PINE PLANTS. 147 



they may be laid open in the hothouse for six 

 or eight days, or more, to harden them before 

 being planted ; and although destitute of roots, 

 they, when planted and plunged in the bark 

 bed, will soon form roots and grow. I may here 

 observe, that the crowns and suckers may be 

 preserved in summer, or in the autumn, or at 

 any season when the fruit is ripe, or the suckers 

 is in a fit state to be removed ; and I should 

 recommend to get as many crowns returned as 

 can be obtained, as they generally grow stocky, 

 strong, and produce fine fruit ; and also the 

 largest and strongest suckers should be selected ; 

 and when the suckers on the lower part of the 

 stem are allowed to remain after the fruit is 

 gathered, as before directed, for the purpose of 

 gaining strength, some of the old leaves may be 

 cut or pulled off the stem, to give the suckers 

 room to swell, but at all times, when the suckers 

 appear about eight or ten inches long or more, 

 particularly when they appear brownish at the 

 bottom, with small tuberances, from which the 

 roots are emitted, they are in a fit and proper 

 state to be removed for planting ; being careful 



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