THE PINE APPLE. 97 



as the plants will now begin to grow freely, they 

 must be watered at the root once in four or five 

 days ; and they may have a dewing over head, 

 from the fine rose of a watering-pot, occasionally, 

 if the weather be fine." 



In May, Nicol again shifts, but the plants are 

 not to be shaked out at this time, but are to be 

 shifted, balls entire, into pots of about six inches 

 diameter, and eight inches deep. " If the roots be 

 anywise matted at bottom, or at the sides, they 

 must be carefully singled out ; and in potting, be 

 sure that there be no cavity left between the ball 

 and the sides of the new pot. In order the more 

 effectually to prevent which, use a small, blunt- 

 pointed, somewhat wedge-shaped, stick, to trindle 

 in the mould with ; observing that it be in a dry 

 state, and be sifted fine ; and also to shake the pot 

 well, (potting on a bench or table), the better to 

 settle the earth about the ball. Pots of this size 

 should be filled to within half an inch of their 

 brims, (the balls being covered about an inch with 

 fresh earth), as the whole will settle about as much, 

 and so leave a full inch for holding water, which is 

 enough. In preparing the plants for potting, ob- 

 serve to twist off a few of the bottom leaves, as 

 they always put out fine roots from the lower part 

 of the stem. Also, before letting the plant out of 

 hand, trim off the points of any leaves that may 

 have been bruised or anywise injured in the shift- 

 ing. Replunge the pots to the brim, as before, 

 observing to keep them quite level, at the distance 



H 



