1 64 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



5-inch pots, or that are not satisfactory for transferring to the fruiting pots, should be 

 shaken out, have the roots trimmed a little, and be placed in 7 -inch pots, treating 

 them similar to suckers, and shifting them into the fruiting pots in the course of six 

 or eight weeks. These will form a good succession to the others. One shift is all that 

 is necessary for the pine plant, as a rule, from its sucker state to ripening the fruit. 



In preparing the plant for potting, a few of the lower leaves should be stripped off, 

 as high up as brown roots are protruding from the stem, the crocks taken from the 

 bottom part of the ball, all loose soil on the surface removed, the sides loosened, and 

 the roots disentangled without breaking the ball. The plant when placed in the pot 

 should be 2 or 3 inches deeper than it was before, and the soil can hardly be made too 

 firm when it is in proper condition. 



Plunge the pots in a warm bed, temperature 85, and keep the house rather close and 

 the atmosphere moist, until the roots are working freely in the fresh soil. A tempera- 

 ture of 60 to 65 at night is sufficient for March, admitting air at 70 in the daytime, 

 not seeking growth until the days are longer, and the soil is well permeated by roots. 

 Give water only when the soil becomes dry, examining it occasionally, and erring, if 

 at all, by sparing rather than by over-watering. Supply water only to the plants 

 really needing it, then moisten the soil through to the drainage. This rule applies 

 to watering pine plants in all stages of growth. 



By the end of April the night temperature should be raised to 70, and the plants 

 pushed forward under the influence of the increased light. Air must be admitted 

 soon after the sun reaches the house in the morning, and the amount regulated through 

 the day to maintain the temperature at 85 or more from sun heat, closing early 

 so as to retain the maximum some time, damping the walls and paths with the syringe. 

 The evaporation troughs may also be filled every day with a solution of guano, 1 pound 

 to 20 gallons of water. Where evaporation troughs are not used the floors should 

 be sprinkled in the morning and evening. A light dewing over the plants may be 

 given on the afternoons of very hot days, but excessive syringings induce soft, unfruitful 

 growth. 



The bottom heat should be ascertained by a plunging thermometer with the 

 " bulb " as deeply in the fermenting material as the base of the pots, and it should 

 indicate a steady temperature of 85 to 90. If the heat is too high raise the pots, or 

 shake them from side to side for the escape of surplus heat. When the heat declines 

 the tan can be pressed to the sides of the pots. When the temperature is too Iowa 



