THE PINE APPLE. 107 



Pines in the second year's spring shifting, say, that 

 though, at first sight, it has an unnatural appear- 

 ance, yet, on more minute enquiry, it will be 

 found congenial to nature. In the first place, they 

 say that they only cut away the lower decaying 

 roots, and preserve all the others, unless they are 

 bruised by the shaking off the ball ; or injured by 

 disease, or otherwise. In the next place, they 

 state, that on attentively examining the Pine- 

 plant, it will be found, that, in its mode of 

 rooting, it may be classed with the strawberry, 

 vine, and crowfoot, which throw out fresh roots 

 every year, in part among, but chiefly above, the 

 old ones. This done, the old ones become torpid 

 and decay, and to cut them clear away, if it could 

 be done in all plants of this habit, would, it is said, 

 be assisting nature, and contribute to the growth 

 of the new roots. At the same time, it is to be ob- 

 served, that encouraging, in any extraordinary de- 

 gree, the production of roots, though it will ulti- 

 mately increase the vigour of the herb and fruit, 

 will retard their progress to maturity. 



Speechly has the following judicious observations 

 in allusion to those who recommend always shift- 

 ing with the balls entire. 



" First, It is observable, that the Pine-plant be- 

 gins to make its roots at the very bottom of the 

 stem, and as the plant increases in size, fresh roots 

 are produced from the stem, still higher and high- 

 er; and the bottom -roots die in proportion: so 



