220 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [ OCTOBEE, 



here that the quicker fine fruit can be produced, so much the better in a 

 marketable point of view, but the question really at issue, and the one likely, I 

 fear, to act antagonistic to the producer in the end, is : — Whether the independent 

 buyer will, for the sake of display alone, continue to purchase these fruits at a 

 high price, however much they may grace a dessert, when it is found that there 

 ia very little enjoyment to be derived from their consumption. 



Upon more than one occasion lately this question has been put to me : — 

 What makes my plate overflow with juice from the Pine-apple when cut, while 

 the flavour is so inferior to what it used to be ? And these inquiries have really 

 suggested the few remarks I am now making. The very fact that the Pine-apple 

 belongs to the much enduring order of Bromeliads, fully explains how it is that 

 it may readily be made to "fall in " with almost any mode of treatment. It is 

 capable of subsisting to a very great extent upon the amount of atmospheric support 

 the leaf-surface alone can absorb. Like the iEclmiea and its other allies, it may 

 be severed from the root, and be tossed to and fro for an indefinite period of 

 time with impunity, so absorbent and retentive is it. With these facts before us, 

 the road to the attainment of good size and perfect flavour, is made tolerably plain. 



To dispense with the subject of over-potting, or any argument relating thereto, 

 I may say at once that large pots are positively detrimental to fine fruit, as regards 

 both size and flavour. Once the suckers or crown cuttings are potted, the 

 primary thing to be attended to is the production of roots in as gi'eat a profusion 

 as possible ; which is attainable by affording a brisk bottom-heat, with but 

 moderate atmospheric heat or humidity. This is opposed to the vapoury and 

 excessive aerial warmth which some growers maintain at such a time. With the 

 plentiful roots thus obtained, and by checking somewhat the superabundance of the 

 superstructure or surface growth, a fair start may be assured, the plant being- 

 perfect in its organization. Plants which are thus self-supporting, are much 

 better and more capable of withstanding fluctuations of heat, air, sunshine, and 

 cloudy weather, than others which have been pushed on and forced to make 

 a fine surface show in an extremely high temperature, shaded constantly, and 

 often reeking with vapour, while they possess a questionable amount of roots. 



During the next stage, the plants being now in the heigh-day of their growth, I 

 would have resort to just that sort of treatment which I have hitherto condemned, 

 save in this, that more air should be given, and less shading, the plants being 

 duly prepared for this. In lieu of a faultless green surface growth, " frim," and 

 somewhat watery, this treatment would impart to the leaves a better-ripened 

 fibre, and give to them just that amount of native bronze which denotes a capacity 

 for yielding good flavour. During the actual flowering period, yet more air and 

 light may also be permitted. During the next stage, actual enlargement is to be 

 encouraged by abundant supplies of heat, moisture, light, and air, until the pre- 

 liminary ripening stage is attained, when the fullest exposure may be afforded 

 without any fear of injurious consequences to the leaf-surface, such as would be 



