86 BRITISH MODES OF CULTIVATING 



was determined to destroy the whole of the insects 

 in the house, whether on the plants, or in the tan, 

 or in any part of the house ; and this I certainly did 

 accomplish effectually. Thus, by this easy, and not 

 unnatural, mode of management, the plants became 

 perfectly free of insects ; they were perfectly cleans- 

 ed of all filth ; they grew vigorously ; and the fruit 

 swelled fine to a good size. After this I had seve- 

 ral times Pine Apple plants from abroad, and out 

 of hot-houses at home, full of insects, which, by the 

 means that I have, without reserve, described, I 

 effectually destroyed, and made the plants grow 

 very fast indeed." 



" If Pine Apple plants be kept in a strong vigor- 

 ous growing state by giving them plenty of heat, 

 and water applied occasionally all over their leaves, 

 whether they be in frames heated with dung, or in 

 hot-houses heated by a fire, a few insects will do 

 them little hurt. But if the methods which I have 

 given for cultivating the Pine Apple plant be 

 adopted, I am persuaded all sorts of injurious in- 

 sects natural to these sorts of plants will disappear 

 on them. 



" When we see human creatures lean in body for 

 want of a sufficiency of wholesome food, or, for want 

 of cleanliness, lice and fleas breed upon them ; and 

 poverty in cattle for want of food has the same 

 effect on them. Similar causes in vegetables has a 

 similar effect, so that when Pine Apple plants are 

 in a state of poverty, for want of a sufficiency of 

 good earth, or of heat, or of water, insects natural 



