PINE- APPLE FRUITING-HOUSE. 359 



Further, it is not a mere suspension of vegetation, other- 

 wise fruit would be produced by every plant which has had 

 the roots cut from it in the manner noticed above. 

 Lastly, it is probable that the proper check consists in a 

 transition from growth, however slight, to a temporary 

 suspension of vegetation, which again is followed by a 

 copious flow of the sap, circumstances which, as might be 

 easily shown, occur both in the winter and summer start- 

 ing. If these imperfect observations be correct, it follows 

 that starting is a natural process, requiring certain condi- 

 tions in the state of the plant, and therefore not to be 

 forced by violent treatment, or any sudden changes in tem- 

 perature and watering. 



After the plants have shown fruit, they are never 

 shifted ; but the surface-soil may be removed, and replaced 

 by a little fresh and rich compost. Water is supplied 

 from time to time as necessity requires ; but it is impossi- 

 ble to give any definite rule on this subject. The observ- 

 ant gardener will soon, from experience, discover the proper 

 measure. Water should never be given in a colder state 

 than the average temperature of the house ; when, there- 

 fore, there is no tank within the house, the watering-pots 

 should be filled, and left in the house for some time before 

 the water be applied. Fire-heat is kept up either contin- 

 uously or at intervals, during the greater part of* the sea- 

 son. It should always be moderate, never exceeding, by 

 itself, 70. During sunshine, the temperature may range 

 from 70 to 100. The greater proportion there is of sun- 

 heat the better. Whilst the fruit is swelling, care must 

 be taken to carry on the growth of the plant with equabil- 

 ity and moderation. Violent checks are pernicious ; they 

 debilitate the stalk, and cause a stringiness in the fruit. 

 As the fruit approaches maturity, water is gradually with- 



