190 FEUIT. 



and the drainage covered with moss or similar material, to 

 keep the soil out of it, as nothing is so detrimental to success 

 as stagnant moisture at the root of a pine plant. To com- 

 mence with, it is necessary to secure strong healthy suckers, 

 and from these first-class exhibition fruit may be had in about 

 eighteen months from the time they are inserted in the sucker 

 pots. After the fruit is cut, if the suckers are not large 

 enough, they should be allowed to remain on the stool till 

 they are at least 18 inches in length, as, with plenty of water 

 and a growing atmosphere, they will make more growth in one 

 month on the stool than they will in three months in small 

 pots, if they are taken off before they are tolerably firm and 

 beginning to push roots from the base. If room is required, 

 the stools can be removed and set close together in the succes- 

 sion or sucker pit, which suits them admirably. As soon as the 

 suckers are ready they should be carefully removed from plants 

 bearing fruit, by placing the hand near the base and drawing 

 them off with a sharp twist, without injury to the leaves. Then 

 put them into seven-inch pots in the same compost as already 

 described, making it firm around the base of the sucker. Place 

 them in a close pit, with the pots plunged to the rim in tanner's 

 spent bark or fresh leaves, and give no water for a week, or more 

 in dull cold weather, and only shade them from bright sunshine. 

 In about ten days the roots will be pushing freely, when the 

 plants should receive a thorough watering, and the shading 

 be gradually dispensed with. The bottom-heat should range 

 about 85°, with an air temperature of about 70° at night, 

 rising 10° to 15° during the day, with a free circiilation of air 

 whenever the thermometer touches 80°. Pines require all the 

 light and air that can be given them in this country, and 

 thrive best when grown in a dry, clear, warm atmosphere, 

 mellowed with all the fresh air possible, so that the necessary 

 temperature is maintained. 



In about three months, if all has gone on well, the pots 

 will be well filled with roots, and should be liberally treated 

 with clear liquid manure to maintain a vigorous growth till it 

 is convenient to shift them, which should be done within the 

 next six weeks, placing them at once in their fruiting pots, of 



