THE PINE APPLE. 75 



but, contrary to the opinion of some authors, who 

 have advised to draw the water out of the hearts of 

 plants when it falls into them in winter, I find, by 

 experience, that it does them no harm, if the heat 

 in the place where the plants be, is not too little. 

 Indeed, if plants be kept in a climate which suits 

 their nature, it is only reasonable to suppose that 

 they are possessed of properties capable of dispos- 

 ing of water which happens to fall on them by ac- 

 cident or otherwise. 



" No vegetable substance that I know of retains 

 heat so long, and of a less violent nature, than oak 

 bark after being used by tanners ; and, as the 

 vapours arising out of it are of a wholesome nature 

 to plants, it is well calculated for helping to make 

 the Pine Apple plant grow vigorously. Where 

 the Pine Apple is wished to be cultivated, and tan- 

 ner's bark cannot be procured, horse-dung well 

 prepared, by shaking and breaking it small, will do. 

 If plenty of the leaves of trees can be had, they 

 are preferable to dung. When leaves cannot be 

 collected plentifully, dung and leaves may be mixed 

 together, and used successfully ; and if it be ascer- 

 tained that a good lively heat cannot be kept in 

 the bed for want of good materials, let the heat of 

 the flues wanned by fire, or linings of dung, be 

 close or near to the pit, which will cause the heal; 

 in the bed to be more brisk and durable. 



" If it be intended to make a bed of leaves, they 

 should be collected as soon as they have all fallen 

 from the trees, and in a wet state, and thrown to- 



