PINE-APPLE — FRUITING-nOUSE. 377 



tliat in the course of the winter the tender fibres be not 

 exsiccated by drought, or rotted by excessive moisture. 

 Again, it is probable that at starting there is a peculiar 

 check in the growth of the plant, which causes it to di- 

 vert the sap from the formation of leaves, and,' like 

 most other vegetables in straitened circumstances, to 

 provide the means of reproduction, by throwing out 

 flower-buds. This diversion of the sap is influenced by 

 the quantity of vigorous fibres, for it is observed that 

 when, from some accident, plants not well furnished in 

 this respect do show fruit, they bestow the greater part 

 of the sap upon the leaves. Further, it is not a mere 

 suspension of vegetation, otherwise fruit would be pro- 

 duced 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 starting. If these 

 imperfect observations be correct, it follows that start- 

 ing is a natural process, requiring certain conditions 

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

 by violent treatment, or any sudden changes in temper- 

 ature and watering. 



After the plants have shown fruit, they are never 

 shifted ; but the surfixce-soil may be removed, and re- 

 placed by a little fresh and rich compost. Yfater is sup- 

 plied from time to time as necessity requires ; but.it is 

 impossible to-give any definite rule on this subject. The 

 observant 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 ; 



