THE PINE APPLE. 91 



them as will prevent them from being blown abroad 

 by the wind. In this state let them lie till May, 

 and then turn them over and mix them well. They 

 will be rendered into mould fit for use by the next 

 spring ; but from bits of sticks, &c. being among 

 them, they will require to be sifted before using. 

 Strong brown loam is the next article. This should 

 consist of the sward of a pasture, if possible ; which 

 should, previous to using, be well reduced, by ex- 

 posing it a whole year to the action of the weather. 

 Pigeon-dung, also, that has lain at least two whole 

 years in an heap, has been frequently turned, and 

 well exposed to the weather, is to be used. Like- 

 wise shell-marl. And, lastly, sea or river gravel, 

 which should he sifted, and kept in a dry place ; 

 such part of it as is at>out the size of marrowfat peas 

 is to be used. This is the proportion : for crowns 

 and suckers, entire vegetable mould, with a little 

 gravel at bottom, to strike in ; afterwards, three- 

 fourths vegetable mould, and one-fourth loam, 

 mixed with about a twentieth part gravel, and two 

 inches entire gravel at bottom, till about a year old. 

 For year-olds, and till shifted into fruiting-pots, 

 one-half vegetable mould, one-half loam ; to which 

 add a twentieth part gravel, and as much shell- 

 marl, with three inches clean gravel at bottom. 

 For fruiting-plants, one-half loam, a fourth part 

 vegetable mould, and a fourth part pigeon-dung ; 

 to which add marl and gravel as above, and lay 

 three or four inches of clean gravel at bottom. The 

 above compositions are what I formerly used for 

 Pine-plants with much success ; and are what may 





