On cultivating the Pine-apple. 305 



operation, and on days when the syringe is not employed, I 

 keep up a considerable degree of moisture in the internal air, 

 by pouring water on the flues containing the steam. The only 

 point to be attended to, in the use of such a profusion of water 

 as I employ, is, to see that, either by sunshine or artificial heat, 

 the seeming excess of water is evaporated. 



The principle of watering at the roots, that I practise, is, 

 to give water, as soon as the surface of the soil in the pots 

 appears dr}', which, with me, is generally about once a week, 

 I give the most water to the white Providence, Enville, and 

 queen's ; and less to the Antigua, Havannah, and Montserrat 

 kinds. The quantity to be given to each plant depends on 

 such circumstances, that it mast always be left to the discretion 

 of the gardener who has the charge of them. I give quite as 

 much more in summer as in winter. The water used is made, 

 in Mr. Knight's manner, as rich as possible, by mixing with 

 it the richest manure I can obtain ; generally hen-dung and 

 soot : this is used from March to September, and once or 

 twice in October : it is given to pine plants of every age. The 

 temperature of the water, when given, is 90°. 1 cease wa- 

 tering either by the syringe, or at the root, as soon as I 

 perceive a change for ripening. It is always an object with 

 me, to keep all the plants " slowly gro'wing at all seasons of the 

 year" 



I take off no roots at any time but such as may have become 

 dead ; and I attend particularly to dr^^ining the soil in the 

 pots, by placing at the bottom of each pot some clean river 

 gravel, cleared from all sand: and upon this I put a little 

 moss, to prevent the soil from washing down, and filling up 

 this draining. 



The soil I use is as open as possible, consisting of rotten 

 sods, and vegetable mould in a decaying state, (formed of small 

 sticks, leaves, &c.), and well-rotted cow-dung, in equal parts, 

 with one tenth of ground bones mixed together when wanted ; 

 as I am of opinion that the long preparation and frequent 

 turning of the soil are not only unnecessary, but injurious. 

 The pine-apple is a gross feeder, and will thrive in vegetable 

 manure, however rich or fresh. I have reason to think 

 coagulated blood may be used to give increased richness to the 

 soil, with benefit. 



A frequent and very injurious practice is, placing the plants 

 too thick in the bed, and by that means preventing their re- 

 gular expansion, and free growth in their natural form. In 

 the succession house, my best plants, in the back row, are more 

 than a yard asunder, and they diminish in distance to the 

 front row, where they average eighteen inches asunder ; 



Vol. IX. — No. 44. x 



