PEOCEEDINGS. 



This experiment, which fully demonstrates the possibility 

 of ripening the Pine Apple in the open air during our sum- 

 mer, was conducted in the following manner. In May last, 

 Mr. Barnes having some plants ready, although the weather 

 was unfavourable, opened a trench, casting the earth right 

 and left, so as to form a bank on each side, which he ima- 

 gined would afford some shelter from cold winds ; in the 

 bottom of the trench he placed bricks in threes, in the form 

 of a triangle, so as to make a dry bottom for the plants to 

 stand on, and at the same time to secure a ready passage 

 for air and water. The plants having been placed on the 

 bricks, were packed to the rims of the pots in tree-leaves, 

 which had been used during the winter in and about hot- 

 beds. This being done, the whole surface, banks and all, 

 was covered with charred hay or grass, which Mr. Barnes 

 considered the best material for absorbing heat, retaining 

 it, and giving it oif gradually ; in which expectation he was 

 not deceived ; for, although the weather proved cold at 

 intervals, stormy and windy, frosty mornings, and many 

 dark sunless days, little or no injury was sustained, and 

 when the sun did appear the fruit made great progress ; at 

 the same time the suckers which sprung up grew vigor- 

 ously, and Avere most healthy. The plants employed had 

 never been subjected to fire-heat at any time. They were 

 turned out after they had blossomed. 



" The fruits exhibited," says Mr. Barnes, " I do not re- 

 gard as anything extraordinaiy ; but they are tolerably 

 good fruit, considering the conditions under which they 

 were grown, having been exposed in the open air since 

 early in May last, as above described, — a plan on which I 

 hope in future, should I be spared, to make considerable 

 improvement. A few of the fruit, like one of the specimens 

 sent, were a little deficient at their summits, owing to their 

 not having quite finished blossoming before they were turned 

 out. The weather, as has been already mentioned, having 

 taken an unfavourable turn, being very stormy, with drench- 

 ing cold rains, and some sharp morning frosts, entirely de- 

 stroyed the little bottom-heat which I liad provided, and, 

 in my opinion, caused the little defect just alluded to. 

 The points of some of the leaves, too, after the sun set in 

 hot, became browned, particularly the Jamaicas, but they 

 recovered their colour as the weather became kind ; and 

 their suckers, which have been grown entirely in the open 

 air, have continued as green as leeks, and as thick and 

 fleshy as aloes. 



" 1 have long advocated," continues Mr. Barnes, " an 



