78 BRITISH MODES OF CULTIVATING 



its full height, and then shift the plants into larger 

 pots, in the manner before 'directed, disturbing the 

 roots of the plants as little as can be helped. After 

 the plants are shifted, they must not get much 

 water till the fresh growth of the roots has some- 

 what exhausted the moisture of the fresh earth put 

 round them. Of two evils, it is better to give the 

 plants too little water than too much. But let it 

 be remembered, that while the fruit is in blossom, 

 and for some days afterwards, the plants should not 

 be watered all over their leaves, neither should the 

 plants be watered all over their leaves nor fruit, 

 after the fruit is fully swelled, nor should the earth 

 in which their roots are, be, after that time, kept very 

 moist, for they do not require it, because the plant 

 has nearly performed its office, which it never has 

 to do a second time it dies and leaves its offspring 

 to succeed it. 



" Although the Pine Apple plant is of such a na- 

 ture that it will live upwards of six months without 

 earth or water, yet to bring its fruit to perfection, 

 a plentiful supply of both these is required. From 

 the time that the plants are set in earth till they 

 perfect their fruit, it should be endeavoured to keep 

 them constantly in a clean healthy growing state ; 

 and when they be thus managed, they will not fail 

 to show fruit when they be grown to a natural size. 

 For these reasons, I would advise that no methods 

 contrary to nature, but methods to assist, be used 

 to make them fruit at certain periods. If Pine 

 Apple plants be planted in rich earth, and get a 



