MARCH. G9 



Pines, as a matter of course, are grown here in large quantities. 

 In most cases they are merely phmted out in loam, over a substantial 

 bed of warm leaves which occupy the interior of the pit, the atmo- 

 spheric heat being supplied by hot-water pipes, the upper one taking 

 the form of a shallow trough, to afford the requisite humidity. We 

 need scarcely inform our readers, that by this plan, without much 

 additional after-trouble, the finest of Pines are produced. As an 

 instance, we may mention that some fruit of the smooth Cayenne now 

 ripening, could not be much less than seven pounds, or upwards, in 

 weight, and perfect in every respect. In the larger range. Pines are 

 grown without pots, in the open soil, which is heated by hot-water 

 pipes. 



Peaches, under glass, were showing well for a crop ; in one or 

 two of the houses the fruit was fully set. The trees, having now 

 been in bearing for some years, appear to have attained that medium 

 state of growth so favourable for producing a certain crop, of the 

 finest size and quality. 



Plums were coming into bloom. The " Victoria" appears a 

 favourite with Mr. Ingram, who considers it one of the finest-looking, 

 and, when properly ripened, one of the best early Plums for forcing. 

 The " Jefferson,"' and other favourite kinds, are also largely grown 

 under glass. In one of the forcing houses was a tree of the Stanwick 

 Nectarine, about which so much has been written. Mr. Ingram 

 informed us that the fruit is very late ; and that owing to its not 

 ripening regularly besides, he considered it not to be so valuable as 

 it was at first supposed to be. 



Strawberries we found in different stages. Mr. Ingram's seed- 

 ling, the " Prince of Wales," is the kind principally relied on for the 

 main crop, assisted by the British Queen, later in the season. The 

 Prince of Wales is certainly the most valuable kind we have for 

 forcing, appearing to set a full crop under circumstances which would 

 render the older kinds liable to failure. It has, besides, the merit of 

 being a fine-looking fruit of good quality, and as an instance of its 

 productiveness, we saw a number of plants in one house which had 

 been forced the preceding season, and which were now showing 

 blooms in the same pots as strongly as the best young plants. 



French Beans are forced extensively. The seeds are inserted 

 in a piece of turf, and laid on a part of the vinery-fioor, warmed by 

 the hot- water pipes passing underneath. As they vegetate, the in- 

 side border of each vinery, as it is brought into working order, is 

 slightly broken up, and the Beans planted in rows. They grow so 

 as to bloom before the vines are in leaf sufficient to shade them ; 

 after which, the shade does not appear injurious to them; but as 

 they grow in the open soil of the borders, they continue to produce 

 abundant crops for a considerable time. By these means, every foot 

 of space is taken advantage of Avith the best results, and with the 

 least amount of expense. The kind of Bean used for forcing is 

 that known in the trade as " Wilmot's forcing Bean." 



Cucumbers appear in succession, from crops in a bearing state to 



