422 



CULTURE OF THE PINE- APPLE. 



ments or houses for the growing and fruiting-plants. Many forward 

 all the former in pits and only use houses for the fruiting-pines. 

 Small houses or close pits are certainly best adapted for the rapid 

 strong growth of the young stock. Fig. 339 shows the section of a pit 

 very generally used for the growth of succession-plants, as well as the 

 fruiting of pines. It is the same as those so successfully used at Oakhill 

 many years ago. But any common pit about seven feet deep and six 

 to nine feet wide will grow pines. . If the tank system or hot- water pipes 



Fig. 340, 



Large lean-to fruiting pine-house. 



a, a, Bed for planting or plunging the fruiting-plants in. b, Shelf for strawberries. 

 C, c, Vapour troughs. d t d, Pipes for bottom-heating. 



Fig. 341. 



Section of large span-roof fruiting pine- house. 



a, Bed in which the fruiting-plants are either planted out or grown 

 in pots, b, Caithness pavement forming bottom of bed. c, c, 

 Shelves for French beans or pot- vines, d, d } Vapour troughs. 



are used for bottom heat, a less depth will be needed. A clear space 

 of from three to four feet should be left from the surface of the 

 plunging material to the glass. For fruiting-houses this distance must 

 be greater, and may be regulated by the size of the plants. 



