THE PINE-APPLE. 29 



escape. After the heat subsides, the tan can be 

 pressed to the sides of the pots again. Of course, 

 when bottom-heat is derived from hot water, it can 

 be easily regulated without these precautionary meas- 

 ures, which apply only to fermenting materials. 



The temperature should now be carefully regulated, 

 and fire-heat applied in the evening just in time to 

 prevent the heat from sinking below 70 at 10 P.M. 

 And when the morning gives signs of a bright day, 

 the fires should be damped down the first thing, and 

 kept low all day. There is nothing more injurious 

 than to have hot pipes, and a bright sun, with a 

 maximum supply of air on. Such a state of things 

 creates currents of scorching dry air, very trying to 

 the plants, and robs the pineries too much of moisture. 

 By the middle of May the plants will be growing freely, 

 and moisture and air must be increased in proportion 

 to the progress they make. The house should be 

 damped the first thing in the morning as well as at 

 shutting-up time. And after being shut up close for 

 four or five hours, when the weather is calm and very 

 warm, a little " chink " of air should be left on all 

 night. A little more air should be put on at *7 A.M., 

 and gradually increased with the rising of the sun, till 

 at twelve o'clock there is sufficient to create a circula- 

 tion among the plants. Air should be given at the 

 back or highest part of the house or pit ; but, unless 

 when the weather is close and sultry, none should be 

 given at the front. With the increase of heat, light, 

 and air, they will make rapid progress, and conse- 

 quently more water at the root will be required, and 

 it should always be about the same temperature as 

 the bottom-heat. I have found Peruvian guano the 

 best and most convenient stimulant for mixing with 



