,c,8 FRUITS AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS 



good purpose; chemicals, also, are effective and keep the beds in an open, porous 

 condition. Ammoniated manures and potash promote the healthy growth of 

 Pines. Ichthemic guano, in the proportion of one part of guano to ten of soil, 

 may be applied as a light dressing whenever the plants are in need of water, 

 for it is best to water this in as soon as put on. Clay's manure, however, is 

 best adapted for using in the water, a small handful to a three-gallon can of 

 water. 



AIRING 



Proper airing requires good judgment. Carelessness here will destroy 

 otherwise good work, particularly in the Spring, when we have sharp, cutting 

 winds. At this time no more air should be admitted than is really necessary. 

 There are two points to be borne in mind here: in the first place, if so much air 

 is admitted as to lower the temperature suddenly, it would cause a severe check; 

 and in the second place, it would cause too dry an atmosphere, which would 

 not be agreeable to these hothouse plants. The best plan to follow is to admit 

 a crack of air when the temperature registers 78° or 80°; then allow it grad- 

 ually to climb up to 85° with sun, adding a trifle more air if necessary. Keep 

 the house in a fairly steady condition, with plenty of moisture all through the 

 growing season, or until the fruit begins to ripen, when a drier atmosphere should 

 be maintained, with less water at the roots. This will cause a much richer 

 flavor. The perfume of the Pineapple as it begins to ripen is very pleasant. 

 As the fruit gets colored it may be cut, and it is improved by being hung up 

 in the house for a day or two before using; it will then be thoroughly softened 

 and may be eaten with a spoon. It will be found full of rich juice, with an 

 exquisite flavor, which must be tasted to be appreciated. 



Stock for replanting should not be lost sight of. Much time may be saved 

 by having good, thrifty young suckers in six-inch pots ready to replant whenever 

 the old plants are discarded. Then it will take only a day or two to put in new 

 soil, allowing a day more for it to warm up before setting in the new plants. 



A grower following the methods herein described may be reasonably sure 

 of success, for we have an ideal climate for the culture of Pines, and all they 

 need at our hands is care and good treatment. 



POT SYSTEM 



More Pines have probably been cultivated under the pot system in former 

 years than in any other way. I gained my first experience with them in this 

 way and with the same climatic conditions under which I was working then, 

 I should prefer it. Climate of any kind certainly has a wonderful influence upon 

 plant life, even though it be under a glass roof. I do not gainsay the advisa- 

 bility of confining the Pineapple plants to pots in a moist, moderate climate 

 like that of England, where at times very little fire heat is needed, especially 

 in the south, and where there is much more moisture in the atmosphere, as 

 compared with the American climate. What applies to one climate may there- 

 fore not be suitable to another, and while I shall indicate the methods of pot 



