THE PINE APPLE. 123 



growth of fibres and integuments and parts not 

 pulpy. Mix with the whole a fortieth part soot, to 

 offend and repel worms. Incorporate the ingre- 

 dients fully ; and turn the heap two or three times 

 before using it." 



General management. " As soon as either crowns 

 or suckers are detached from the parent plant, 

 directions are given to twist off some of the leaves 

 about the base; the vacancy, thus made, at the 

 bottom of the stem, is to favour the emission of 

 roots. Pare the stump smooth ; then lay the in- 

 tended plants on a shelf in a shaded part of the 

 stove, or of the green-house, or of any dry apart- 

 ment. Let crowns and fruit off-sets lie till the part 

 that adhered to the fruit is perfectly healed ; and 

 root-suckers, in the same manner, till the part which 

 was united to the old stock is become dry and 

 firm. They will be fit to plant in five or six days. 

 As to the prolonged period for which they may re- 

 main out of culture : Pine-plants have been kept 

 six months without mould, in a moderately warm 

 dry state, and the only injury has been loss of time. 

 Crowns or suckers coming off before Michaelmas 

 should be planted without any unnecessary delay, 

 to get established before the winter* When late- 

 fruiting plants do not afford off-sets till after Mi- 

 chaelmas, it is best to keep them in a dormant state 

 during the months least favourable to artificial cul- 

 ture : therefore, as you obtain these late off-sets, 

 hang them up in the house, not too near the flues, 

 to rest till March." 



