THE PINE APPLE. 93 



of fruiting, they should not be taken into the 

 stock, unless in a case of necessity. 



" Some think it necessary to dry, or win, all 

 crowns and suckers before potting them, and for 

 that purpose lay them on the shelves, &c. of the 

 stove for a week or ten days. By this treatment, 

 they certainly may be hurt, but cannot be im- 

 proved, provided they have been fully matured 

 before being taken from off the fruit or stocks, and 

 that these have previously had no water for about 

 ten days. They will succeed as well, if planted 

 the hour they are taken off, as if treated in any 

 other way whatever ; and I only advise their being 

 laid aside as above, as being a matter of conveni- 

 ency." 



In preparing the suckers and unstruck crowns 

 for potting, he twists off a few of^the bottom leaves, 

 'and pares the end of the stump smooth with the 

 knife. " Then fill pots of about three or four inches 

 diameter, and five or six inches deep, (the less for 

 the least, and the large for the largest plants), 

 with very fine, light earth, or with entire vegetable 

 mould of tree leaves, quite to the brim ; previously 

 placing an inch of clean gravel in the bottom of 

 each, and observing to lay in the mould loosely. 

 Thrust the large suckers down to within two inches 

 of the gravel, and the small ones and crowns, two 

 inches into the mould; firming them with the 

 thumbs, and dressing off the mould, half an inch 

 below the margin of the pots. Then plunge them 

 into the bark-bed, quite down to, or rather below 





