448 THE HOT-HOUSE. [JULY! 



cause them to decay much sooner, and make room for the 

 roots to be produced with the greater ease. 



The crowns will require but very little water, till they have taken 

 root, and are in a growing state ; when, it may be administered 

 more freely, but always with a sparing hand. 



Raising the Pine by Suckers. 



As the fruit of the Pine-apple is the principal object, and sole 

 reward of the great expence attendant on its management, few per- 

 sons choose to permit the suckers to remain on the plants till they 

 grow very large, as they would injure the fruit, and prevent its 

 sweelling ; they are, therefore, generally stopped in growth, or 

 taken off, as soon as it can be done with safety ; but when a stock 

 of plants is the object, the additional advantage which might be 

 gained in the fruit is given up, or at least of as many as will pro- 

 duce the number of suckers required, in order to encourage their 

 growth, and are permitted to remain on the old stocks, or plants, 

 even for some time after the fruit is cut. In this situation the 

 suckers will grow very large, provided the stools are plentifully 

 supplied with water. 



The suckers should not be taken from the plants, till they are 

 grown to the length of about twelve inches, when their bottoms 

 will be hard, woody, and foil of round knobs, which are the rudi- 

 ments of the roots. 



In taking off each sucker, move it two or three times backward 

 and forward, in a side-way direction, and it will come out with its 

 bottom entire, which should be cut smooth aud deprived of any rag - 

 g-edness. 



Place these in a shady part of the riot-house, for two or three 

 days, and then plant them in small sized pots, just so deep as to 

 keep them fast in the earth; after which they are to be treated as 

 directed for the crowns. The proper size of the pots to plant full- 

 grown crowns and suckers in, is six inches diameter in top, and five 

 and a half deep. 



Care of th e Fruiting Pines. 



The Fruiting-Pines must now have abundance of air, which adds 

 much to the flavour of the fruit ; but though the heat of the day 

 at this season, is very intense, yet, when north-westerly winds 

 prevail, the nights sometimes happen, though not frequently, to be 

 rather cold for the fruiting-plants ; in which case, it may be prudent 

 to close the lights at night, taking care to slide them open early 

 in the morning ; this, however, must be governed by circumstan- 

 ces, and by the heat of the bark-pit, which, if any way brisk, will 

 render it the more necessary to give plenty of air at all times. 



As the Pine-apples come to maturity, care should be taken to 

 cut them off when in due perfection, and before they become too 

 ripe; generally cutting them in a morning, each, with several in- 

 ches of the stalk, and with the crown of leaves at top, till served 

 to the table. 



