THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 139 



charming objects- Always, from, the beginning of March, and this 

 year from early in February, the decided yellow buds of this sweet 

 tree have been prominent objects, and they are now (March 4th) 

 in nearly full leaf, and so conspicuous, that they have been seen a 

 quarter of a mile off. What Jasminum nudiflorum is in the winter 

 months, the balsam poplar is in early spring. The early yellow 

 leaves are, by those who do not know the tree, taken for inflorescence ; 

 indeed, I am often asked what those early-flowering trees are. 

 When backed by the naked masses of leafless trees, this tree, at this 

 early season, is seen to peculiar advantage. Towards the end of 

 April, when other trees are beginning to put on their green, the 

 balsam poplar loses its golden tinge, and assumes the colour of 

 ordinary trees. Why is this tree not more frequently planted, in a 

 general way, as an ornamental tree ? It is of a tine habit, branching 

 from the base, somewhat after the habit of the Lombardy poplar, 

 but of very humble growth, flourishing anywhere ; quite a town 

 tree, as I believe it will stand any amount of smoke, and a most 

 rapid grower ; and I really wonder what the poets have been doing, 

 that this very beautiful tree has not been immortalized in at least a 

 couple of dozen sonnets. There is a great deal of beauty lying 

 asleep, waiting to be aroused, and made subservient to the embel- 

 lishment of woodland scenery. 



THE CULTIVATION OF THE PINEAPPLE. 

 Ik Two Chapters. — No. II. 



BY JAMES BARNES, 

 Head Gardener to Lady Rolle, Bicton. 



|N some gardens it is of the utmost importance to secure 

 a succession of fruit ; in others, a glut during the sum- 

 mer is a matter of the highest importance. The culti- 

 vator must regulate his practice in accordance with the 

 demands of the dessert, and if summer-fruit only are 

 wanted, a lot of Queens will be sufficient to supply it, and there is 

 nothing to beat the Queen for summer use and for certainty of 

 profit if it is fairly treated. At many places, especially where there 

 is a family resident throughout the winter, a succession must be 

 kept up, and it will require, on the part of the cultivator, very much 

 more skill and forethought than merely fruiting a lot of Queens in 

 summer and autumn : moreover, it is advisable to have several sorts 

 of pines in the case of having to keep up the supply the whole year 

 round, both for the sake of variety, and also because such kinds as 

 Black Jamaica and Smooth Cayenne quite surpass the Queen for 

 winter fruit. 



To make sure of a succession, you must be always potting-up 

 suckers. The reason for this is, that every pine plant, to be pro- 

 perly fruited, must have a certain length of time for free growth ; 



