April.] THE HOT-HOUSE. 3(35 



are likely to produce the best fruit: this is not always common to 

 the largest plants. A few of the most promising being marked, a 

 small iron rod, made with a sharp angular point, may he thrust down 

 the centre of each sucker arising therefrom, which being turned 

 two or three times around, will drill out the heart and prevent its 

 growth. Thus the plants being sufficiently supplied with water, 

 and having nothing to support but the fruit, will sometimes grow 

 amazingly large. But this method is not to be practised on too 

 many plants, as it would be attended with the entire loss of all the 

 suckers. 



Watering the Fines. 



In the West Indies, where pines grow in the greatest perfection, 

 rains are very unfrequent during the period that this fruit is com- 

 ing to maturity, but the dews are remarkably heavy; therefore it 

 is principally supplied with moisture from the latter; in imitation 

 of which, you should raise artihcial dews, in the hot-house, by 

 watering the walks and Hues frequently in dry weather. This will 

 be found extremely beneficial, not only to the pine-apple, but to all 

 other plants which are natives of similar climates; and by this 

 management they will require much less water than they other- 

 wise would. However, regular waterings, taking care to give but 

 a little at a time, just to keep the earth moderately moist, will be 

 necessary. 



Top and Bottom Heat. 



Continue to support the requisite heat in the hot-house by aid 

 of moderate evening fires, and a constant good heat in the bark-bed; 

 the fruiting plants, in particular, will require this. If the bark was 

 not turned and fresh tan added thereto, in March, it should be done 

 in the first week of this month, as there directed. But if then 

 attended to, there is no necessity for it now, as the pit will yet 

 continue to be in excellent order. 



Admitting Mr. 



Air should now be admitted in proportion to the increasing heat 

 of the season; a great deal depends on this article; for without due 

 attention to its utility and great influence on the plants, they may, 

 if deprived of a sufficiency, be soon rendered of little value. 



Every warm, sunny day, when the wind is not cold, let some of 

 the glasses or lights be opened a little way, and more in proportion 

 to the heat of the day; but this should not be done before nine or 

 ten o'clock in the morning, and they ought to be continued open 

 longer than while the air in the house keeps up to a proper degree 

 of warmth. 



Towards the end of the month you will find that a sufficiency of 

 air cannot be admitted by the upright glasses; therefore it will be 

 very necessary to have your roof lights constructed so as to slide 



