FEUIT. 189 



the weather. The Pine is now generally grown in pots, and 

 for all practical purposes it is undoubtedly the best system 

 when properly carried out ; but some very successful growers 

 in bygone times preferred to grow them planted out in beds 

 specially made up for the purpose, believing that they obtained 

 larger fruit than from plants grown in pots. With more expe- 

 rience, there is good reason to doubt the supposed advantages 

 of the planted-out over the pot-grown plants, all things being 

 equal ; but as soil and culture apply equally to both systems, 

 growers may choose the method which suits them best. 



In planting them out, strong well-rooted succession plant.** 

 should be inserted in prepared beds of sound mellow loam, of 

 a light or medium texture, with a free sprinkling of finely 

 broken -up dry cow, sheep, deer, or pigeon dung — all are suit- 

 able in a dry state — soot, and bone-meal, making the soil quite 

 firm around the plants. If the soil is in a proper state, no 

 water will be required till the plants begin to push out fresh 

 roots, when the soil will be in a condition to receive a thorough 

 soaking, and no more should be given until the plants show to 

 an experienced eye that they require it. If deluged unneces- 

 sarily with water, the soil sours and the plants grow soft and 

 flabby in the leaves, and are difficult to get to show fruit, 

 which is usually deficient in both size and quality. In conse- 

 quence, liquid manure and rich top-dressings have to be used 

 with the greatest caution ; but a judicious application of these 

 when the fruit is swelling is advantageous. 



In pot-culture, which, with modern appliances, is the best 

 for producing first-class fruit all the year round, similar soil 

 is used, potting moderately firm, but not ramming it so " hard 

 as pavement," as practised by some with no good result. For 

 fruiting the Black Jamaica, Queen, and other varieties of 

 moderate growth, 10 to 11 -inch pots are quite sufficient for 

 growing the largest plants to produce the finest fruits. For 

 Smooth Cayenne, Charlotte Rothschild, and the like, 12 to 13- 

 inch pots are ample ; and even for the strongest growers, such 

 as Black Prince and Providence, 13-inch pots, with proper 

 attention, will produce finer fruit within a given time than 

 pots of several sizes larger. All pots require to be well drained, 



