166 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



having been gradually brought down to 60 at night, and 65 by day artificially, with 

 free ventilation from that point, and the bottom heat to between 70 and 75. During 

 the next ten weeks the night temperature must not exceed 60, air being afforded 

 moderately on all favourable occasions, the atmosphere kept dry, and water only 

 given at the roots to keep them fresh. Plants that were disrooted in the spring, 

 returned to sucker pots, and afterwards transferred to the fruiting pots, will not 

 complete their growth until September, when they must be subjected to similar 

 treatment (only later) to those intended to supply fruit in May and June. 



Starting. To insure the satisfactory starting of pine plants into fruit at a given time 

 they must have well filled their pots with roots, completed sturdy growth, and had a 

 period of rest, as advised. To have ripe fruit by the beginning of June, plants of the 

 Queen should be started about the New Year, the bed in the fruiting house having 

 been prepared by adding fresh material, where the bottom heat is derived from leaves 

 or tan, to insure a steady temperature of 85 to 90, or placing in fresh plunging 

 medium where the bottom heat is supplied by hot-water pipes. Select the most 

 promising plants for starting that is, those with a stout base somewhat open or 

 without small leaves in the centre, and their pots full of healthy roots. Strip off a few 

 of the bottom leaves and supply a top-dressing of turfy loam, firmly pressed to the stems 

 and round the sides of the pots, after removing any loose surface soil, leaving sufficient 

 space for holding water. Plunge the pots perfectly level, having special regard to the 

 heat of the bed, which must not be more than 90 at the base of the pots, as the roots 

 are mainly there and at the sides. It is a safe plan to plunge partially until the bottom 

 heat declines to the proper temperature, otherwise the plants may sustain irreparable 

 injury by too much heat. The pots can be plunged deeper as the heat becomes favour- 

 able. Water will be required twice for properly moistening balls of dry soil. 



The temperature of the house should be 65 at night, 5 more by day, 75 to 80 

 with sun. Admit a little air in the early part of the day, and close early in the after- 

 noon, sprinkling the paths. The soil must be neither over-dry nor excessively wet, the 

 first condition stunting the embryo fruit, and the latter preventing the free root action 

 that is so necessary for the support of the plants. Gradually raise the temperature to 

 70 at night by the early part of February, from which time to the end of the month the 

 plants will show fruit; then when the soil is dry enough use liquid manure. During 

 March the temperature should range between 70 and 75 at night, and the moisture be 

 moderated whilst the plants are in flower, but after that atmospheric moisture should be 



