the weather is of a tempera-
ture not greatly below that of the houfe ;
the ventilation produced by opening the
fafhes, and admitting a free current of open
air, is heft.
But the intention of the ventilator is to
put the heated air of the houfe in motion,
fo
( I0 7 )
fo as to produce a breeze of warm air at
pleafure.
SECTION II.
Of the Conjlru&ioh of the Ventilator .
ILJnfortunately the author has not been
able to get a ventilator conftru&ed in time
for this publication ; he fhall here, how-
ever, give fome ideas refpe£ling the forma-
tion of one which he hopes will lead others
to think on the fubjedl, and perhaps to in-
vent a better one than he has any idea of
at prefent. It need not be thought from
this, however, that there is any great diffi-
culty in contriving the parts of fuch a ma-
chine, The author is perfectly aware of a
O 2 mode
( 108 )
mode which would anfwer ; though he
has deferred fome weeks giving orders for
conftruding it, in the daily expedition of
feeing Mr Andrew Meikle, of Preftonkirk,
a fmgularly ingenious mechanic, whom he
believes well qualified to give him fome
ufeful hints, if not to invent one in all re-
fpe&s better. At any rate, no time fhall
be loft in producing to the public a proper
machine for the ventilation of hothoufes.
In the mean time, in order to lead others
to the invention of fuch a machine, the fol-
lowing thoughts are communicated.
One kind of machine which the author
thinks will aiftwer, is to be compofed of two
parts.
The firjl part is a fmall box of ma-
chinery, about one foot fquare, nearly upon
the
/
( 10 9 )
the fame principle as the patent malting
jack.
♦
The fecond part is a fan, three feet in
diameter, fomewhat firnilar to that of a
common winnowing machine.
This is intended to be fufpended to the
firft part, and thus the whole machine will
be finilhed.
It is propofed to be hung from the raf-
ters, and to change its place once or twice
a day, by this means varying the wind
or breeze, in fuch a way as that none of
the exotics might be injured from too great
a current, or fuffer from a deficiency of
breeze. This fan was to be fo contrived,
as that by fome fmall alterations it could
agitate the air, more or lefs violently at
pleafure.
There
( )
There is another machine which the au-
thor is apt to think would anfwer fully bet-
ter than the former. This one is propofed to
be made upon a fimilar principle to the com-
mon roafting jack, viz. to ad by the defend-
ing weight as the power. The whole ma-
chine is fuppofed to be contained in a box,
not more than two feet broad, four or fix
feet high, and three or four feet long. It
is intended to be placed upon fmali wheels,
for the conveniency of pufhing it along the
paths of the hothoufe. The wind is fup-
pofed to proceed from the top of this
machine, through a tube in a horizontal
diredion; and this tube, by a particular
contrivance in the machine, is intended to
turn continually round, fo as to diffufe the
wind on every fide.
In ufing it, its fituation is fuppofed to be
changed as before, once or twice a day.
It is thought that both thefe machines
would
( III )
would require to be wound up by a key,
once every ten or twelve hours.
Other kinds have been thought of, fome
of them to move by a fmall wind-mill,
or fan, placed without the hothoufe, &c.- y
but it appears probable, that either or both
of thofe above mentioned, will be found
to fucceed.
section m.
Of the intention and mode of ufing the Ventilator.
f
]F rom what has been already obferved, little
•more requires to be faid upon the fubjedl.
A few hints however lhall be given, as they
may
may lead gardeners into a proper train of
thinking on the iubjedt of air in general.
As in nature, wind prevails principally
during the day, and that especially in the
time of funfhine ; fo in hothoui.es the ufe
of the ventilator mull be confined almoft
folely to the day.
i . Becaufe in the winter feafon, and efpe-
cially in green-houfes, where no inner roof-
ing is ufed, putting the ah of the horde in
rapid motion, during the night, might have
fome little tendency to caufe it to give out
heat : And,
2 . It is found, that the growth of vegeta-
bles, which takes place principally during
the night, is moil rapid when they remain
at red, and in a modi atmofphere.
It will readily occur to the gardener, that
as the wind varies m the open air, blowing
from different quarters, and in different de-.
grees.
t i*3 )
grees of flrength, fo ought it to be varied ill
the hothoufe.
This he will be enabled to accomplifh
from the nature of the ventilator, which
may be moved to different parts of the
houfe, and fo change the quarter or di-
rection of the wind ; — and which may be
made to move flower or falter, and fo change
its force.
Nature muft alfo be imitated in refpeCt
to the moifture of the air during wind. We
generally find the air clear during a fmart
breeze; It is a perfeCt calm in foggy or
thick hazy weather, when the atmofphere
is loaded with moifture, or during the fall
of rain.
Thefe and feveral other parts of the eco-
nomy of nature which might be mention-
ed are not to be followed merely at iuch
times as the operator may clioofe, for this
might often be counteracting nature. We
P muft
( H4 )
muft never attempt to produce a dull thick
foggy atmofphere in the hothoufe in a clear
funfhine day. During the winter feafon, on
the other hand, he muft withhold frefh water
or dew from the exotics though it fhould rain
hard in the open air. For this the natural
climate of the different hothoufe plants muft
be his guide, as well as the totally oppofite
conditions of the plants themfelves : — thofe
in the open air being at this feafon in a dor-
mant ftate — thofe in the hothoufe being
now, and at all feafons, in a growing, and
confequently much more tender condition.
But befides this general way of imitating
nature, a careful gardener will confider the
effects of wind not merely in producing firm
bufhy plants and robuft timber trees, but alfo
in carrying oft fogs, and damps, which in
certain fituations and circumftances, tend to
bring on putrefaction or decompofition and
other difeafes in vegetables. This will teach
him
C ns )
him, that when any thing of this kind hap-
pens with any plant, or in any part of the
hothoufe, a more than ordinary ventilation
is requilite.
By a careful attention to the natural
breeze, many other things refpeding the
imitation of wind will occur, which fhall not
be entered into at prefent.
From a proper ftudy of nature alfo, the
fafeft and moft complete mode of managing
heat, rain, dew, fcfr. may be learned by
thofe who fhall carefully obferve and refled;
upon her beautiful economy. But a more
full confideration of this, as well as the
general fubjed, mud be left for the treatife
on hothoufes.
P 3
CHAP
( )
CHAP. IX.
ON THE ADVANTAGES RESULTING FROM THESE
ALTERATIONS.
Having now defcribed the alterations
which were made upon this hothoufe, and
and alfo fhortly treated of the nature of
thefe alterations ; in taking notice of the
advantages which refult from them, it
feems requifite to coniider the fubjed un-
der two different heads : viz.
( * U7 )
1 . The advantages which have refulted in
this particular cafe; and,
2. The advantages which will refult in
general.
SECTION I.
Of the advantages which have refulted from
thefe alterations in the hothoufe belonging to
Mejf Dickfons and Shade .
The peculiar and uncommon * circum-
ftances which rendered this hothoufe unfa-
vourable
* It is very uncommon to find fuch a fmall hothoufe
with not only the back •wally but the ends and front
of mafon work, and even part of the Hope upon which
the fafiies are placed covered with deals. See page 1 2.
( 2 1 8 )
vourable for fhewing the effect of the al-
terations have been already noticed. The
effects which have been produced however,
{hall be inferted without the leaf! deviation
from truth. Should the leaf!; degree of
dubiety arife in the mind of the reader, he
has only to examine the hothoufe referred
to, himfelf, and enquire of the particulars
at Meff. James or George Dickfon, or the
lad who manages the houfe : or though he
fhould be at fuch a diftance as to render
this difficult or inconvenient, he may em-
ploy fome perfon in Edinburgh to vifit the
hothoufe, and make thefe enquiries in his
room
The firft and mofl linking effedt of thefe
alterations, was the leffening of labour; for.
Formerly
* This is inferted principally for the fake of thofe in
England who may purchafe this work. The utility oi
ihe alterations are already pretty generally known in
Scotland.
I
( "9 )
formerly the fire had to be ftirred up,
and frefh fuel put on feveral times a day,
and alfo every night at eight o’clock; and
the fuel chamber being then large, there
was a continual danger of railing the houfe
to too high a temperature. This kept the
lad (John Roger) perpetually employed
about the hothoufe. After the alterations
were made, in the fevere weather of the end
of December and the beginning of January,
it was never found necelfary to go to the fire
above four times a day: viz. The firlt time
in the morning to put on fuel, the fecond
time in about half an hour afterwards to
open the valve in the furnace door, the third
time in the afternoon to put on another fire,
and the fourth time about half an hour af-
terwards to fhut the valve, which commonly
happened to be at the time of leaving off
work.
At
( 120 )
At prefent, (end of February) it is only
neceffary to go twice a day to the fire place ;
for one fire ferves during twenty four hours.
The fecond principal effedf, was the fay-
ing of fuel.
Formerly (in the beginning of December)
one barrow load and a half, in twelve hours*
and in very cold weather, more was necel-
fary.
After the alterations were made (in De-
cember and January as before) a barrow load
ferved more than fifty hours : at prefent (Feb-
ruary) a barrow load ferves fixty-two hours.
This appears a faving of more than three
fourths of fuel ; but when the difference of
temperature of the atmofphere, and alfo
the difference of temperature produced in
the houfe, are taken into account, it appears,
that a faving of four-fifths of fuel is effe&ed.
The
( I 2 * )
The next advantage is, the having of
time.
Formerly one lad was conftantly employ-
ed in attending to this hove and the green-
houfe, and frequently he required aflift-
ance.
In the courfe of occaiionally calling to fee
the hothoufe, the author has frequently not
found any perfon at hand, and Mr Dickfon
has informed him, that ever fmce the alte-
rations were made, the keeper has been
every day more or lefs employed, in diftant
parts of the nurfery.
The fourth advantage was the lelfening
of rifle. Before the alterations were made
home accidents were conftantly happening,
with thofe plants which were neareft the
furnace. Two or three yards of the flue,
indeed, was always left without any plants,
as they were in continual danger of being
fcorched. On the other hand, thofe plants
kept at the oppoftte end of the houfe, were
Q. in
i
C 122 )
in continual danger of being too much
cooled.
At prefent the houfe is equally warm
throughout, as is fully known by a ther-
mometer which is kept at each end, and in
the middle. The front flue is uniformly hot
throughout with pots of plants from one end
to the other, which never fuftain the leaft
damage.
The next advantage is the fuperior health
of the plants, which is the natural efFedt of
a more fceady climate and more frefh air.
Some may think, that fufficient time has not
elapfed to judge in this matter. And there
may be fome truth in this, as it is not yet
two months fince the alterations were made.
But, fo confpicuous has been the fuperiori-
ty of the vegetation during this laft period,
that it has aflonifhed every one who ha§
feen it.
Sect.
C 1 23 )
SECTION II.
On the advantages which will refult from thefe
improvements in general cafes .
To know this, it is only neceffary to af-
certain what relation the hothoufe belong-
ing to MefT. Dickfons and Shade, has to the
generality of hothoufes.
It is prefumed, that none who have feen
this hothoufe, or confidered the defcription
given of its hate previoufly to making the
alterations, will deny, that it was in a dou-
ble degree better calculated for faving fuel,
than hothoufes in general.
This being granted, it is plain that the
faving of fuel muft in general be more
than
( 124 )
than double what happened in this cafe.
So that in all large hothoufes, * it may with
perfect fafety be afferted, that a having of
more than nine-tenths of fuel will be effect-
ed . And this the author will undertake to
do in any hothoufe, either in England or
Scotland, containing above a thoufand cu-
bic yards of air, which is the cafe with
many vineries and pine ftoves f.
It is in a great meafure unneceffary to
add any thing to what has already been faid,
refpeding
% Becaufe as the dimenfions of the houfe increafe, the
proportion of fuel faved, will increafe alfo.
f The author will make one fingle exception, which
is the pine Hove at Woodlands, Surrey, eredted by Mr
David Stewart. At the lame time, though he is perfectly
fatisfied he could not fave nine-tenths of the fuel ufed
in that houfe, yet he is fully convinced, that by the ad-
dition of the inner roofing, the faving would be very
confiderable
( 125 )
refpeding the other beneficial confequences
which will arife. The laving of time and
labour is a pecuniary advantage, which in
an extenfive range of hothoufes, will no
doubt amount to a tolerable fum yearly.
But the certain benefits arifing from the fu-
perior health of the plants, and the fecurity
from extremes, or rifk of any kind, are
greater than can well be imagined.
What are the fenfations of a botanifl on
entering a ftove, where all the plants are of
a
confiderable indeed. And he is further of opinion, that
by fimplifying the whole, according to his plan, time
and labour would be greatly leflened, not to fay any
thing about original expences, or the health of the plants.
That hothoufe is, if I recoiled!, upwards of feventy
feet long, and eighteen feet broad, and is wholly cover-
ed and furrounded with glafs, During the winter and
fpring months, a vaft quantity of heat muft efcape thro’
fuch a large furface of glafs, which the inner roofing
would undoubtedly in a great degree prevent.
( 126 )
a pale yellow colour — where they are all
drawn up into unfightly forms — where even
the leaves and flowers do not afliime their
true natural fhape, and where they all bear
marks of difeafes ?
How different muff his feelings be on en-
tering one, where all is health and luxuri-
ance, where the trees or fhrubby forts are
each afluming their natural form, where
the plants are tufted and bufhy, and where
the natural colours and minute parts of each
individual are ftrongly marked.
Is there any difference betwixt the flate
of a gentleman who poflefles a number of
vineries, peachhoufes, and pineftoves, and
yet is in continual fear of an accident
which may deftroy all the fruit, — and ano-
ther gentleman who in all human proba-
bility is fure of a good crop ?
CHAP.
( 127 )
CHAP. X.
ON THE EXPENCE OF MAKING THESE
ALTERATIONS.
3Perhaps none of the leaft advantages of
thefe improvements is the eafe and economy
with which they may be executed ; either
in the cafe of altering an old, or already
built hothoufe, or in ere&ing one wholly
new.
The
( 128 )
The expence of altering one already
built muft depend a good deal upon the
ftate of the flue ; as, in fome cafes it may
require to be wholly taken down and
rebuilt, and in others the covers only
taken off, the fides heightened, and the
u briggs” put in — adding the air-flue, never
of greater length, than from the fire place to
the other extremity of the houfe.
As formerly mentioned, one fire place
to a houfe, will in all cafes be fufficient.
The furnace may be made upon a larger
or fmaller fcale, agreeable to the propor-
tions of the plan given in plate I. But
one fimilar to that in the plate will fuffice
for all hothoufes containing not more than
a thoufand or twelve hundred cubic yards
of air ; and indeed for moft hothoufes.
The price of fuch a furnace is juft
L2. : io. It may be had at the Edinburgh
Foundry, or at Mr Dalziel’s, (Cabinet
Maker,) Chapel-Street, London, on en-
quiring
( 129 )
quiring for Loudon’s Improved Hothoufe Fur-
nace, which words are printed upon the
door of the furnace. The improved afh-pit
door, made according to the figure given
in plate I. and the grate, are had along
the above furnace, and are included in
with the price.
The alterations made upon the flues and
furnace in Dickfons’ and Shade’s hothoufe,
were executed by workmen belonging to
Mr Gilchrist, Builder , Head of Leith Walk ,
Edinburgh ; whom the author can fafely re-
commend to gentlemen for the execution
of fuch improvements, and for building in
general. Mr G. can fend workmen to alter
furnaces and flues to any part of the coun-
try ; and when gentlemen have not an in-
telligent mechanic in their neighbourhood,
who can work from drawings, or from the
plates, given at the end of thefe flieets, this
will be found the fafefi and moft economi-
cal mode of procedure.
R
The
( *3° )
The expence of the inner roofing is the
fame both in the cafe of altering old, and
making new hothonfes.
The coarfe flannel can be had from E.
^Collier & Co. Lawn Market , oppofite Bank-
Street , at fixteen or eighteen pence a yard,
the fluff being twenty- feven inches wide.
This company have had proper directions
for wetting the flannel with alum, to pre-
vent its taking fire.
The pullies, rings, &c. are to be had
from Mr James M‘Lean, Ironmonger , High-
Street.
Mr James Philip, "Joiner , Broughton , un-
derfcands the mode of fixing up the inner
roofing, and of determining the proper
fhape and dimenfions of the curtains which
compofe it, to any form of hothoufe.
Mr !’. is alio qualified to conftruCt the
air-pump or bellows, and the author can
recommend him for any tiling eife, either
in the way of hothoufes, or in his profef-
fioit
( T 3* )
fi on in general, with the greatefl certainty
that he will give much fatisfacfion to thole
who may favour him with their employ-
ment.
Having noticed this much refpe&ing the
expence of each of thefe improvements fe-
parately, fome remarks fhall be added re-
fpedting the general expence.
In the cafe of Dickfons’ and Shade’s hot-
houfe, where, from the novelty of the plan,
fome blunders were made by the workmen ;
and where, from the inner roofing being
ere&ed in four different ways, before fixing
on the prefent mode, the amount muff be
much more than what can generally hap-
pen. Notwithstanding, however, the whole
expence of alteration did not amount to
twenty pounds.
The author conceives, that from fifteen
to thirty pounds, will generally fufhce for
R 2 altering
( »3* )
altering any ordinary fized liothoufe in
Scotland. In England the additional ex-
pence will be very trifling.
The entire expence of ereding a new
hothoufe, according to this plan, will not be
more than half the above fum, or perhaps
eight or ten per cent, added to the whole
expence of the houfe.
In the courfe of giving diredions for ex-
ecuting thefe alterations upon hothoufes,
the author has found Mr James Gould,
Builder, Muithill, near Crieff, in Stirlingfliire,
a very ingenious and intelligent perfon.
Mr Gould has for fome time pafl been in
the pradice of building hothoufes in the
ordinary way. He has now had fuch direc-
tions from the author, and has given fuch
clear proofs, that he underflands the nature
of the alterations, that he can warmly recom-
mend him to fuch gentlemen of the furround-
ing country, as may be pleafed to adopt any
part of his plan.
The
( *33 )
The author is forry he cannot now refer
the gentlemen in England to workmen
in London and York, who could execute the
improvements in the fame way, as thofe he
has juft recommended in Scotland. In a
few weeks however, the author expects to
have this in his power ; and he fhall take
care, that the names and addrefs of fuch
artizans as he may fix upon, fhall be public-
ly advertifed, for the benefit of all thofe
who may wifh to make the alterations, with
no trouble and little rilk of blunders.
In the mean time, any gentleman who
may wifh to alter his hothoufe immedi-
ately, and with his own workmen, if he
finds any difficulty, by fending to the au-
thor a general fketch, or defcription * of the
prefent
* This can be done in very few words as follows :
Length — breadth — height of front glafs — height of
back wall— two furnaces, one in each end, placed behind,
•.he back wall. The flue of one, is led round the houfe,
immediately
( 134 )
prefent ftate of the houfe propofed to be al-
tered, fuch directions, plans, or models fhall
be fent, as are fuitable to the cafe, and as
will be clearly underftood. The author’s
mode of conftru&ing the fire-place and flue,
is fo plain as to be underftood by the
Ample ft mafon or bricklayer.
CHAP,
Immediately within the ends and front glafs, the other
makes feveral courfes in the back wall. Such a defcrip-
tion as this is amply fufficient.
( !35 )
CHAP. XI.
ON OTHER IMPROVEMENTS WHICH MAY BE
MADE IN HOTHOUSES,
SECTION I.
Of the Introduction of Improvements in Hot -
houfes .
That the conftrudtion of hothoufes, is very
imperfectly underftood, among thofe who
are generally employed to erect them, will
appear very evident, to any who fhall invef-
tigate the fubjedt in a very flight manner.
Kof
( 13*5 )
Nor will this appear furpriiing, when we
conlider the very recent date in which
they have become general in gentlemens
gardens.
It is prefumed, that there were few’ green-
houfes in England before Mr Evelyn
eredted his Confervatory, at ********, near
London. Now the very fame general form
has uniformly been followed, till within,
thefe two or three years. Not indeed ex-
actly the fame conftruction, for certain iron
u pipes” which Mr E. ingenioufly, but ra-
ther unfuccefsfully introduced for the pur-
pofe of fupplying heated air, have been re-
jected ; and this evidently without that en-
quiry into their intended ufe, which was due
to every fcheme devifed by that great man.
The hrft hove eredted in Scotland, was
that which belonged to the late Mr James
Justice *, at Crighton, near Edinburgh,
and
* A great enthufiaft in gardening, particularly in tht?
culture of flowers.
( 137 )
and if we obferve the plan of this hothoule,
&s given in Juftice’s Britifh Gardener, we
fhall obferve little or no difference between
it, and the mod; improved conftru&ion of
pine ftoves at the prefent day.
With refpedt to books on hothoufes, there
has never yet been publifhed any thing in
the way of enquiry into the principles of
their conftrudtion and general management.
Mr Evelyn in defcribing his confervatory,
gives two or three hints refpedting the pro-
perties and management of air, which are
deferving of attention, But in the feveral
books of deligns, which have been publifh-
ed, and are to be had at Mr Taylor’s archi-
tectural library, Holborn, London, not a
word is added refpe'Cting the principles, or
even the properties of the defigns recom-
mended. Indeed thefe defigns are imprac-
ticable, and fuch as could not anfwer the
purpofes of horticulture. The natural confe-
S quence
( 138 )
quence which has ever followed hothoufes,
deligned by mere houfe architects .
' ; • i I
The plans given and recommended by
Mr Abercrombie, Mr Speechly, and feveral
others, anfwer better; but, they contain no
deviation from general practice ; nor do we
find that thefe men have ever thought or
written upon the principles of their con-
it ruCtion.
The fame obfervations will apply to the
deiigns recently publilhed, by Mr Walter
Nicol in his Forcing Gardener *. It is pro-
per to remark,however, that thefe deiigns, tho’
exaCtly upon the principle with thofe men-
tioned above, are perhaps, upon the whole,
better adapted for the purpofes of forcing.
At any rate they are preferable to any thing
that has hitherto appeared in this country.
The
* By Creech, Edinburgh 1802.
( '39 )
The public are greatly indebted to Dr
Anderson, for the many ingenious hints
contained in the account of his patent
houfe, * and this fingle volume is certainly
of more importance, than all the other de-?
figns or books upon the fubjedt which have
yet appeared. But though in fome of the
warmeft counties in England, the Dodtor’s
hothoufe may, perhaps fucceed for a year
or two after the houfe is eredted, it is the
humble opinion of the author, that it will
never come into general ufe.
In different parts of the ifland, there are,
and have long been, peculiarities in the
conflrudtion of fome hothoufes, which, had
they been underftood and attended to by
planners, would, long ere now, have made
a material difference in the conftrudlion of
hothoufes,
S 2 At
* JPublilhed by R. Cumming, Holborn, 1803.
( HQ )
At Abercairnie, near Crieff, in Stirling-
Ihire, heated air introduced by the furnaces
and flues, has long been ufed in a peach-
houfe. And though the conftrudion by
which this is effeded, is extremely imper-
fed: *, yet the end is anfwered in a confi-
derable degree, and a tolerable faving of fu-
el is produced.
The author has been told by a gentleman
(Mr L**, Hammerfmith) in whom, he can
place the utmoft confidence, that heated air
was introduced into a hothoufe in the
neighbourhood of Manchefter, near forty
years ago ; and as it is probable there may
be fome other cafes in England, which has
not yet come under the author’s eye, it is
likely,
* Imperfeft, but not fo completely erroneous, as at
Archerneid, Eaft Lothian, where heated air was lately
brought from the furnaces in a vacuity immediately un<?,
4er the fmoke flue.,
( 141 )
likely, (however ftrange it may Teem,) that
the pra&ice may be traced as far back as
Mr Evelyn’s time. This beneficial im-
provement, having efcaped the attention of
planners, who muff have feen or heard of
fome of the inftances mentioned, but wdio
evidently have not underftood its nature,
would have been loft to the public, had not
Mr Stewart, gardener to J. J. Angiersteen
Efq. Blackheath, Surrey, brought it boldly
forward to public notice, in his patent hot-r
houfe. Mr S. deferves much credit for
bringing the thing into public notice, and
it is to be hoped, he will find fuch a de-
mand for his kind of patent hothoufes *
as amply to recompenfe his ingenuity.
The author by adverting to thofe hot-
houfes formerly mentioned, conceived his
plan
* Which are very different from Dr Anderson’s. Fuel
being in them confidered as neceffary. See fome defcrip-
tion of Mr Stewart’s pine ftove, chap. 8. fe&ion 2,
( *42 )
plan of coliefling and introducing heated air
in hothoufes : and by thinking on the fub-
jedl, and by confidering the nature of heat,
he alfo formed the idea of an inner roofing,
and of the air-pump or bellows. Thefe he
has carried into execution, in the hothoufe
in Broughton park nurfery, at fo trifling an
expence, and with fuch uncommon fuccefs,
as will induce him, when an opportunity pre-
fents itfelf, to execute feveral other improve-
ments. Some of thefe he fhall mention in
the remaining part of this chapter, partly
with the view that fome may have it in their
power to try them, and partly to draw the
attention of others to devife ftill greater im-
provements.
The author would at the fame time
beg leave, to caution gentlemen againft
too fuddenly making alterations upon
any plan in the way of improving up-
on it. During the time that the opera-
tion,
( 1 43 )
tions treated of in thefe pages were going
on in Dickson’s and Shade’s nurfery, it af-
forded much amufement to the author, to
hear the conjectures and remarks made by
fome gardeners and planners about the in-
tention of the different parts ; and after
they were finifhed, it was ftill more curious
to hear, what they propofed as additional
improvements ; moft of which were fo
completely oppolite to the nature of the
plan, that had they been executed, more
heat would have been loft, than is by the
common mode of conftru&ion. Such would
have been the effect of carrying the air flue
a certain length around the fmoke flue, and
afterwards below it only. Or, as was pro-
pofed by another, or carrying it a certain
length around the fmoke flue, and then
making it occupy the narrow vacuity be-
twixt it and the front wall. Several other
improvements were propoled, but it is fuf-
ficient to mention thefe as fpecimens, in
the
( *44 )
order to guard gentlemen againft an over-
rafhnefs in adopting opinions*
When a proprietor is about to make im-
provements, either upon his grounds, gar-
den, or maniion, he would do well to dif-
tinguifh betwixt found argument and mere
aflertion, even though they fhould be the
aflertions of profeffional men. For when
two men are attending to the fame fubjedt,
that is a proprietor and his dehgner, why
Ihould not the arguments which convince
the one, reach conviction to the other
alfo. Thefe arguments fhould, at leaf! be
candidly hated by deligners, and atten-
tively liftened to by gentlemen before any
thing is done. And were this the cafe, a
pradlice would take place in rural improve-
ment, very different from that which pre-
vails at prefent.
Sect.
( 1 45 )
SECTION II.
Of additional improvements in the modes of heat-
ing Hothoufes.
Mtght not many hothoufes, in certain fi-
tuations be heated without having flues
within the houfe ?
Fiifl, Suppofe, as is very frequently the cafe,
that the journeymen gardeners are lodged
in an apartment in the fheds, placed behind
the range of hothoufes ; let the fmoke of
their fire, be condu&ed in a flue through-
out a clofe compartment in the fhed, con-
taining perhaps, from fifty to five hundred
T cubic
C 146 )
cubic yards of air. From this compartment,
which, for the fake of difhnction, we fhall
call the air chamber, let pipes be led to as
many of the hothoufes, as it may be fup-
pofed capable of fupplying with heated air.
Suppofe that two pine ftoves are to be heat-
ed by this mode. Two pipes mult be con-
duced from the top of the air chamber, to
each of the ftoves, and having their extremi-
ties placed at fomediftance from one another,
near the bottom of the upright front glafs.
Let other two proceed from the bottom of
the back wall, or the loweftpart of the houfe,
wherever it may be, to the loweft part of
the air chamber. The confequence of this
arrangement will be, that, as the air in the
air chamber becomes heated, it expands, and
the hot air afcends, and is forced through
the upper pipe into the hothoufes ; while to
fupply the wafte of air m the an cham-
ber, and alfo, to make room for the heat-
ed air to enter the houfe, a currrent of
cooler
( '47 )
cooler air will naturally be forced into the
chamber through the lower pipes. The
heat thus added to the lioves, could be re-
gulated by doling one or both the pipes oc-
calionally. And if at any time, it was
found requilite, fuddenly to raife the tem-
perature of the heat of the fioves, a pair of
bellows with a nozle, which may be joined
to any of the upper pipes, may be ufed,
which will thus force the heated air into the
houfe with rapidity.
Secondly , But as air is of fuch a flationa-
ry nature, the above mode could only an-
lwer in fome cafes, and therefore the fol-
lowing mode appears more generally ufe-
ful.
In the air chamber, let an air flue be con
duded along the top and lides of the frnoke
flue, and let the pipes for drawing off the
cool air from the houfe, enter at one extremi-
ty ; and the other pipes which are to condud
T 2 the
( u8 )
the hot air to the houfes, be led from the
other extremity. In this way, it is certain, fuch
a circulation would be produced, as could
not fail to anfwer the propofed end. The air
added or taken from the pine ftoves, could
eafily be regulated as before. In this cafe,
there would be no need for bellows. The
only difadvantage attending it, would be
the lofs of fome heat, which would efcape
from the air flue, but this would not be
great.
This fcheme, the author is of opinion,
would in many cafes prove highly advanta-
geous. The flue would be at all times hot
o
and ready to deliver heated air, to at leaf!
two or three ordinary fized hothoufes, com
ftru&ed with an inner roofing.
Thirdly , In fome cafes, it may be inconve-
nient to have an air chamber or flue from
the fire place, which happens to be near hot-
houfes. Here a vacuity, formed by plates
of
/
( J 49 )
of iron can be made round the fire itfelf,
and fome times round the whole, or part of
the chimney, and from the top and to the
bottom of this vacuity, pipes may be con-
ducted from the hothoufe as before. If
this was carefully done, it is probable, that
the command of heated air, would be great-
er than in the former cafe.
Fourthly , This laft plan might be adopt-
ed in the cafe of fire-places at confidera-
ble difiance from the garden.
The pipes, except where they joined the
vacuity, might be of wood. One fquare
pipe or tube, could be placed within ano-
ther, and fo fixed by props as not to come
in contaCt with its fides. This fort of
double pipe might be made to ferve at the
fame time for conducting the cool air of the
hothoufe to the vacuity, and round the
fire-place and chimney. This vacuity
formed around the pipe of hot air, would
greatly
( r 5° )
greatly prevent the air in the inner pipe from
being cooled. This double pipe could be led
from the fire-place to the hothoufe in a wall
if fuch happened to be at hand, or, in the
centre of a fmall mafs of mafon work which
could be built under ground. In building
in this tube, it would be a great advantage to
wrap it round with flraw, an inch or more
thick; and in two or three places to drive
in nails, fo as that their points might juft
enter the wood, and their heads be even
with the outer furface of the flraw.
Thefe flraw covered pipes being built in
a wall, or in the mafs of mafon work un-
der ground, in a few years the flraw would
rot and leave the double pipes in the centre
of a vacuity fupported by nails, as fhewn in
plate VI. figure 3. by which means very lit-
tle of the heat conveyed in the air of the
fmall centre pipe could efcape.
The cafes, where this plan could be adopt-
ed, are very numerous ; indeed we can
hardly
( i5i )
hardly imagine a hothoufe in fuch a folitary
fituation, as would, if proper arrangements
were made, prevent the plan from having
its full effed.
If the gardener’s houfe was not at hand,
perhaps fome cottage, or wafh houfe, dairy,
&c. might not be far diftant, or even the
kitchen of the manfion, may frequently
happen to be within a quarter of a mile
of the garden, than which there could not
be a better foutce for obtaining heat at all
times. And thus, without the trouble of
carrying the vacuity for heating the air up
the chimney, a double plate carried round the
fire-place, would in general, prove fufficient
for any two hothoufes; and were this vacuity
continued up the fides of the chimney which
would make no difference in the external
appearance, nor produce any inconvenience
in the kitchen, it is prefumed, that hothoufes,
though placed a quarter of a mile diflant
from the kitchen, might be heated by the
fires
( 152 )
fires commonly made in fuch, with perfect
eafe.
The author would not have advanced
fo much on this head, had he not tried the
effed of kitchen fires, in heating lobbies,
and rooms at confiderable diftance. But ol
this, the public fhall hear more in a fhort
time.
Fifthly. A vacuity and conducting pipes
might perhaps be made around dung hills
with advantage. The effed of M‘Pn ail’s cu-
cumber frame, and of fome hothoufes heated
by dung, Rrongly ju Rifles the fuppofition.
Sixthly. Hothoufes might frequently be
ereded with advantage upon the tops of other
houfes as Rabies, cowhoufes, or even cotta-
ges, or other forts of dwelling-houfes. Vari-
ous are the modes by which this may be
done.
When a mere greenhoufe or conferva-
tory is wanted, nothing more is neceffary
than
( 153 )
than in place of the ordinary roofing of
Hate, tile, or thatch, to fubflitute a roofing
of glafs; having the fafhes conflrucled fimi-
lar to thofe in hothoufes, for the purpofe of
giving air. This kind of green-houfe will
anfwer perfectly upon any kind of houfe,
cottage, or liable, &c. and the heat of the
apartment below will be communicated to
the greenhoufe above, through the ' ceiling
of the low'er apartment. In cottages, or
fome houfes, this ceiling may be made of
any material, and fmall holes about an inch
in diameter made in it in different places ;
but in ftables &c. the ceiling may be made
of large tyles, or thin pavement and no aper-
tures left.
When it is required to make a vinery or
ftove above a houfe or cottage, the chim-
ney, or fhaft of the fires in the apartments
below may be carried around it as flues,
which will give an amply fupply of heat at
all times. But as this will not be required
U in
( 154 )
in the fumraer feafon, a damper muft be
fixed in the flue, at its jundion with the
chimney, and by (hutting or opening this
damper, the fmoke can be prevented
from entering the flue. Another dam-
per would alfo require to be fixed in the
chimney, a little above this jundion, fo as
to force, or rather dired, the fmoke into
the flue.
The air vacuity around the fire-place
may alfo be ufed as formerly recorm
mended.
In both thefe cafes the principal thing to
be attended to, is fo to contrive the fituation
of the houfe, cottage, or liable, as that the
entrance and accefs to the green-houfe, pine-
ry or (love, may be eafy and elegant.
When thefe, or fuch houfes, can be placed
along the outfide of the north garden wall,
this will eafily be accomplifhed. A range
of cottages may be placed along the outfide
of
i
( 155 )
of the wall, (the wall may ferve for one fide
of thefe buildings.) Glafs may be placed
in front of the wall, and with the fame
dope be continued to the top of the cot-
tage roof, as under.
The lower glafs houfe A, may be heated ✓
by the air from the fire-place, and the up-
per one B , by the fmoke in the flue, and
by the heat of the under apartment C.
The hothoufe A may be made a pinery;
and vines may be trained under each rafter,
and at the top of this houfe enter the bot-
tom of the upper one, where they may
be trained upon a trellis forming it into a
vinery.
U 2 ft
( J5<> )
It is probable, however, that the bed
way, when a row of cottages can be com-
manded, is to place the glafs upon the wall
only, forming one fuch houfe as A which
could be eafily heated by the air from the
fires, 13c.
But in fmall gardens in towns, or in
mere plots, or court yards, it may often be
agreeable to have a green-houfe or vinery
upon the top of a houfe or liable, where to
place glafs upon its fides would ferve no
purpofe. The roof alone mull be covered.
It may be remarked here, that there can
hardly be a cafe fuppofed, either in a
town or village, where the hothoufe could
not be warmed by part of the air collected
around either the kitchen fire-place of the
houfe to which it belonged, or round fome
other adjoining fire-places. This the author
confiders of confiderable importance to
many
( I 57 )
many in London, who have, or who may
intend to build hothoufes.
section in.
Of heating hothoufes by Steam , and of Steaming
in general.
IPerhaps the operation of {learning hot-
houfes, by boilers was no where carried on
more extenfively than at Dairy, by the late
Mr Mawer, a well known Planner and
Nurferyman ; as the author was for a con-
iiderable time his draughtfman and general
affiftant, he had every opportunity of ob-
ferving the whole procefs, from the eredion
of the boilers in 1794, to the death of
Mr Mawer in 1798.
It
( ’58 )
It is not the intention of this feclion to
treat fully on the fubjed, but merely to
hate the general refult ; becaufe many per-
fons more fond of fpeculation than well
grounded in fcience, think that fleam may
be ufed with immenfe advantage in hot-
houfes.
At Dairy we had five very large boilers,
which fleamed two pineries, two peach-
houfes, and tvco vineries ; we tried boilers of
a variety of forms, and various modes of fup-
plying them with water. We alfo tried cop-
per, tinned , and white iron pipes for conduct-
ing the fleam to the houfe. We tried alfo
to heat the houfe by filling it with vapour
from the pipes, and alfo by making the va-
pour pafs through it, and thus heating it
by the heat emitted from the pipe alone.
In the pineries, we had alfo fleam pipes
in the barkbed, the vapour of which
we could either allow to be fpent among
the bark, or to difperfe itfelf through the
the
( >59 )
air of the houfe — we tried alfo a great
variety of other ways, and made a great
number of experiments both as to its effeds
and as to the expence attending it, (fome of
which experiments were fent to the Board
of Agriculture.) But the refult of the whole,
although never confefled nor made public,
was, that u Steaming by boilers is not only un-°
necejfary , but an immenfe expence
Steaming by boilers is totally unneceflary ;
becaufe as every gardener knows, a hothoufe
can be fufficiently filled with fleam at all
times, by pouring water upon the flues or
even upon the floor.
If it is unrtecedhry, it is evident the whole
expence of the apparatus, which is con-
fiderable, and the trouble and rifk, which
are enormous, mull be all thrown away.
The author therefore is clearly of opinion,
that it is the mofl abfurd thing imaginable,
to ered boilers for fupplying hothoufes with
v fleam.
( 160 )
fleam. If any kind of implement or uten-
lil were even to become necefiary a car-
ron plate, with edges one inch in height
of any covenient fize, may be placed upon
the hotted part of the flue, and filled with
water. A vafe or any utenfil, clofe fhut
at top, and with a very fmall hole about
half an inch from its bottom, may be placed
upon it, which will thus keep the plate
condantly covered with water, and at the
lame time allow none to run over. A plate
of this kind containing fix fuperficial feet,
and placed upon the hotted part of the due,
will produce abundance of deam, for a very
large houfe — and when deam was not want-
ed, it would be in no danger of being
rent by the heat, as boilers continually are.
Steaming of hothoufes, whether accom-
piifhed by boilers, carron plates, or what is
certainly better, mere watering in the houfe,
is of great importance when properly done i
and
( )
and equally dangerous when done at an im-
proper feafon and in a wrong manner. It
mud be confidered, that when the houfe is
fufficiently filled with fleam, the greater
part of the heated air is driven out — and
that as foon as the fleam condenfes, which
it does in a very rapid manner, the fpace
which it occupied is replaced with cool air
from without.
Steaming therefore in winter, in cold wea-
ther, and particularly in the night time,
mufl be very dangerous; for it is evidently
next to impoffible to keep up the houfe to
a proper temperature in thefe cafes.
In moifl weather, and in the winter fea-
fon, fleaming is alfo very dangerous for bring-
ing on the “ damp” as every gardener knows.
At all times it has a tendency to dirty the
glafs and rot the -wooden work. But on
the other hand it is mofl excellently adapted
for deflroying and preventing infedts ; par-
ticularly the redfpider; and like the dew in
^ the
( 162 )
the open air, it is admirably calculated to
promote vegetation in every dage from
the bud to the fwelling of the fruits or feeds.
The air in hothoufes fhould never be more
charged with fleam, than the open air, ap-
pears to be charged with dew in the even-
ings. Nature affords the bed examples and
indru&ions for {learning.
i
To procure a flow conflant fleam, may
be thought by fome a matter of difficulty,
as it is not obtained by pouring water upon
the flues, which may be very proper fome-
times, but by watering the more cool parts
of the houfe, as the floor, paflages, 1$c. or
by giving the whole plants and houfe a gen-
tle fliower with the feringe.
No rules can be given equal to what every
one may learn by attentively obferving the
dews and evening fhowers in the fpring and
fummer months. And indeed a careful at-
tention to the date of vegetables in foggy,
clear, blowy, and rainy weather, are of
great
( 1 63 )
great importance in directing our practice
in the hothoufe ; every operation performed
in which fhould be in imitation of the more
perfect economy of nature.
It is eafy to conceive, that if a hothoufe
were infedted with infedts, they might be
eradicated by {teaming it two or three
times with fome liquid, the fleam of which
would prove deleterious ; or by placing in it
retorts charged with fome deleterious matter,
to be heated by lamps, which would foon fill
the air wit.* a noxious gas ti.at would de troy
all the infedts without the leaft degree of trou-
ble in fhifting the plants. This fcheme would
probably fave a vaft deal of labour and ex-
pence.
It is needlefs to obferve that a degree of
caution would be neceffary in entering the
hothoufe after this operation. The fafhes
ought to be let down, or pufhed u , and the
doors thrown open to admit a free current-
of air before any perfon ventured in ; and
X 2
even
( 1 64 )
even afterwards a brifk fire fhould be light-
ed and the houfe well watered in order that a
firong fleam might carry off every remain-
ing noxious effluvise.
At Dairy we never had occafion to try
this experiment, for excepting a few of the
fcaly infe&s (coccus) we never had any
other. The coccus is completely eradicate
ed with foap finds and fulphur.
Confiant fteaming rots the blofioms of
ftrawberries, injures fucculents, as Cactus,
Aloe, &c. and deftroys the arcfma or flavour
of fruits, when too much ufed at, or near,
their ripe ftate.
A mode of ufing fleam will be detailed
in next fe&ion, which the author conceives
will be very advantageous.
SECT.
( 16S )
SECTION IV.
Of a new plan for growing Pine Apples .
Of all the different kinds of hothoufes
which are made in this country, pine-
ffoves are the moil expenfive, both to eredfc
at firft and manage afterwards.
There are three things which have ren-
dered them more expenlive, when firft
made, viz.
i. More furnaces, and a greater length,
or more windings of flue are required than
in other hothoufes, in order to produce the
higher
( 166 )
higher degree of heat requifite for maturing
the pine apple.
2. The expence of the pit for the bark
in which the plants are “ plunged” or in-
fer ted.
3. The expence of paved paffages around
the houfe.
The great expence which is incurred in
the future management of the pine-ltoves,
is owing to the following caufes :
1. Attendance being neceflary through-
out the whole year, and conftant fires being
requifite during three-fourths of it. Thefe
0
two things may be greatly lefiened, but can
never be fully removed.
2. The expence of the renewal of the
bark in the pit ; and,
3. The
( i6 7 )
3. The continual expence attending the
operation of renewals, and of turning over
the bark when it cools, fo as to regenerate
fermentation, and thus produce a frefh
heat.
The original and after expence of the
bark, and a confiderable part of the expence
of attendance in general, the author hopes
will be effeded by the following plan, which
will anfwer either for altering ftoves already
built, or for ereding new ftoves, or pine pits.
1 . The general form of the hothoufe is
of no confequence as to this fcheme. But
whatever that may be, an inner roofing, i$c.
are fuppofed to be ufed, and the furnace built
as formerly direded.
2. Convey the flue throughout the houfe,
as is reprefented in plate V. fig. 1. where a
reprefents
( «68 )
reprefents the furnace, above which is the
fhaft or chimney.
The air-flue muft be continued upon the
top of the flue from the furnace to b , where
it muft terminate in an opening, which
may be clofed or Shut by a “ dove-tail” iron
Cover, or regifter valve to be afterwards de-
fcribed: a fimilar opening muft be made at
the other end of the houfe, as at c , of the
fame fize, and with a cover fitted to it in
the fame manner.
The fmoke-flue need not be made above
two bricks breadth in depth, but of consider-
able width, fay two feet. Tyle covers of a
Suitable fize, muft be had, or ftone covers
will anfwer better where they can be econo-
mically procured.
The flue being thus finifhed, a large air-
chamber of the breadth and length of the
houfe, is to be formed around and above it,
by flooring the whole houfe with pavement,
or large tiles placed upon Supports^ as Shewn
in
( i6g )
in fig. 2. plate VI. By this figure it will
alfo appear, that the firft turn of the flue,
upon which alone the air -flue is made,
has its foundation fo much lower than
the reft.
The houfe being wholly paved, a paffage
muft next be marked off, through the mid-
dle of the houfe, above the openings which
communicate with the air-flue, as fliewn in
fig. 2 . plate V. This paffage forms the
houfe into two beds or pits for the plants,
viz. A and B. In each of thefe above the
pavement may be laid broken bricks, flones,
or (in England) flints, four or fix inches
diameter, for fix or eight inches depth,
above thefe may be laid two inches of
rough gravel, — over that one inch of coarfe
fand, and afterwards the foil for the plants.
See thefe fliewn in plate VI. fig 2 .
%
The intention of thefe rough flones is to
preferve an air-vacuity betwixt the earth in
Y which
( 17 ° )
which the plants are placed, and the heated
pavement. And the great advantage of
having it formed in this way, is, that thefe
Hones and gravel, Isc. will preferve the
heat a much longer time, and completely
prevent any danger of over-heating the
roots of the pines. This will be guarded
againft with abfolute certainty, by the cur-
rent of air which will enter by holes made
at equal diflances, in the paffage wall, as at
f f ft plate VI. fig. i . and being rarified
among thefe ftones will pafs off into the
houfe by the upright tubes g g g, &c. in
fig. 2. plate V.
Thefe holes and tubes have each covers
or Hoppers, neatly fitted to them, the ufe
of which will appear afterwards. Water
may alfo be poured in at thefe holes, in the
paffage parapet, or by the tubes g g 7 which
will raife a moift natural heat, (fo congenial
to vegetation,) and will pafs out of the
|ybes as fleam. In this way a moift heat,
( '7i )
equally falutary with that of bark, leaves,
or dung, may be had, without the lead
ride of producing thofe dangerous extremes
to which thefe fermentable materials are
liable; and without any of the trouble of
renewing them, or of drifting the plants in
order to dir up or augment the 44 bark
bed."
When the water is poured into the ruble
done vacuity under the plants, by fhutting
all the holes in the parapet, and alfo putting
on the covers of the tubes, the deam gene-
rated would afeend through the gravel and
fand into the plant-bed : And there it will be
condenfed among the earth and the roots of
the plants, which would prove very beneficial.
Even when no fire is ufed by pouring in wa-
ter in this way, (although the precaution of
fhutting the hole and tubes w T ere not taken,)
it would prove or great advantage to the
plants, by producing a mold 44 natural”
heat in the foil.
Y 2
The.
\
( 172 )
The tubes could be left open at pleafure,
and then the water poured in would fill the
houfe with fleam. Or when the houfe was
too warm they could be fhut, and then the
heat would be retained, &c. So that inde-
pendent of the moifl and uniform heat pro-
duced in the bed by thofe tubes, and by
the vacuity, the temperature of the air of
the houfe could alfo be raifed or lowered at
pleafure.
There are alfo openings in the paffage
which communicate with the large cham-
ber that furround all the flues, by opening
which the whole heated air can be admit-
ted into the houfe at once *
Any perfon capable of refleding upon
the
* ^ is almoic needlefs to add, that by pouring in wa-
ter in thefe openings, the air given out from this large
chamber will aifo be moilL
( i73 )
the fubjeft, will perceive, that from this
large air-chamber, and the large mafs of
mafon work, which will be continually hot,
three confequences will follow of the utmoft
importance: viz.
1. During the feafon when fires are ufed
the temperature of the houfe can be raifed
at pleafure.
2. There can be no danger of overheat-
ing the houfe.
3. During the feafon fires are ufed, fleam
could be produced in the greateft abun-
dance, by pouring w T ater into the air-flue
by the openings k k into the paflage.
But fhould it be found that ' thefe advan-
tages will be produced, and the author has
little dcubt but they will, there are others
which will alio refult from the fcheme.
The
( > 7 + )
The plants which are intended to come
into fruit, in thefe hothoufes may be
planted at proper diitances among the earth,
without being potted. And as for fome
time after they were planted, the fpaces
betwixt them would be very wide, pine
plants in pots might be plunged there, until
the plants intended to remain and produce
fruit, grew fo large as to cover the furface.
Thofe in pots might then be removed to
hotbeds or pits, where they would remain
until they were required to replace any
which might have fruited, &c.
This method of placing plants in pots
among thefe planted in the bed, will be un-
derftood by the following diagram, where
o reprefents the plants in pots, x thofe
planted in the bed.
C *75 )
oxoxoxoxoxoxox
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
oxoxoxoxoxoxox
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
oxoxoxoxoxoxox
About lix or eight months before the
plants were intended to come into fruit,
thofe in pots fhould be removed, and then
the others would remain thus,
x x x x x x
x x x x x x x
x x x x xx
x x x x x x x
X X X X X x
Some gardeners will produce as an ob-
jection to this mode of “ plunging out the
plants” in the bed, that “ hereby they are
prevented from coming into fruit fo foon as
when grown in pots.” But the experience
of feveral gardeners in England proves, that
Vhis \$ owing to the plants being put into an
improper
(176 )
improper foil— that is, a foil too rich, and
deficient in fand. But even in a rich foil,
fuch as one compofed wholly of rotted
leaves, many gardeners know that if when
fruit is lpeedily defired, the plants have
their roots cut round fix inches from the
ftem or centre of the plant, they never fail
to “ fhew” fruit foon after.
Another advantage, and one of no fmall
confequence for the health and beauty of
the plants, and the flavour and magnitude
of the fruit is, that by ufing earth, in place
of bark, the plants may eafily be placed on
a Hope correiponding to that of the glafs,
which will bring them all equally near the
light.
By having a paflage in the centre of the
hothoule only, in place of one around it, as
fhewn fig. 2. plate V. and fig. 2. plate VI.
nearly one third more pines can be grown
in an ordinary fized houfe.
It
( J 77 )
This plan for a pine-hove, the author
conceives will coft much lefs when eredied,
and prove afterwards more economical
than any in prefent ufe. While at the
fame time he thinks it will produce a lar-
ger quantity of better flavoured fruit.
Befldes thefe advantages there are feveral
others which the author thinks would at-
tend this mode ; but thefe, and fome mi-
nute particulars refpedting it, he fhall omit
at prefent, until he finds an opportunity of
putting the plan in practice. Fie cannot
however, avoid giving it as his opinion,
that if pits or hotbeds were uniformly con-
flrudled according to this mode, though in
fome cafes it would perhaps be a little more
expenfive at firfi, yet it would fiicceed
much better, produce healthier plants,
larger and better flavoured fruit, — do away
all riik and danger from extremes of heat
or cold, and fave much labour, time, and
expence.
2
Sect,
( 178 )
SECTION V.
Of an improved pit for growing young Tines ,
Cucumbers , Melons , &c. or for forcing
fruits or flowers.
preferring in view the principles o the
pine-hove, recommended in the preceding
Se&ion, the author prefumes that a pit for
growing young pines, raifing cucumbers,
melons, for blowing early flowers, or for
any fuch purpofe, may be made, as fupe-
rior to thofe in common ufe, as it is fup-
pofed the pine-dove will be.
A
( *79 )
A plan and alfo fe&ions of this kind of pit
are given in plate VII. which are rendered
clear by the letter prefs explanations.
It is fuppofed a hundred feet long, and
is divided into four compartments, all of
which are heated by one furnace. Thefe
diviflons can be kept at the fame, or of dif-
ferent degrees of heat, by means of the
heated air collected around and near the
furnace.
It will be feen in fig. i . plate VII. that
two flues proceed from the fame furnace,
and enter immediately into two different
diviflons of the pit.
The heated air collected around the fur-
nace and flues, in thefe two diviflons may be
allowed to efcape into any one of the four
apartments of the pit.
This is accomplifhed by keeping all the
different regifters flmt, except the one in
the diviflon in which tlje air is to be ad-
mitted : or, the heated air may be perrnit-
Z 2 ted
( i8o )
ted to enter into two, three, or the whole
of the divifions at pleafure, by properly
opening and fnutting the valves.
The intention of the two flues which
proceed from the furnace, is in cafe it
fhould feem requifite to heat only one half
of the pit at a time, or to produce an early
and late crop of melons and cucumbers.
When one half of the pit only is to be
heated, one of the dues muft be flopped by
bricks or clay, and the air regiflers in
the cold half cf the pit kept conflantly
fhut, in order that the whole of the heat-
ed air generated, may be conveyed to the
heated divifions.
When one half of the pit is to be raifed
much hotter than the other, as may often
happen in the cafe of forcing different
plants, or growing different exotics, one
half the throat of the due which leads to
the half to be lead heated, can be built up,
which
( i8i )
which will permit only one half the quan-
tity of fmoke and heat to enter it.
By means of the air-flue and the two
fmoke-flues, the four diviiions of the pit
may very eafily be kept of four different
temperatures. For example, fuppofe that
three-fourths of the fmoke enters one flue,
and only one-fourth the other, (from its
being half clofed ;) it follows, that the heat
of two- divifions of the pit, muft be as
three, and that of the other two as one; and
the fame may be faid of the heated air in
the flues. Now, fuppofe all the heated air
generated by three-fourths of the fmoke
allowed to pafs into one of the hotteft
apartments, and all the heated air gene-
rated by one-fourth of the fmoke, let
off into one of the coldefl: apartments; it
follows, that there will be four different
temperatures in the pit. The flrft in the
diagram
( *82 )
diagram below A , fuppofed equal to one ;
A, will be equal to two ; C to three, and
D to four.
A i
B 2
C3
D 4
Pvofes and
Cucumbers
Straw-
Pine Ap-
and
Afparagus.
berries.
pies.
Melons.
And thus in a pit fo conftructed will one
furnace ferve for forcing afparagus, ftraw-
berries, rofes, pine apples, cucumbers, and
melons as in the above diagram.
It is almoft needlefs to mention here,
what mult be underftood from the im-
proved pine-ftove, and from the plate,
that each of thefe apartments is fupplied
with fleam and heated air from the tubes.
The holes for pouring in the water which is
to
( 1 83 )
to produce this fleam, are {hewn in fig. 2.
Thefe holes are alfo intended occafionally
to admit air, to be rarified in the vacuity,
but this muft be done with caution, parti-
cularly in the winter months.
The tubes which ferve for occafionally
admitting all the heated air contained in the
lower chamber, are alfo feen in the plate.
The inner roofing propofed for this kind
of pit, is fomewhat different from that ufed in
large hothoufes. It is fimply a roll of
woolen cloth, as fhewnfig. 7. plate VII. It
is the breadth of three fafnes, and has a
fmall round rod of wood, fixed to each
end, on either of which it can be rolled up.
Wires as before, are fixed under each raf-
ter forit to Aide down upon. In the even-
ing, when the inner roofing is to be ufed, a
afh i s opened at one end, and a curtain in-
troduced at the top of the pit, and laid
upon the wires, and allowed to roll down,
the operator holding the rod of one end
m
( *84 )
in his hand. When it has rolled out, he fixes
the two ends of the rod in the iron hooks
fhewn by a, plate VII. fig. 6. he then intro-
duces another curtain, and lets it down in
fame way. Thus with almoft no trouble the
whole may be made quite clofe and tight.
In the morning when this roofing is to be
removed, the operator goes to the top and
rolls up the curtains, one by one. He
may then either take them out of the pit,
and lay them in a dry died, or in the win-
ter feafon, allow them to remain in the pit,
as fhewn by the dotted lines in fig. 6.
No overlay is required in thefe cur-
tains, as the one can eafily be made to
projed over the other. But two or three
fmall rods fhould be fixed to each curtain,
parallel to the end rods, which when they
are rolled down, will preferve them ftretch-
ed out to the proper breadth.
It is the opinion of the author, that this
plan of a pit is perfedly pradicable, and he
thinks the dvantages which it wiilproduce
m
( 1 8s )
in faving much time, labour, and expence
afterwards, and in maturing crops of fruits
or early flowers, are of much importance
to gentlemen who indulge in thefe things.
He is certain, that in many places of Scot-
land, by fubftituting pits of this kind, in
place of long ranges of ugly dung hotbeds,
the manure faved, if judicioufly formed into
compofc heaps with peat, (as was long ago
praflifed in Ayrfhire, and recently with
great fuccefs by Lord Meadowbank,)
would be no imconfiderable profit to fe-
veral proprietors, and by poducing more
corn or butcher meat, of fome advantage to
the nation in general *.
Sect.
* For this purpofe no gentleman in the neighbourhood
of peat or mofs, ought to allow a fingle cartfull of liable
dung to be made into hotbeds. Nor indeed to be ufed in
any way whatever, until it has changed or decompofcd a
proper proportion of peat into manure. Gardeners may
no doubt cry out for manure to the garden, but let them be
told, that they can have this in equal abundance from the
(f Meadowbank middens .” They will have no occaGon to
A a
( 1 86 )
SECTION VI.
Of an improved Peach-houfe.
What has been fubmitted in the two pre-
ceding fedions, though founded upon fads,
may be confidered as in a certain degree,
theoretical. The plan to be recommended
here, as an improved mode of growing
peaches, is founded upon experience.
Every one knows that thele trees are al-
ways “ trained” upon a wall or trellis. The
pradice
complain on other accounts, as he will foon find his labour
greatly lefiened by the kind of pits recommended, which he
may make of any dimenfions, or raife to any temperature, to
fuit his purpofe.
( 1 87 1
pra&ice of training trees upon- walls or efpa-
liers, in the open air, originated from a
deficiency in our climate. By training
and faftening the branches, the trees were
preferved from violent winds, and when
this was done on walls, the additional heat
produced by the reflection of the fun was
confiderable. Some may be difpofed to
add as another advantage of training, that
the branches and fruit are thereby uniform-
ly expofed to the fun. But this is not true,
for only one fide of the tree and fruit is fully
expofed ; and, as this is completely unnatural
to all trees *, it cannot be any benefit, but
undoubtedly an injury.
It is certain, that in fituations much
expofed to the wind, fruit is never fo
much fhaken..from efpaliers, as from ftand-
A a 2 ard
* Ivy, and one or two others excepted •, and here It
takes place only with the fleam and leaves, the fruit being
fmall and in a ccrymhis , is expofed alike on all Tides.
( 138 )
ard fruit trees : And it is equally certain,
that peaches, nedarines, and apricots, can-
not be matured in the open air of our
ifland, unlefs trained upon walls. But it
may be feen by any one who fball attend to
the fubjed, and it can be proven from
known fads in the vegetable economy, that
in gardens tolerably fheltered, all fruit trees,
at lead apples, pears, and cherries, always
produce the greated quantity, and the bed
favoured fruit, when left to adiime their
natural diape; with no more pruning than
what is necelfary to admit the fun and air
among their branches. It mud follow from
this fad, as well as from what has been al-
ready alluded to, — the general economy * of
vegetables,- — that peaches, nedarines, and
other tender forts of fruit trees, could we
plant them in a fuitable climate, mud prof-
per
♦
* See the chapter on ventilation and giving air, and
alio Mr Knight’s late experiments recorded in the Phil.
Tranfaftions.
C 189 )
per much better when, left to aflume their na-
tural fhape, than when bound or faftened.
One principal intention of placing vege-
tables in glafs houfes is, that they may enjoy
their natural climate, and why they are not
alfo allowed to enjoy their natural freedom,
can only be accounted for, by adverting to
the deficiency of obfervation and reflection,
in thofe men who generally have the direc-
tion of gentlemen in matters of this kind *.
When
* It is tirefome to obferve the errors that men fall into,
and the immenfe labour, difficulty and uncertainty,
with which they think or reafon upon any fubjeCt, when
they do not advert to nature. I think I may venture to fay,
that there are few arts or fciences, and but few topics in
each of them, but what we have a precedent for, in nature.
And could men at their flrffc outfet in any fubjeCt, look
boldly through the opinions, or works, of thofe who have
gone before them, to nature herfelf, there can be no doubt
that their ideas would be wonderfully enlarged, and that
they would receive more light upon the fubjeCt by a few
hours reflection, than thofe who may have devoted a
whole life time to the trial of experiments, which, though
fome of them might agree, with — yet the greater part
were perhaps at variance with her laws.
C 1 o° )
When the late Mr John Mawer of Dairy,
defigned his own hothoufes, it happened
from a particular circumftance in forming
them into a range, that two large fpaceswere
left betwixt the pine-ftoves and the narrow
peach-houfes. As thefe fpaces were more
eaf ly connected with the peach-houfes than
with the pine-ftoves, it was thought they
could be moft economically occupied a9
part of the former. But as there was no
back wall in thefe fpaces, there was no
way of growing the trees except as ftandards.
Standard peaches therefore were planted
two trees in each fpace which grew rapidly.
To compare them minutely with the trees
planned againft the walls, in the other part
of the houfe is needlefs. It ftiall only be"
obferved, that at Mr Mawer’s death, both
the wall and ftandard trees had been fix
years planted ; the former were pruned and
otherwife treated in the ufual mode, and
bore ordinary crops of fruit, fome years, few,
m
( 19 * )
in others a confiderable quantity. The lat-
ter never had one twig cut from them, and
every year bore a double proportion of
more beautiful, larger fized, and better fla-
voured fruit, than thofe of the others.
A double crop of fruit, and much lefs ex-
pence of management (for training and pru-
ning are tedious and expenfive operations)
are certainly advantages which deferve fe-
rious attention, whatever may be the cir-
xupjftances which produce the overplus.
But w T hen the caufe afligned for this fad
agrees fo well w T ith what happens in ftand-
ard and efpalier apples, and with the ge-
neral economy of nature, it ought (and
it cannot fail,) to convince every one capa-
ble of reflecting on the fubjed, of the great
fuperiority of the plan recommended* And
confequently, that peaches, nedarines,
when grown under glafs, fhould not be train-
ed either upon the walls, trellis, or efpaliers ;
but fhould be planted as ftandards, and left
to
( l 9* )
to adume their natural ftiape and modes of
growth.
Suppofing this granted, fome hints fhall
now be fubjoined refpecting the form of a
houfe mod proper for this purpofe.
The fil'd thing requifite is, that the houfe
fhall be glafs on all fides, in order to admit
light to every fide of the trees.
That this may be bed effected it follows,
that it fhould be made of an oblong form,
and placed fouth and north ; and that the
trees fhould be planted along the middle
of the houfe.
The next thing is, that the fide or upright
glades diould be made as high as podible, in
order that the trees may not be cramped or
comprefied.
This naturally reminds us, that the houfe
diould be of a condderable height, at lead
twelve or fourteen feet.
In order that no ground in the houfe be
lod, it feems preferable to plant dwarf-trees
that
( *93 )
that they may fill the houfe with branches,
regularly from the ground to the roof.
No vines fiiould be planted againft the
rafters in this houfe, but they may be plant-
ed near the columns, and trained around
them to their tops, where they may be
left in a great meafure to themfelves, and
in the progrefs of their growth they will
hang down obliquely, and ftretch acrofs
among the branches of the trees, form-
ing curious and diverfified feftoons of grapes
and peaches, and producing more fruit than
if neatly trained in ftraight lines, upon a
wall or trellis.
I cannot avoid mentioning here, my utter
difapprobation of the common mode of train-
ing vines, by fixing all their fhoots in ftraight
lines ; it is juft as unnatural as it would be, if a
gardener were to infer t a plant of ivy in a park.
B b and
I 194 )
and endeavour to train it up as a iingle tree.
A Angle glance at a vine plant, not to men-
tion what we know of its habits when in a
wild hate, will ihe v that nature never intend-
ed it to grow in a ftraight diredlion Every
gentleman in Scotland, (for in England it is
better known,) ought to caufe his vines be
trained crooked, or in a ferpentine direflion.
This will make them fpring at, and fend out
fhoots, from every eye, and produce double
crops of fruit every year. See 'Forfyth on
fruit trees.
The plan for a peach houfe given in plate
VIII. may be placed either with one end
againft a wall, or made a detached houfe
(as in the plates,'' in any part of a gar-
den, or orchard. In this laft cafe the fur-
nace can be concealed under ground, and
the fhaft or chimney either carried up in
a final! plate iron column, as in the plate,
or
( l 9 5 )
or in a flue under ground, to the garden
wall, or fome concealed fpot.
It may be worth while to remark, that
when the flue is carried under ground, a
vacuity muft be formed around it, in order
to prevent the bad effects of the damp or
moifture of the ground, from retarding the
draught of the fire.
But though this particular form be re-
commended as the bell conffrudtion of a
peach-houfe upon the principle contended
for, yet houfes may be made much in the
ordinary way, and the trees grown as flan-
dards with an effect, it is prefumed (and in-
deed it is certain, as the peach-houfes at Dai-
ry, where the ftandards fucceeded fo well,
were placed againfl a wall, and were alfo
greatly fliaded by the pine-ftoves) — much
fuperior to the common mode of training
a trellis.
The principal thing to be attended to in
this
( 19 6 )
this cafe is, to make the upright glafs of
confiderable height, and the houfe not of
great breadth.
A fedion of fuch a houfe is given in plate
IX. fig. 4. ; vines are fhewn trained upon a
trellis placed againft the back wall. A plan
agreeable to this fedion, is eafily contrived.
It may farther be obferved, that ftandard
peaches may be grown in the ordinary kind
of peach -houfes ; or, indeed in any kind
of hothoufe, by planting dwarfs, and as
they grow up direding their branches
in fuch a way as they may not come
much in contad with the glafs. A thing
more or lefs neceflary in every conftrudion
of a houfe for growing ftandards, and which
even requires to be done when trees are train-
ed upon a trellis. A fedion of a houfe alter-
ed in this way is given plate IX. fig. 5.
Sect.
( *97 )
SECTION VI.
Of architectural decorations in hothoufes .
In Archite&ure which, is intended to pleafe
the appearance of folidity and flrength are
eflentially requifite. For this purpole it is a
rule with architects, that openings be made a-
bove one another, and that every folid appear
of fufficient magnitude to fupport the fuper-
incumbent parts of the edifice. When open-
ings are very numerous in one part of a
building, and when another part adjoining
feen at the fame time, contains very few, it
never
( 1 9 8 )
never fails to difpleafe. If the heavy part
be uppermoft, it appears to crufh down that
which is below ; and, if the light and open
part be uppermoft, it appears difpropor-
tionate to the reft and trifling. Hence it is
that mafon work can feldom be allowed to
appear in the elevation of hothoufes ; and
thus old fafhioned greenhoufes, with ftone
columns, and a ftone parapet above, gene-
rally, if not always, look heavy and difplea-
ling. Old greenhoufes with wooden columns
and a dated roof, as well as modern glafs-
houfes,when the back wall againft which they
are built appears above them, look exceeding-
ly ill. Cuftom cannot reconcile us to this
effect, tho’ we are certain that no part of the
wall bears any weight upon the glafs. Even
the ftone coping when feen projecting over
the glafs, is exceedingly ugly. The modern
mode of carrying up fummerhoufes above
jhothoufes, as at Preftonhall in Scotland, and
Heythrope
( -199 )
Heythrope in England, in the opinion of
the author at lead, have a very bad effect
in fcenery ; behdes their incongruity when
confidered as overlooking the kitchen gar-
den, which certainly like the kitchen itfelf is
not an object intended for beauty. Mafon
work in hothoufes difpleafes alfo in another
point of view. Every one knows that their
ufe is to grow vegetables, and none are fo
ignorant, as not to be aware, that plenty of
light is elfentially requihte to produce fruit
and flowers in perfection. Slate roofs then,
thick ftone columns, or dead walls, tend to
exclude this fluid, and of courfe to fruftrate
the end in view.
* : . •
Thus it appears, that in hothou r es, every
thing in the elevation which has a heavy
appearance, or tends to exclude the light,
in fome degree fruftrates their utility, dif-
pieafes the eye, and confequently ought to
be avoided.
( 200 )
F or this purpofe a good general rule may
be,
i* To let no mafon work be feen above
the level of any part of the glafs.
2. That the whole of the roof be glafs ;
and*
3. That the wooden workmanfhip be
made as light as poUible.
And it may be obferved, that this effed
will be mod: perfed, when they are totally
unconneded with any wall or done building,
but merely raifed upon a level furface, built
on all lides with glafs, and roofed with the
fame material.
Circular columns, are inadmiffible in the
fidesof hothoufes ; becaufe they are unfuitable
for fafhes or panes to Aide in, and becaufe
they throw more fhadow than fquare ones.
In all cafes fquare pillars are bed ; where
they require to be broad, they may be paint-
ed
( 201 )
ed green and covered with virgin’s bower.
Paliflora or forne fuch fhrub. When fo nar-
co vv as ot properly to admit of being covered
with folia e, t;eymay be painted the general
colour of the wood work, which in all cafes
ought to be a v ello wifh white or cream colour.
In hothoufes erected merely for the purpofe
of utility, fuch as vineries, peach-houfes, &c.
the workmanfmp fhould be plain, neat, and
fubffantial ; in thofe defigned for ornamental
produ&ions, fuch as the greenhoufe, exotic
ftove, & c. elegance fhould be added. The
mouldings, &c may be more numerous, and
delicate, and every thing elfe in a correfpon-
dency. The colour of the walls and flues
fhould be brown or of oaker yellowy the
ftage in the greenhoufe, and all the infide
wmrk, except the roof and fldes, will have the
beft effect in one of thefe colours, particularly
under brown. The rafters, pillars, and trails,
in the infide of ornamental hothoufes fhould
G c always
( 202 )
always be covered with exotics Many
beautiful fpecies of which are fuitablc for
this purpofe, fuch as the Pafiflora, Morin-
da, Jafmine, &c. Externally, they Ihould
be painted of a cream colour, or yellowilh
white.
CONCLUSION.
Three objects have been kept in view in
the foregoing pages :
The firft of them was to give fuch a de-
fcription of the alterations made upon
Dicksons’ and Shade’s hothoufe, as would
enable practical men, to make the lame im-
provements,
( 203 ) .
provements upon others, or to build new
hothoufes agreeable to this plan.
The fecond objed was to give a fhort trea-
tife upon the nature and effeds ot thefe
improvements, that ingenious gentlemen
might underhand the principles upon
which they operate : And,
The third objed was to fugged: improve-
ments of another kind in hothoufes, — and
thofe chiefly in the conflrudion of pine-
ries, peach-houfes, and pits.
With refped to the firfh objed the author
obferves with much pleafure, that he has
every reafon to believe, the improvements
which he has made, will become general.
In regard to the fecond and laft, he will be
happy if any thing which he has written
fhall contribute to enlarge the ideas of hot-
houfe builders and gardeners; and hence ei-
ther
( 204 )
ther diredtly or indire&ly, to the advance-
ment of the art, and the benefit of gentle-
men, who indulge in this amufing and ra-
tional luxury.
i
EXPLANATION
OF THE
PLATES .
,
• -
, -- ■ •' • : -» --- •«*- — * i - *
o
\
i
\
k
a
EXPLANATION
OF THE
P L A T E S.
\
PLATE I.
Fig. i.
London s improved Hothoufe Furnace .
.The opening in each fide, which com-
municates with the air vacuity.
b The inner furnace door— 9 inches fquare.
c Valve in the outer furnace door for
admitting cool air to be heated upon
the
( 208 )
the inner furnace door, and in the va-
cuity around the fuel-chamber, &c.
d Handle, which opens, {huts, and faftens,
both doors at once.
e e u Nobbs,” which are for the purpofe of
fixing the furnace more fecurely in ma-
fon work *
Fig,
* There is a beautiful variety through all nature,
■ythich a perfon of a contemplative mind is ever admiring.
This variety in the animal as well as in the vegetable
kingdom, is mightily fupported by contrails or pppofitions.
The meadow walk at Edinburgh, is fhadowed by a row
of {lately beeches, and though thofe trees when planted
at regular diftances are all very much of a fhape, yet each
of thefe, are fo different from one another, that a perfon
might fpend in' a moll agreeable manner, a very long
time in obferving their feveral forms and varied hues of
green. In walking along the promenade and examining
each tree, how much is the beauty of the whole heighten-
ed, when near one end of the row, there fuddenly appears
an old {battered trunk with its branches greatly fcathed,
and
( 209 )
• Fig, ii.
AJh-pit door to Loudon's Hothoufe Furnace.
a The valve.
b The handle.
c Part of the frame on which the door is
hinged, turned inwards and hooked at
the extremities in order that it may be
fixed more fecurely in the mafon work.
Fig.
i
and curtailed.- 1 have already faid that
during the time the alterations were making upon
Dickfons and Shade’s hothoufe, I had been much
amufed with variety of opinions,— by hearing the work-
men relate what fome planners and others, purpofed
as improvements. When the alterations were pro-
ven to be of importance, and had in fome mea-
fure attra£ted public attention, the author was again
amufed by reports of what fome would call a worfe
kind. But what a fund of entertainement did he
partake of, when after thefe varied efforts to Jkath or
( 210 )
Fig. hi.
G; ound plan of toe Fuel-chamber , Air-vacuity ,
and part of the Flue.
a The fuel-chamber.
b Furnace door.
c Recefs for preferving live feul.
d d Bottom of fmoke-flue.
h h Vacuity around the fuel-chamber, and
part of the flue communicating alfo
with the furnace door.
Fig.
hlajl, a “ landfcape gardener” who happened to be get-
ting fome common furnaces made, pleafed with the one
recommended and fold at the foundry, quietly copied (as
the Edinburgh Foundry people told me,) one part of it af-
ter another, until at laft he produced a furnace almoft an
exadf copy of that in the plate. This perfon affords like the.
decaying trunk, a ftrong contrail to the reft of his profef-
fion — and like it muft ftrikingly affedl the attentive ob-
ferver, or moral painter.
( 211 )
Fig. iv.
Vertical fediion of the fuel-chamber , fuppofing it
finifhef and cut through in the direction a....b ,
fig* 3-
a The afh-pit.
b Bars of the furnace grate.
c Upright rife of the flue above the recefs,
for prefervingthe live coals, fee fig. 5.
d Throat of the fmoke-flue.
e Arch over the fuel-chamber.
f Air vacuity.
g A brick feen projecting down in order to
fupport the upper arch.
h Mafs of bricks around the whole, being
part of the wall of the hothoufe, as may
be feen by the dotted line a b, in fig. 3.
D d 2 Fig.
( 2> 2 )
Fig. v.
Longitudinal feciion of the furnace , and part
of the f mole-fine, fuppofing them finifhed and
cut dozen in the direction of e...f fig. 3.
a Space betwixt the outer and inner furnace
doors, in which the hole that communi-
cates with the air vacuity is feen.
b Fuel-chamber.
c Fvecefs for live-fuel.
d Grate.
e Afh-pit.
f f Handles of furnace and afh-pit door.
i and g Vacuity for heated air under the
u recefs” and part of the fmoke-flue.
h h Smoke-flue, five bricks breadth in depth,
x Air-vacuity above the fuel-chamber.
k Contraction of this vacuity, immediately
before the air-hue commences,
/ l The air-hue.
0 0 Sole
( 213 )
0 o Sole of the furnace and flue.
p p Supports of the flue.
q Bottom of the fmoke-flue
r Covers of ditto, which ferve alfo for the
bottom of the air-flue.
f Covers of the air-flue.
Fig. vi.
Section of the fmoke-flue and air-chamher [un-
rounding it , fuppofing them flnijhed and cut
through in the direction Jhewn by the dotted
line c....d , in figures 3. and 5.
a The fmoke-flue.
b The air vacuity and flue.
The fcale fljews the form and the dimenfions
of the bricks fuppofed to be ufed in building the
furnace , flues , &c.
s Is the end of a common brick.
2 The edge of ditto.
3 The face or breadth of ditto.
4 The
( 214 )
4 The end of a common flooring or pave-
ment tyle.
5 The furface of ditto.
6 The fide and the front of a large tyle
cover, fuppofed made on purpofe for co-
vering that part of the air-flue, which
from being continued on each fide of the
fmoke-flue, is broader than the other
parts. Where the air-flue is continued
abo\e the fmoke-flue only, common
tyles, as No. 5. will anfwer.
In Scotland pavement will generally
be had as conveniently as tyle of this
flze. In England the tyle covers, will be
moft economical.
T LATE
Tx. I.
( 215 )
PLATE II.
Fig. i.
Longitudinal feciion of the fmoke and air flue
as eredled in Dickfons ' and Shade's bothoufc
floewing principally ,
A A 7 ^ he “ briggs” or partitions in the
fmoke-flue.
B B The air-flue.
a Sole of the flue, being bricks laid flat.
b Supports of the flues (being bricks fet on
edge.)
c Sole of the flue being ordinary tyle covers.
d End of the fmoke-flue being bricks on
edge.
e Cover of the fmoke-flue.
f Intended to {hew heated air coming out
of the air-flu?. Here, however it would
be
( 2,6 )
be better to fix one of the regiflers defcrib-
ed in plate VI, as they would anfw-r better
for regulating the quantity of heated air
admitted into the houfe.
Fig. ii.
Section of the j, 'moke-flue , and air-flue, fuppofing
them, cut acrofs at the dotted line in fig,
3. plate I
a The foie.
b The fupports,
c The fmoke-flue.
d The air-flue.
Fig. iii.
A flection intended to fhew the manner in
which the hriggs , or partitions , are formed in
wide flues; and alfo how the heated air may
be conducted in an earthen pipe in certain
circumjlances. See pages 34 and 35 -
a Sedion of the earthen pipe.
b Briggs
( 2I 7 )
b Brigg or partition,
c Hole under it for the fmoke to pafs
through.
d Supports of the flue.
The covers and foie of this flue are
fuppofed to be made of large brick or
flone pavement.
Fig. iv.
View of the air pump ufed in Dickfons and
Shade's hothoufe.
a The pifton or fucker, with its valve for
drawing in cool air.
d The valve for allowing this air to enter
the houfe.
f One of the fides of the pump taken off, in
order to fhew its internal ftrudure.
e Handle of the pump.
E e
Fig.
( 218 )
Fig 5.
Longitudinal fection of a broad fh allow flue ,
/ ’hewing the bejl way of conjl rubbling the
partitions .
a The brigg or partition which comes down
to the level of the foie of the flue.
b A recefs, made in order that the fmoke
may pafs under the partition.
c Air-flue.
d Pipes for conducting the heated air.
e Supports of the whole.
f /Smoke- -flue.
I
Fig. 6 .
Seclion or end oj part of a hothoufe fuppofed
to ' he altered according to the new plan, and
having the air bellows.
a The handle of the bellows.
b The tube which leads the air to the houfe.
c The
C 2I 9 )
c The termination of this tube where the
air enters the houfe.
d Section of the inner roofing.
i The wire upon which the curtains which
compofe it roll down.
f The cord by which they are fattened.
g The ufual mode of coping the walls of
hothoufes.
PLATE
E e 2
^ 220 )
PLATE III.
Fig. i.
A view of one whole curtain , and part of a
fecund mounted with rings , &c< according to
the firjl mode of fixing up the inner roofing.
a a The overlay.
b h Rings fixed to the edge of the overlay.
c c Hooks on which the rings are put when
the curtains are let down in order to keep
them clofe.
d d Cord
Tl.E.
¥
f //>
7
7)¥
J*' £/u/f A . £////>
( 22 ' )
d d Cord for pulling up and letting down,
the curtains.
e e Rod fixed to the lower end of the curtain.
f f End of the curtain to be fixed to the top
of the hothoufe.
Fig. ii.
Section or end view of a hothoufe [hewing the
appearance which this firjl kind of curtain
will have when let down.
a The curtain the rings of which are feen.
b The cord which ferves for drawing it up.
c The wire upon which it is fupported.
d The hook upon which the cord of the cur-
tain is fixed.
e Dotted lines (hewing the appearance
which the curtain will have when tucked
up, as more clearly fnewn fig. 6. plate III.
f /Back w r all coped with (lone in the ufual
manner.
( 222 )
Fig. hi.
Form of curtain fuitable for compojing an in-
ner roofing to a circular houfe.
a b c The three pieces which compofe the
curtain.
d d The overlay with the rings, EsV. as be-
fore.
e e e Jointed rods which are for the purpofe
of firetching the curtain to the proper
breadth when it is drawn up.
/'Ring at the top of curtain, to which is
fixed the cord ufed for drawing it up.
This kind of curtain being fuppofed to be
placed at the bottom of the upright glafs.
g The rings and cord for drawing down
and tucking up the curtain, which pafs
through a hole at the bottom, and not at
the top, as in fig. i .
Ftg.
( 223 )
Fig. 4.
A fection J, hewing the appearance this lajl cur-
tain will have when tucked or folded up.
a The bottom of the front glafs or front-
wall.
b The curtain folded as it remains upon the
front parapet at the bottom of the upright
elafs until it is drawn ud.
O x •
c The wire upon which it is drawn up.
e A pully, over which is put the cord ufed
to draw up and let down the curtain.
/The cord which is palled over the pully.
( 224 )
PLATE IV.
Fig. i.
A view of part of a houfe with the inner roof-
ing put up , according to the mode oj fix-
ing thg curtains upon rollers .
a a Coping of the wall.
b b Rafters of the houfe.
c Lower curtain which is firft rolled down.
d d Upper curtains which are afterwards
let down, and which overlay the others —
without the afliftance of rings, hooks,
&c. as in the firft kind.
e End curtain which is rolled outwards, & c.
f Rack pullies for letting dowui or rolling
up the curtains— fixed only at one end
of each walk
g Level
I
I
C 225 )
Fig, n.
Shews the manner in which the cord is paffecL
round the pully on the end of the roller , and
the rack fully upon the wall.
This kind of curtain ought to roll down
from above as fhewn at e , fig. 3 ; and not
from below, as in this figure.
If from the defcription in Chap. VI. Se£h
1 . and thefe two figures, this mode of fixing
the inner roofing fhould appear intricate,
which it may do to fome who are not ac-
quainted with thefe things, the author can
only refer to the model, which none can be
at a lofs to underftand.
Fig. hi.
Se&ion of a vinery fuppofed to be built according
to the propofcd plan. — A vinery of this kind
is at prefent con/lrucling at Smith’s ,
Efq: Leith Walk , under the author's direction.
A The front flue, made broad and fhallow,
fuited to this fituation.
Ff
b The
\
( 226 )
B The back flue deep and narrow agreeable
to its fltuation.
c Partition feen in this flue.
d Dotted lines fhewing where the air bellows
is placed.
e End of the curtain.
/’Rack pully.
g End of the rod of wood which is attached
to the curtain.
h Wire upon which it Aides down.
1 Trellis on which the vines are trained.
k k Upright rods of wood or iron, each being
one inch broad, and f of an inch thick, to
fupport the wire trellis, and the wire upon
which the curtain Aides ; thefe rods are fix-
ed to a ftone or board at bottom, and join-
ed together at the top. They are alfo fixed
to the rafters at the top, but this only be-
twixt each curtain, for otherways thefe
fixtures would interrupt the rolling down
of the curtain. In this way they only in-
terrupt the hooking on the overlay which
, ( 227 )
can be prevented by making a flit in it,
oppodte to the fixture.
I A final! piece of iron under each rafter
which ferves to fix the trellis and wires
to the back wall.
m Upright rafter, placed upon the front
parapet.
n The doping rafters,
o Mode of coping by lead and date, by
which are joined the roofs of the hot-
houfe and backfhed, approven of by the
author, as more ornamental and durable.
p Water fpout continued along the front of
the ouie.
q Dotted lines in the back wall, (hewing how
the chimney is carried up.
Ff 2
PLATE
( 225 )
PLATE V.
THrs PLATE AND PLATE VI. CONTAINS PLANS
AND SECTIONS OF A PINE STOVE UPON A NEW
PRINCIPLE,
Fig. i.
The ground or foundation plan of the ‘walls and
fues.
A Back wall.
B Front wall,
C End walls.
D Flues.
E Back fhed.
a Furnace.
c Termination of the fide vacuity.
h Termination of the top vacuity or air-flue.
Fig,
&.1T.
*
V
I
( 229 )
Fig. ii.
Surface plan fuppofing the houfe cut over by
the line a....b , in plate VI. fig. 2.
A and B Two pine pits.
a...b PafTage through the centre of the houfe.
D A vine introduced from behind intended
to cover the back wail. Vines may alfo
be introduced at the two front corners to
run up the fafhes.
g g Air or fleam tubes.
K K Regifters or valves for admitting heated
air either from the air-flue, or from the
large vacuity under the pit, or for pouring
in water to cover the furface of the whole
pit, or to cover the furface of the air-flue,
and thus to produce either fleam or moift
heat in abundance.
f The fltuation of holes made in the para-
pets for pouring in water to the ruble
ftone vacuity under the bed of earth, fee
fig. 2 . plate VI..
/
( 2 3 0 )
PLATE VI.
Fig. i.
Longitudinal Section of Figures i and 2 in
Plate V. according to the line a....b , fig. 2.
a Doors at the ends,
h Smoke-flue.
c Supports of ditto.
d Supports of pafiage-pavement.
e The communication of the air-flue with
the regifters, K K , in fig. 2. plate V.
/ Holes
A. F.
«/ jLcrMtvn- J3f7
jFJZt ////> , fk/tZ/P ■
( 231 )
f Holes in the wall of the pit for pouring
in water, 8tc.
g End walls.
h h Ground level.
Fig. ii.
Tranfverfe Section of fig. 2 . plate V. upon a
larger jeale.
A Pafiage through the houfe.
B Ruble hone vacuity.
C Earth in which the plants are inferted,
either in pots or otherwife.
D Air and fleam tubes.
E Curtain of the inner roofing.
F Rack-pully for ditto. Here alfo may be
fixed the hooks for faftening the cords
ufed to pull up or let down the glafs
fafhes.
F Back filed.
O A
( n 2 )
G A fpace which may be made an excellent
Mufhrom-bed.
H Vacuities around the flues.
I Air-flue.
K Smoke-flue.
L A row of bricks to preferve water over
the whole furface of this chamber, when
it is poured in for the purpofe of creating
moift heat, &c.
M Dotted lines fhewing the direction of
the fhaft or chimney.
N Dotted line fhewing the manner inVhich
the damper is placed.
0 The author’s mode of coping and roofing
hothoufes and backfheds.
P Spout for colle&ing water from the roof.
Ground level.
Fig. iii.
Is a feCtion of a fmall mafs of mafon
work, containing a circular hole in the
centre
( 2 33 )
centre, which hole contains two pipes or
tubes, one within another. The inner one
is for concluding hot air, and the outer cool
air, and the fpace without the outer one is to
preferve air ftagnated, in order that as little
heat as pollible may be loft. See a full ex-
planation, Chap. XI. Sed. 2. page 150.
Fig. iv.
Is a perfpedive view of the carron regif-
ter or valve for regulating the heated air
from the flue, which may be had at the
Edinburgh Foundry, Edinburgh, or at Mr
Dalziel’s, Cabinet-Maker, Chapel-Street,
Bedford-Row, Lpndon, along with the fur-
nace, afh-pit door, and damper.
G g
PLATE
( 2 3 4 )
PLATE VII.
PLAN AND SECTIONS OF A PIT UPON A NEW
CONSTRUCTION.
Fig. i.
Ground Plan.
a Front wall.
b Back wall.
c Flues.
d Supports of the pavement, above which is
placed the ruble Jione , and then the earth , &c.
e Furnace.
f Steps
Fn. a.
Dr/
( 235 )
f Steps to the excavation in which the fur-
nace is contained.
g g Chimneys.
h h Dotted lines ihewing the fituation of the
fmoke-flue.
Fig. ii.
Horizontal SeElion , or furface plan of this pit ,
Juppofing it ereEted and cut over by the line
a~~b, fig. 4-
A B C D The four divifions which may be
kept of four different temperatures.
e e Air and fleam tubes.
f Air regifters.
g Covers of the excavation for the fuel and
furnace, &c. partly cut over.
Fig.
( 236 )
Fig. hi.
Elevation of the Back wall ,
A Furnace and afh-pit doors.
B B Chimneys.
C Walk round the back wall of the pit.
D Holes for pouring in water, or admitting
frefh air to the ruble hone vacuity.
Fig. iv.
Tranfverfe Section of this Pit.
A Earth in which the plants are placed.
B Partition in the fmoke-flue.
C Pit for fuel, &c.
B Supports, made in this particular form, in
order to admit the free circulation of the
heated air, and to fave bricks in building.
Fig.
( 237 )
Fig. v.
Longitudinal SeSlion*
Range of fafhes.
C Spaces betwixt the fupports of the pave-
ment.
D D Flues.
E Centre divifion wall.
JF F Tubes which admit air and fleam from
the ruble done vacuity.
G A tube which admits air and fleam from
the large vacuity under the ruble ffone ?
which furrounds the flues.
Fig. vi.
Shews the Mode of fixing the wires for the
inner roofing .
Fig.
( 23B )
Fig. vii.
A Curtain fuitable for a Pit of this ConJiruElion.
a a The two poles, one of which are placed
at each end.
h b The fmall rods for ftretching out the
curtain when let down.
PLATE
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C 239 )
PLATE VIII.
GROUND AND SURFACE PLAN FOR A PEACH-
HOUSE, UPON A NEW CONSTRUCTION.
Fig. 1.
Ground Flan.
a a Foundation of the furrounding wall$.
b b Flues.
c c Termination of the fide vacuity.
d d Partitions in the fmoke-flue.
e e Supports for the columns, which co-
lumns are better ieen in fig. 2.
f f Termination
( 2 4 ° )
f f Tennination of the fmoke-flue, where
it afeends the centre column as a fhaft
or chimney.
g Furnace, and pit for fuel, Idc,
Fig. ii.
Surface Flan, or Horizontal Section.
a Columns which fupport the roof.
b The column which ferves as a fhaft or
chimney.
c c Top of the flue which ferves as a paflage
around the houfe,
d Doors.
e Section of the upright rafters, placed on
the front walls.
f Small holes to admit the heat from the
vacuity betwixt the front flue and wall.
g Dotts, fhewing the end of the wires upon
which the inner roofing Aides down.
b h Cover of the furnace, fuel, pit, i$c.
PLATE
Pl. m.
JLoutWt Vti:
I'.Za/ub Sculp .
( 241 )
PLATE IX.
Fig. i.
Longitudinal Section of the improved peach*
hoiife , which may be eafily underfiood by
comparing it zvith the line a....h , in figures
i and 2 , Plate VIII.
Fig. ii.
Tranfiverje Section of the improved peach -
houfe, upon a larger fcale than the ground
plan. See c....d, of figures i and 2, Plate
VIII
Hh a A
( 242 )
a A part of the column which ferves both
for a chimney and prop to the roof.
b The damper in this column formed in a
manner fuitable to the internal aperture,
which is circular. It is contrived fo as
to be turned round by the handle feen
at b ; in place of drawing it out in the
ufual manner.
e The furnace, around which will be feen
the air vacuities, the fmoke-flue, and
afh-pit, %£c.
d Furnace and fuel-pit, which are covered
from the view by the cover, which is
fuppofed to be level with the furface of
the ground, and painted green.
e Supports of the flue, made of confider-
able depth, in order to allow the roots of
the trees to fpread in every dire&ion,
which they could not do, if a mafs of
mafon work were introduced below the
flues and front wall.
f View
( 243 )
/ View of one of thofe fupports.
g Surrounding walls, built no higher than
the furface ol the ground. The line
acrofs the wall at g , (hews the depth of
thefe fupports.
Some may think it advifeable to have
the level of the ground, within the peach-
houfe, raifed as high as that of the open
air, in order that the roots may more eafily
penetrate from the one to the other; but
this makes no material difference.
h Upright glafs raifed upon thofe walls.
Fig. hi.
Section of both the Plan and Elevation of the
improved peach-houfe , fuppofing it finifhed
and the trees and vines full grown.
In this fe&ion it will be obferved that the
inner roofing is made according to the mode
H h 2 (hewn
( 244 )
fhewn in plate III. which will have the
belt effect in a double roofed houfe.
Fig. iv. and v.
Are Sections of the approved mode of planting
the peaches , and alfo of introducing vines in
peach-houfes. See pages 196 — 7.
Fig. vi.
Is a view of one of the flue , or front wall ) 'up-
ports , fuppofed to he made of a Jingle Jl one.
Fig. vii.
A view of one of thefe fupports formed of
bricks , in fuch a way as that the roots of
the trees may pafs through it in every direc-
tion.
N. B. The explanations of the models are feparately
printed, and are had along with them, and included in
their price.
POST.
a. ix.
( 245 )
POSTSCRIPT.
This work was begun in February la ft,
and the author, in order that gentlemen
might have an opportunity of altering their
hothoufes before the general forcing feafon, ,
had agreed with the printer and engraver
that they fliould execute their departments
in a fortnight or three weeks. A promile
which very unfortunately they have been
unable to perform.
Juft when the author had begun the
work, he was called to the weft of Scotland,
and in order to fupply the prefs with
copy, he was under the neceftity of making
the (ketches, and writing great part of the
account in the inns where he occaftonally
flopped ;
( 246 )
Hopped ; and of fending off the manufcri.pt
in detached portions to the printer. This
accounts for the hurried and carelefs man-
ner in which the whole is written; and
alfo for a number of typographical errors
which the author regrets exceedingly —
Some of thefe which materially affed the
fenfe are noticed in the errata ; but others,
fuch as thofe in page 129, lines 5 and 6,
page 163, line 15; page 158, line 8 ; page
186, foot note, &c. occur fo frequently, that
nothing can be done but intreat the rea-
der’s forgivenefs.
Here alfo the author takes an opportuni-
ty of mentioning, that though he has Hated
in page 122, that the plants in Dickfons’ and
Shade’s hothoufe after the improvements
were made, “ never fuHained the leqfl da-
mage”- — which was true at the time the
work was written — yet fome weeks ago,
owing to a fmail hole having been made in
the imoke-flue, the fmoke entered the houfe,
and
( 247 )
and almoft killed two or three of the plants
which were neareft the hole. — But this is
an accident totally unconnected with the
nature or effeCt of the improvements, and
therefore cannot injure their utility in the
leaft degree. It is only taken notice of
here, becaufe fome who are unwilling to
approve of the fcheme have endeavoured to
report otherwife, and thus to prejudife
thofe who have not an opportunity of ex-
amining Dickfons’ and Shade’s hothoufe
themfelves. The author refts fatisfied, how-
ever, that nothing of this kind will affedt the
mind of any candid reader. The plants in-
jured were completely recovered in a few
days, and continue in perfect health and
luxuriance.
The following particulars defer ve alfo to
be taken notice of in this place.
I. The author has ere&ed a vinery ac-
I i cordinsr
O
( 248 )
cording to this plan, at Smith’s, Efq.
Leith- Walk
In this cafe, it was neceffary to build
the furnace in one end of the houfe, to
preferve both it, and part of the flue,
under the ground level, and alfo to make
the flue of the broad low kind, as fliewn in
flg. 3. plate II. — to render this as clear as
poflible, models are alfo made, which gen-
tlemen may have recourfe to, Ihould they
find any difficulty in making theff work-
men comprehend the principle of thefe
fureaces, which is neceffary in fome degree
fo as they may be able to vary them agree-
ably to different fituations.
2. The author has alfo ufed his improved,
furnace , in the cafe of a hotwall at Mr
Smith’s, which he thinks will be a very
beneficial improvement. The vacuity as
in the cafe of hothoufes, is carried round the
furnace, but in place of entering an air-
flue
( 2 49 )
flue at the throat of the fmoke-fiue, it there
enters the fmoke-flue itfelf, and thus the
heated air is carried along with the fmoke,
and like it gives out its heat to the walls.
3. At Col. Duncan’s, Glenfuir, near
Falkirk, he has alfo ere&ed a pit according
to his new plan, which is anfwering the
purpofe of growing cucumbers excellently.
From this cafe, and other circumftances,
the author is induced to think, that this
kind of pit will be a great benefit to gentle-
men, by faving time, rijk, and dung.
The faving of dung, he thinks, will be
of great advantage, in two ways.
1 ft , Becaufe it is well known among far-
mers, that dung, when kept fo long as to
be rotted into a folid black mafs, (like old
peat,) as is always the cafe with that ufed
in hotbeds, cannot be applied to the foil,
with half fo much advantage as when in
an earlier flage of putrefcency.
2dh, The
C 25° )
2 dly, The dung faved from hotbeds, in
'places where peat mofs abounds, (and there
are few places where it cannot be come at,)
if formed into compofts as diredted by
Lord Meadowbank, * would produce three
times the quantity of manure, the firft
feafon in which the pits were adopted.
This large increafe of manure would pro-
duce the means of decompohng a greater
proportion of peat mofs than formerly. In
this ratio might the improvement go on,
and the confequences w~ould be of very
great advantage to many gentlemen far-
mers ; and it is prefumed, in fome degree to
the public in general.
That pits upon this principle may be
clearly underflood, either for the purpofe of
erecting larger or fmaller ones, the author
has caufed to be made a model of the one
delinated in plate VII. which clearly fhews
the
* See the Highland Society’s tranfadtions.
( 251 )
the flues, ruble flone vacuity, fleam and air
tubes, &c. and alfo the form of curtains,
and the mode of placing them fuitable for
pits or hotbeds. Owing to the additional
trouble and nicety in forming this model, it
became neceflary to charge a higher price
for it than for the others.
Thefe models are fully deferibed in the
letter prefs explanations which accompany
them.
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APPENDIX
DESCRIPTION
OP TH IB
MODELS
OF (THE
FURNACE, FLUES, INNER ROOFING,
AND NEW PIT,
SOLD BY
Dicksons and Shade, Edinburgh; and Mr Dalziel, 4 Chapel-Street,
Bedford-Row, London,
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EXPLANATIONS
OF THE
MODELS .
MODEL FIRST,
SCALE ONE FOOT TO AN INCH,
The improved furnace , fuel-chamber , fmoke
and air-flue , according to the mode adopted
in Dickfons and Shade's hothoufe; and which
is fuitable wherever the front flue may be
made four feet deep , as is frequently the cafe
in vineries , and almojl always in pine Jloves ,
made in the ordinary manner ,
The models are made of ‘Wood, and the principal
parts marked by letters. Thefe parts may
be taken off in the order in which they are
deferibed.
K k 2 A Reprefentg
( 256 )
A Reprefents the front wall: or, if the fur-
nace were placed in the back part of the
hothoufe, it would reprefent the end
wall.
B When taken off difcovers the fuel-
chamber and afh-pit — the vacuity round
the fuel-chamber, and the two holes, a a ,
which communicate with the double fur-
nace doors and that vacuity.
N. B. The furnace and afh-pit doors
could not be fhewn owing to the fmall-
nefs of the fcale. But any mafon upon
• infpeffing this model, and the furnace it-
felf, or even the views given, plate I. fig.
i. and 2. will find no difficulty in con-
ft raffing it. The furnace may be feen
either at Mr Dalziel’s, London, or at
Meffi Dicksons and Shade’s, Edinburgh,
and may be purchafed from the Edin-
burgh Foundry Company.
C The cover of the air-flue and vacuity,
which taken off, fhews the large open
fpace
( 2 57 )
fpace b b above, and near the furnace,
and alfo the three holes c c, which com-
municate with the air-flue.
D The air-flue which is always continued
along the top of the front flue from the
furnace, to the oppoflte end of the houfe,
and according to its length has three or
more regifters fixed in it, in order to re-
gulate the heated air with precision.
This improvement was not thought of
when Dicksons and Shade’s hot-houfe
was altered, and was therefore not men-
tioned in the Treadle; it has fince been
adopted in Mr Smith’s vinery, men-
tioned in page 248. The air-flue being
taken off, (hews the fmoke-flue — its
communication with the fuel-chamber
at one end, and the partition at the
other. Thefe partitions in deep flues,
fuch as thefe, are introduced every ten or
twelve feet afunder; but at a greater dif-
tance in broad fhallow flues ; (fee Def-
cription
C 258 )
\
cription of Model II.) By confining the
imoke and heat, and promoting the
draught, they are of great fervice. See
the Treatife, p. 40, -1,-2.
£ The fmoke-flue which, when taken off,
difcovers the fupports d d.
F When taken off, fhews the arch over the
fuel-chamber, and the vacuity around it.
G The arch of the fuel-chamber, which,
being taken off, fhews the grate and the
recefs for containing live-fuel.
II Being moved downwards, fhews the va-
cuity under the recefs, which communi-
cates with the air-flue.
1 May reprefent the floor of the houfe ;
But if the ground be dry, the flue, (in
pine-ftoves at leafl,) may be funk one
half or more under the floor, or it may
be even wholly funk, and the cover of
the air-flue made the paffage or walk.
Such variations will naturally prefent
themfelves to every ingenious gardener.
Model
( 259 )
MODEL SECOND.
SCALE ONE FOOT TO AN INCH.
The improved furnace , fuel-chamber , fmoke
and air-flues , according to the mode fuggefled
in plate II. by fig. 4. fuitable for the front
flues of Vineriesy Peach-houfes, &c. being
nothing more than a variation of Model I.
A May either reprefent the front or end
wall of the houfe, according to the fltua-
tion of the furnace.
B When taken off difcovers the fuel-
chamber and afh-pitj and the two holes
a a , which communicate with the double
furnace doors, and that vacuity.
C Cover of the air-vacuity.
D Pipe for conveying the heated air ufed in
place of a flue as it is cheaper in this
cafe.
d Communication
( 26o )
d Communication between the air vacuity
and air-flue.
E Smoke flue.
Partition in the fmoke flue, made as fhewn
in plate II. fig. 5 .
g g The fupports of the fmoke flue.
H When taken off fhews,
1 The arch over the fuel-chamber.
K Grate.
L Recefs for containing live-fuel.
M Being moved downwards fhews under
this recefs, and the throat of the fmoke
flue, a vacuity for heated air, which
communicates with the air-flue.
N. B. The arch over the fuel-chamber,
and the throat of the fmoke flue ought
to be built with fire bricks and fire clay ;
and in building the flues, a ftone about a
foot fquare ought to be built in the brick
work at each part, where it may be judged
moft convenient to make an opening to
cleanfe them from foot. In flues fuch as
Model
( 26 i )
Model I. this will generally be on thole
parts of the fldes which are oppolite to
the partitions. * In broad flues fuch as
Model II. they will be moftly made in
the top, by taking off one or more of the
corners. In the improved pit, Model V.
by making openings from the top, at
the corners i, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. the
whole may be cleanfed with eafe. Ropes
may be either pufhed through by rods or .
drawn by a cord, which cord may be
previoufly drawn through by a cat, as
was practifed at Dairy.
MODEL THIRD.
SCALE TWO FEET AND A HALF TO AN INCH.
The Inner -roofing according to the mode Jhewn
in plate III. and nearly as adopted in Dick-
fons and Shade'' s bothoufc , preferable in
L 1 pineries
( 2 62 )
pineries or peach-houfes , no vines are
trained immediately under the Jloping glafs.
The cord B ufed to draw up the curtain
being loofed, it is puttied down by ap-
plying a fmall hooked rod, to the crofs
piece of wood A. Often, however, their
own weight will accomplifh this purpofe,
without any thing ell'e being done than
merely loofening the cords. A cord, how-
ever, may eattly be contrived to draw
down each curtain, when it is thought ne-
ceflary.
The overlays, rings, and hooks, as men-
tioned in the Treatife, are eattly feen in
thefe curtains.
The end curtain is feen exactly as de-
tcribed in the Treatife. C is intended to
reprefent the rack pulleys for rolling it up.
A fmall rod appears, by which it is drawn
oat; and on that being done, another appears,
which is intended to ftretch the curtain to
the
( 2 63 )
the proper height. A flit is alfo feen op-
pofite the door, &c. as mentioned in the
Treatife. *
MODEL FOURTH.
SCALE TWO FEETS IX INCHES TO AN INCH.
The Inner-roofing as foewn in plate IV. fuita-
hle for vineries and all forts of hot-houfes
where fruit-trees are trained immediately
under the f oping glafs.
The end curtain is drawn out by the
fmall upright rod, feen in the model, and
rolled up by the cord at A. This cord
pafles over the pulley B , which is intended
to reprefent a rack pulley. The other par-
ticulars mentioned in the Treatife relped-
ing this curtain are eaflly feen without any
minute explanation, fuch as the flit oppo-
L 1 2 fltc
( 264- )
life the door for the operator to pafs out by
when lie has let down the inner-roofing,
and the rods for keeping the curtain ftretch-
ed to its proper height, &c.
In the diminutive bulk of a model fuch
as this, the curtains may be pufhed down
by taking hold of the fmall rods C C. But
in a real hot-houle this is intended to be
done by the rod and hook already men-
tioned in the proper place. However it
will frequently happen, that they will fall
down with their own weight, when aflifted
by turning round the rack pulley in a pro-
per direction for this purpofe.
A few wires are put in to reprefent a trel-
lis for training vines upon, merely to fhew
that they can be done in connection with
the inner-roofing. The uprights by which
are fuppprted both the trellis and the wires,
upon which the curtain Hides, are intended
to be made of wood, and joined together
at the top, as explained in the Treatife,
and
( 265 )
and fhewn in plate IV. fig. 3. but this is fo
plain that it is unneceflary to fay any thing
here refpedting it. The trellis can aifo be
fupported by props, or by a range of fmall
columns in the middle of the houfe, if
found requifite.
From the fmall fize of thefe models, the
inner-roofing appears to take up much
more room than it really does when exe-
cuted upon the proper fcale. For the fame
reafon, a greater nicety is requifite in roll-
ing it up and down. But notwithftanding
thefe difadvantages they ferve the in-
tended purpofe as completely as can rea-
fonably be expected.
Price of thefe four Models , one guinea each .
Price of the following Models three guineas.
Model
( 266 )
MODEL FIFTH.
SCALE TWO FEET SIX INCHES TO AN INCH.
A pit in which cucumbers, melons,
pines, &c. may be grown ; and rofes,
flowers, ftrawberries, afparagus, &c. forced
at the fame time, or w T hich may be wholly
devoted to one or more of thefe articles at
pleafure ; it being divided into one or more
compartments, which may be kept of the
fame, or of different temperatures ; fee
pages 178 and 234. A pit of this kind
upon a fmaller fcale, was erected at Gien-
fuir, near Falkirk, in April laft, and has
lince anfwered well.
A Excavation for containing fuel, and for
managing the furnace, IBc. This muff
be joined to the pit at a a,
B B Rafters
( 267 )
B B Rafters and coping which (in the mo-
del) are to be taken o£i : And, which
bring off with them a part of the inner-
roofing, made to fhew the kind of cur-
tains, and mode of fitting them up,
fuitable for pits and hot-beds. It alfo
brings off the chimney tops, in which at
b b , the dampers are fixed,
C C C Are the paved coverings of the large
vacuity, for heated air. Above this va-
cuity, all over the furface are fpread,
firft, ruble flones, ten or twelve inches
in depth; above them, gravel, then a
thin layer of fand; and laftly, the earth
or mould in which is placed the plants,
either in pots, or inferted in the earth,
as is done in the open air. This paved
covering may be made in the rudeft
manner ; for though their be interfaces
between the ftones, they will ferve to
admit the heated air from the vacuity,
and if the ftones be very thick, they
will
( 268 )
will preferve the heat, fo much longer
when once heated.
d d Round tubes, which are intended to be
made fquare, and to have fmall pluggs
or Hoppers fitted to them; one half of
thefe tubes communicate with the ruble
Hone vacuity, and the other half (al-
ternately) with the large vacuity below.
From both thefe vacuities, fupplies of
heated, or moiH air may be obtained at
pleafure, as mentioned in the Treatife.
e c Holes in the back wall, by which water
may be poured into the ruble Hone va-
cuity.
f f Tubes for admitting heated air from the
air-fiue, by which, in conne&ion with
the valves at the threats^ of the two
fmoke flues, the diverflties of tempera-
ture are produced.
G G Part of the back wall, which may be
taken off.
H H, &c.
( 269 )
H H y &c. Part of the two ends, and two of
the divifions which may next be removed.
I Front wall, which may be taken off.
K Covers of the air-flue, which being taken
off, fhews its length.
k Supports of the pavement coverings,
placed above all the flues.
I l Supports of the pavement coverings,
built of brick on edge, as fhewn plate IX.
fig. 7. and plate VII. fig. 4.
M M Front fmoke-flue, which taken off
brings along with it the ends m m, which
proceed from the furnace. The covers
of this flue being taken off, fhew the pro-
per mode of making the partitions as at
n n.
N N The cover of the air vacuity, which
wholly furrounds the furnace, and part
of the lmoke-flue, until it enter the air-
flue.
0 Central divifion which may be next ta-
ken off.
M m
PP Covers
( 2 7 ° )
P P Covers of the excavation to the fun-
nace, &c.
A The walls, &c. of this excavation may
now be taken off in order to (hew the
furnace.
Eeing taken off fhews the arch over the
fuel-chamber.
R This arch which taken off, fhews the
grate, the receis for live-fuel, and the
throats of the two fmoke flues which
proceed from it.
S S The beginning of the fmoke flues,
where a common furnace door, with a
handle is fixed on each throat, to ferve as
valves for regulating the admiflion of the
fmoke and heat. See p. 181,-2.
T T Ground level.
The reft of them might be taken to pieces,
and alio the fupports of the pavements ta-
ken out; but what has been already de-
fcribed is fully illuftrative of the wdiole,
and any other particular may be fully un-
dcrftood by recurring to the plan.
Though
( 2 7 ‘ )
Though this pit be recommended for
pines, cucumbers, &c. yet by avoiding to
ered any thing in this model, except the
air and fmoke flues, and by introducing a
trellis about eighteen inches from the glafs;
the quadruple compartments will make four
excellent vineries which may be brought
into fruit, at the fame number of periods.
The general principle of forming vineries in
this manner, will be found to anfwer equally
well with thole in common ufe, (as may
be feen in feveral places in England,) and
they may be executd at firft for lefs than
one half the expence.
This model will ferve in connedion with
plate VI. fig. 2. fully to elucidate the plan
recommended for growing pine-apples :
were thefe in general altered agreeably to
this plan, in mo ft cafes they would pro-
duce one third more fruit annually than
they do at prefent.
END OF THE APPENDIX.
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