I have had but one opinion on the various systems of heating, and my preference is for hot water. I would have the old system universally abandoned, of carrying the smoke through the house in brick flues, sheet iron pipes, or earthen-ware cans, especially in private establishments. The heat from these is arid and injurious to many kinds of hard-wooded plants, such as the Camellia, Azalea, Acacia, Epacris, Erica, etc., etc. These suffer from it in severe winters. Frequently, though you may syringe, the soil in the bottom of the pots becomes as dry as dust, while the surface may be quite moist, at least those pots standing on the shelves and front tables. The heat from hot water pipes is more congenial to plants, and diffuses itself more equally throughout the house; so much so, that it is scarcely perceptible whence it proceeds. A proof of its suitableness may be found in the fact that the dew remains much longer on the leaves where hot water is employed. The sulphur and other disagreeable smells, perceptible in houses heated by the flue, are evidence of the great advantage of hot water over the old flue system.

James Eadie would not entirely discard flues, but would employ both systems in connection, by carrying the smoke channel along the house. If the flue is properly constructed, little gas can escape. The method of having the fire surrounding the pipes is dangerous, as was ascertained in the case of the Great Eastern. Saddle boilers in some cases work very well, and cannot be condemned. There is a great defect in setting Burbridge & Healy's boiler, so far as eighteen or twenty inches above the furnace, rendering much more coal necessary to raise the heat. Could see no reason why a plate of cast-iron should not take the place of brick in setting the boiler, thus connecting the rest for the boiler, with the boiler itself; apertures could be left at the sides for the escape of the fire to the sides of the boiler.

Mr. Myers, in reply to a question as to the effect of dipping the pipes below a doorway, for instance, stated that it had better be avoided, if possible; yet that under certain restrictions the boiler would act, but at a disadvantage; the higher the pipes above the boiler, the more effectual and easier the current.