,92 FRUITS AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS 



Bottom heat is absolutely necessary. The l^est house is a span roof running 

 either east and west or north and south, preferably the latter. The tempera- 

 ture in the Winter should range from 65° minimum to 75° to 80 maximum. 

 While the Pineapple thrives in this heat, it should not be dry or fiery. The 

 plant wants a moist, humid atmosphere, and will then make a clean, healthy 

 growth, but if the pipes are kept extremely hot, drying out the air, then we may 

 look for scale, mealy bug, and red spider, a combination not at all agreeable. 

 This difTiculty can be overcome by placing a large system of pipes in a house 

 of this kind. 



A house fifteen feet wide is sufficient, with a good supply both of bottom 

 and top heat. The hot water system is the best, running the pipes under the 

 beds in hollow channels. Have the tile or slate over these pipes about one 

 inch apart, so that the heat may work through; then put six inches of drainage 

 before the soil is added, with about one foot of soil above this. These direc- 

 tions apply to the planting out in the bed, which is the most successful mode of 

 culture, and by which the plants make a stronger and much quicker growth. 

 It will take considerable space to accommodate a number of plants, for they 

 are strong growers and need plenty of room. If much space is to be devoted to 

 this culture, it is better to have two or three compartments, bringing the fruit 

 along in rotation. Then as each crop begins to ripen it can be treated according 

 to its special requirements. These include a drier atmosphere and considerable 

 more dryness at the roots. I will explain both the bed and the pot systems. 



The first consideration is proper soil. Heavy soil is not good. While the 

 plants will make headway for a time, the effects of improper soil will begin 

 to show toward the Winter, for the roots are liable to decay. The soil should 

 be of an open nature, that can be thoroughly firmed around the plants and yet 

 remain porous. I have found it at times almost impossible to procure just 

 the right kind. If not naturally porous it must be made so. I have seen good 

 results obtained with a mixture of loam and coal ashes, using enough of the 

 latter to keep the soil open. Charcoal, coarse sand and leaf mold are also good 

 and will insure perfect drainage. Very fine fruit has been grown in a sandy 

 loam — but improved with fibrous sod land used in a rough state. The Pine- 

 apple will stand a rich compost, and this must be applied if extra large fruit 

 is desired. Ammoniacal manures have been successfully used, especially for 

 a luxurious growth. Peruvian guano, used occasionally in an evaporating 

 pan, will create a certain amount of ammonia in the atmosphere, which is taken 

 up by the foliage, imparting new vigor to it. 



PROPAGATION 



The Pineapple may be easily propagated, and there are different methods 

 of doing this. The most general and satisfactory way of increasing stock is 

 by the use of suckers, that is, young shoots which come away from the base 

 of the parent plant. Some varieties reproduce more stock than others. The 

 Queen Pine usually puts forth a great number of suckers, which may be removed 

 at any time for propagating purposes, although if left until quite strong, quicker 

 progress will be made by the young stock to follow. Suckers for future planting 



