194 FRUITS AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS 



Stock from scarce varieties, or from those tiiat are stubborn m sending out 

 suckers, must sometimes be obtained by otiier means. The smooth-leaved 

 Cayenne is not nearly so prolific in offshoots as the Queen. Where suckers 

 are not plentiful, good plants may be propagated from the crowns taken 

 from the fruit, although these are not equal to suckers, nor will they 

 make as rapid a growth; or by gills, which are offshoots produced at the 

 base of the fruit, but these make even slower progress than crowns. 

 The two latter methods are therefore only resorted to when stock cannot 

 be produced otherwise. 



There are still other ways of propagating \cry scarce kinds. The old plant 

 may be pulled up after the fruit is cut, stripped of its foliage, placed in a shallow 

 box covered with some light material, as leaf soil and sand about an inch thick, 

 and treated to a brisk bottom heat; the dormant eyes will then start up. I 

 have seen good stock produced by this method. In general, there should be 

 little difficulty in getting a good supply of young stock at all times, as the plant 

 roots readily under favorable conditions, with plenty of heat and moisture. 

 The soil in the pot should be kept on the dry side. 



CULTURE AND FEEDING 



The Pineapple grower must absolutely know the requirements of his plants and 

 the general treatment they demand throughout the year, if he is to be succe^s- 

 ful. I have said that top and bottom heat is essential, especially during t!.e 

 Winter. This plant cannot endure "cold feet." The soil around the roots 

 should be as warm as the atmosphere of the house. The most rapid growth 

 is made from Spring until Fall and more moisture is needed at this time. The 

 temperature and watering are important. From Spring to Fall there should be 

 70° at night and 80° to 85° by day, with a moist, humid atmosphere. During 

 the Winter 5° less may be maintained. 



In the planting out system, wliich I rceoniniend, a compost should be se- 

 lected that will keep porous, and will not turn sour. Pines will not thrive in 

 a stagnant bed, for the roots will decay. When the root action is good, they 

 will take a fair amount of feeding. In preparing the compost, all the ingredi- 

 ents that are mixed in with the soil should be of a lasting nature. Blood and 

 bone are excellent for promoting a steady growth. Take about half a bushel 

 to an ordinary cartload of soil, a fairly coarse grade of bone, with a light sprink- 

 ling of wood ashes. Potash is necessary in the soil for Pines. The compost 

 should not, however, be made over-rich, for a surface dressing may be easily 

 applied after the plants get established thoroughly. 



In setting out the stock into the permanent beds, only strong, thrifty 

 young suckers should be selected, preferably such as are well established in live- 

 inch or six-inch pots. They should be set twenty-two inches apart, as they 

 want plenty of room to spread out. Firm the soil thoroughly around the young 

 plant; this will make the growth more substantial and stocky, with 

 roots that will perform their work and are nut so liable to decay as when 

 growing in a loose soil. 



