456 THE HOT-HOUSE. [July. 



of this kind may be procured from Barbadoes and Montserrat; but 

 the fruit of the sugar-loaf is much to be preferred to it, and indeed 

 to any other kind yet introduced. 



There is, likewise, the Surinam, or silver-striped pine, which 

 exceeds in beauty the whole tribe of variegated plants. The leaves 

 are variously striped with a dark green and delicate white; and the 

 whole is tinged with a lively red, which produces a contrast that 

 gives the plant a gay and most beautiful appearance. Nor is there 

 less beauty in its fruit, the protuberances of which swell large, 

 and, when ripe, are variously marbled with red, green, yellow, 

 and white; which, together with the variegated crown on the top 

 of the fruit, add a singularity and elegance to the whole beyond 

 the power of description. The fruit is tolerably good, and there- 

 fore the plant is doubly worthy of cultivation. 



Many other varieties of this fruit have arisen from seed, such as 

 the black or brown Antigua, or Ripley pine, which is a very good 

 fruit. The Grenada pine, with marbled leaves and very large fruit. 

 The bog-warp pine, with broad green leaves. The smooth, long, 

 narrow leaved pine, and the Surinam pine with gold-striped leaves, 

 and some assert that there are varieties with red-fleshed fruit. 



Compost proper for Pine Plants. 



You should, in the first place, twelve months previous to the time 

 of its being wanted for use, pare oft* the sward or turf of a pasture 

 not more than two inches deep, where the soil is a strong, rich 

 loam, and carry it to some convenient place to be piled together 

 for rotting; observing to turn it over once a month at least, spread- 

 ing it so as to expose a considerable surface to the summer sun, as 

 well as to the frosts in winter; but in wet weather it will be proper 

 to gather it up into a high ridge to prevent its rich juices being 

 dissolved and carried away by water. If a quantity of sheep dung 

 could be collected fresh and mixed therewith, in the first instance, 

 it would greatly improve it. 



1. Having the above prepared and made fine with the spade, but 

 not screened; to three barrow fulls of it, add one of vegetable mould 

 of decayed oak leaves, and half a barrow full of coarse sand, ob- 

 serving, however, that if the soil, from which the turf had been 

 taken, inclined any way to sand, that should be now omitted. This 

 makes a proper compost for croivns, suckers, and young plants. 



2. To make a compost for fruiting plants use three barrows of 

 the above reduced sward, two of the vegetable mould, one of coarse 

 sand, anil one-fourth of a barrow of soot. 



The above compost should be made some months before wanted, 

 and very frequently turned during that time, that the different 

 mixtures may jjet well and uniformity incorporated. As to the 

 quantity of sand to be added, you must be governed by the nature 

 of the soil from whence the turf was taken; for too great a portion 

 of sand would be injurious, anil Mibject many of the young plants 

 to no into fruit before the proper period. 



Where oak leaves are not used in hot-houses, or for hot-beds, 



