18 Culture of the Pine'ajyple at Versailles. 



method of cultivation in question, this cannot be considered a fault, as the 

 action of the peat earth is only to last six months, that is to say, as long as 

 the plant continues growing, after which period this earth is renewed to last 

 about as long, viz. during the period of fructification. 



Peat earth varies in its nature according to the country, but mould may 

 always be had with the same properties, by only taking the surface (3 or 4 in.) 

 of a soil that is not marshy, upon which heath grows in abundance. In the 

 kitchen-garden of the Palace of Versailles, the soil in which the pine-apples 

 grow is the common garden mould, which in this part of the country is pure 

 sand, blackened a little by the manure it has received in the course of long 

 cultivation. The pine plants succeed in this soil, which is in fact only sand 

 mixed with a little mould. They succeed better, however, in a soil of natural 

 peat. 



Shelter, and its AjjpUcation . — Four sorts of shelter are necessary for the 

 cultivation of the pine-apple. 



1st. A very slight shelter to make the offsets (ceilletons) take root, and to 

 preserve them till their growth is attended to. 



2d. A similar shelter, but rather higher, to protect these offsets during 

 growth. 



3d. A greater degree of shelter to effect the renewal of the roots of these 

 offsets which have already grown, and to preserve them till they are to be 

 set for fruiting. 



4th. A still greater degree of shelter and fire heat to force the plant to fruc- 

 tify at will. 



1st. Shelter to make the Offsets take Boot, and to preserve them till the 

 month of April, at which period their growth is attended to. 



This shelter is that usually employed by the gardeners of the viarais (market- 

 gardens), in the cultivation of the melon. It is a simple light, 1 ft. high, 

 the frame of which, without a bottom, is placed on a bed : it is formed of 

 four boards nailed to four uprights of the same height. When this frame is 

 made 12 ft. long, it has two cross bars (traverses) on the upper side to sup- 

 port the glazed panels which are placed upon it. These panels are 4^ ft. 

 high at bottom, and 4 ft. across. 



To exclude the air while the plants are being rooted in this frame, it only 

 requires to fasten moss on the ledge of the frame and on the cross bars, by 

 means of a wire fastened on the upper side by nails put in at intervals, and 

 which are driven in when the moss is placed. 



As the offsets separated from the parent live for months without completely 

 withering, though not planted, time may be allowed till a sufficient number 

 have been collected before rooting them. To prevent them from drying before 

 potting them to be finally removed to the frame, they may also be plunged in 

 the tan among the plants of the hothouse, where they will easily root. Tan 

 excites more than mould the emission of the roots of the pine-apple ; it stops 

 also the progress of decay in the stock, if it has been injured. 



The bed for rooting the offsets should have the high temperature necessary 

 for that purpose. It is covered with tan, in which the very small pots con- 

 taining the offsets are arranged. Once rooted, a moderate heat in the bed, 

 and mats, are sufficient to protect these offsets during winter. They require 

 no particular care; the chief aim being to preserve them till the month of 

 April, when they are removed to the second frame, for the express purpose of 

 attending to their growth. 



2. Shelter for the Growth of the Offsets. — The shelter used for the growth 

 of the offsets only differs from the preceding one in respect to its height, 

 which is as high again as the preceding. The frame is 2 ft. high at the back, 

 and 1 i ft. in the front. The height can be increased at pleasure, by raising 

 the frame, and introducing wisps of straw, as the plants grow and reach the 

 glass. 



When, as at the garden of Versailles, a million of plants arc to be' set, in- 

 stead of a long simple bed inteniled to be surrounded with manure (garnie 



