AUG.] PINE-APPLES. 415 



the bark will then have risen, and as they will just 

 be pushing fibres, they must have a moderate quan- 

 tity at root, once in three or four days, but none 

 over the tops till a little better established, and the 

 heart-leaves have begun to grow, lest these might 

 damp off. Afterwards, water freely at root, and 

 also give a dewing over the leaves, as they advance 

 in growth, and may seem to demand it, in the man- 

 ner often already spoken of. 



With respect to air, it need not be very freely 

 admitted, till the heat begin to rise in the bark-bed, 

 but must then, and as the plants take on a growth, 

 be given in larger portions ; and, in sunshine, so as 

 to keep down the mercury or spirits in the thermo- 

 meter, to about 85, or 80. 



Of destroying Insects on Pine- Apple plants. 



I have not hitherto spoken of the insects that ari- 

 noy pine-apple plants, being hopeful, that, if the 

 directions given in the former months have been 

 followed, none will now be found that will mate- 

 rially injure them. The truth is, that if the plants, 

 by proper culture, be kept healthy and vigorous, 

 insects will not annoy, but leave them. This fact I 

 have repeatedly proved, both with respect to the 

 pine, and to other plants that are liable to be affect- 

 ed with the coccus, (the only insect that materially 

 injures the pine,) which seem to delight in disease 

 and decay, as flies do in carrion. 



I have received into my stock, plants covered with 

 the pine-lug, (coccus hesperidum,) without the 



