THE PINE APPLE. 119 



weather, is of service to them, and which indeed is 

 only imitating nature. 



" I say not that Pine Apple plants will not do well 

 without giving them water all over their leaves, for 

 if hot-houses be kept in a good state of temperature 

 for the growth of the Pine Apple, the great evapor- 

 ation of the tan-bed, and of the moist earth about 

 the roots of the plants, may supply the leaves suffi- 

 ciently with water, especially in houses managed in 

 the way this real practical gardener says he man- 

 ages his Pine plants ; that is, his hot-houses are 

 very close, and he admits no air at the roof, so that 

 the moist air which ascends up is thrown back 

 among the plants. I would here remark, that 

 when Pine Apple plants are watered all over their 

 leaves when in fruit, the water should not be suf- 

 fered to stand long in the heart of the crowns on 

 the fruit, which it will seldom do if the heat in the 

 house be good, but with a little care the plants may 

 be watered all over their leaves, without letting it 

 fall on the fruit, or the crowns of them. 



" He recommends that beds for the culture of 

 the Pine Apple be built of wood : excepting it be 

 oak, which is dear, other sorts of timber will not 

 last long in such a situation ; and therefore, for 

 this and other reasons, (given in Section VII. page 

 67), I think beds built of brick, in a similar way to 

 the one I invented, are preferable, and in the end 

 cheaper than those of wood. 



" With regard to the method which this gardener 

 usetli to destroy insects on Pine Apple plants, it is 



i 4 



