B R O 



B R O 



that were onlv in flower considerably exceeded, 

 ai»v i)t the others of their own forwardness at 

 tlic time of shifting. Hcing encouraged by 

 this success, the author treated his whole stock 

 of fniitine plants in the same manner the fol- 

 lowing season, and thi y were kept back to a 

 belter season, and swelied their fruit to as good 

 a size as those that showed in I'ebruary. 



Towar(is the beginning or middle of May, 

 the bark-beds should bc'again trenched to the 

 bouom, a tenth part of new lan added, and 

 the plants replungcd in the lieds in the same 

 manner as in the preceding cases, nothing fur- 

 llier being neccssar)". 



Though it is i>ot possible to apply the heat 

 ConstanHv with that degree of exactness that 

 has been rcconmicnded, it is of great import- 

 ance to approach it as much as can be conve- 

 niently dene ; which, by proper attention to the 

 thermometers employed for the purpose, may 

 in a great meajure be accomplished, especially 

 where the person who manages the fires has 

 likewise the command of the house, which 

 should always be the case. 



Several sorts of fuel are employed ; biit coal 

 or coal cinders make the most regular and du- 

 rable fires, where they can be obtained. Ground 

 peat and turf may also be employed where the 

 fire-places are properly constructed for the pur- 

 pose. See Hothouse. 



In order to preserve a due temperature when 

 the winter season proves very severe, occasional 

 coverings may be necessary to be applied over 

 the glass frames of the houses in the manner 

 that has been already recommended. 



With rccard to the admission of air^ the 

 author of the Scotch Forcing Gardener recom- 

 mends verv large portions to tlie fruiting-housc 

 while the fruit is ripening ; it is, as he thinks, 

 not only essential to the flavouring of it, but 

 highly conducive to the ripening and hardening 

 of the suckers, which is also a point of import- 

 ance. 



It is advised that in wirier, even frosty air 

 should be admitted in a moderate degree at the 

 top of the house; and in fresh weather, at this 

 season, to the extent that the thermometer 

 may not be more than 5 degnes above the fire 

 heat medium, being eontimied till the middle of 

 Mareli ; after which, and for the whole season, 

 not more than 10 degrees. It is observed 

 that in winter fires are frequently made in the 

 morning, solely for the purpfise of admitting 

 air, and at the same lime keeping up the tempe- 

 rature of the house ; and tliat " although the 

 pine from its nature docs not appear to quickly 

 feel the effects of liad management, there are 

 few plants in reality do it more so ;. and loo due 

 4 



an attention to the temperature of the house, 

 especially in winter, cannot be paid, the want of 

 which is sure to throw the plants into fruit at an 

 untimely season." 



Though it is the practice of some to shade 

 their plants from the sun, the above author sup- 

 poses they caii never have too mueh of its in- 

 fluence. 



In respect to the application of water in the 

 culture of these plants, it is advised to be givi:n 

 ven,' sparingly in dull weather, particularly in the 

 winter season. Kroin about the beginning of 

 October to the first or middle of March, once 

 in eight or ten days is generally suflicient, in a 

 small proportion; but from March to October, 

 plentiiul waterings are requisite in considerable 

 quantities at a time, mostly once in three or 

 four days. Watering much over head in winter 

 is not advised, except in clear weather. But, 

 in the summer months it is recommended as a 

 good practice, to first give the quantity requisite 

 to the root, from the spout of the -.valering- 

 pan ; and then a sufficient quantity to wet every 

 part of the leaves from the rose. The reason 

 of which is, that ditVerenl kinds of pines are 

 found to require very different quantities of 

 water : " the Queen requiring a third more 

 than the King, Antigua, or Brown Sugar Loaf; 

 and the Monrserrat and Green or Striped Sugar 

 Lx)af, a medium between the two," with " plants 

 in an equal state of health and size." 



With llie fruiting plants, very large quan- 

 tities are required from the time they are out of 

 flower till thev begin to colour; but which 

 should then be gradually withheld, and, towards 

 their maturity, totally; as this increases the 

 flavour of the' fruit, ai'id perfects the ripening of 

 the suckers. 



Soft water well inipreenated with air should 

 he used at all times, which should be applied 

 either about eight o'clock in the morning, or 

 from four to fi\e in the afternoon. 



Steaminc is considered by Mr. Nicol as not 

 or.lv useless to the hcaltli of the pirn.-, but in hazy, 

 dull weather in winter prejudicial; of course, 

 w hen there are grapes jn the stove, it should be 

 regulatexl so as to suit them. 



In the watering of these plants, a tin pipe is 

 reeommeiidtd as useful and convenient, for the 

 more ready conducting the water, in tlie quan- 

 tity intended, to any particular i.lant in any 

 part of the bark -beds. It should l)e about six 

 feet long, an inch and half in diameter at 

 the nppcT end, and at the other about half an 

 inch, and be formed of two or three separate 

 pieces, to lengthen or shorten .at pleasure: at 

 the lariTCst end", a kind of funnel should either 

 be fi.xed, or so contrived as to take oflf and on 



