144 THE FRUIT GARDEN 



Plants in Borders. — The pineapple is cultivated in English gardens 

 in two ways. One is termed the planting-out system, by which is under- 

 stood that the plants are planted in a border ; the other is pot culture. Both 

 systems were extensively practised at the Royal Gardens, Windsor, and each 

 had its advantages. By planting out you undoubtedly get larger and heavier 

 fruits and also economise labour, and there is also an advantage in the long 

 succession of fruits it is possible to obtain from one house by this method 

 (especially when suckers of different sizes are planted out in the first instance). 

 This way is better adapted to the culture of the larger varieties, such as the 

 Rothschild and Cayenne pineapples. If plenty of leaves are to be had, no doubt 

 this is the best way to provide the necessary bottom heat. The air of the house 

 is constantly charged with ammonia by fermentation of the leaves, and with 

 beech and oak leaves (which are best) this goes on for a long time. This 

 method of culture was attended with much success at the Royal Gardens, 

 and I think that I cannot do better than briefly outline the plan followed 

 there. 



The Structure. — The structures in which the pineapples were planted 

 out were big pits covered with portable lights like an ordinary frame. They 

 were deep enough to hold at least 4 feet of leaves trampled firm ; 10 feet wide 

 to hold five rows of plants, and built in sections of from 30 to 40 feet long 

 in order to accommodate successional crops planted at different times of the 

 year. Two rows of 4-inch pipes should be provided (both back and front), on 

 the top row of which troughs to hold water (for evaporation) should be fixed. 

 The first house, or more correctly speaking, pit, should be planted as early in 

 the autumn as it is possible to secure sufficient leaves to form a hot-bed, and 

 after this has been made at least 4 feet deep and the soil added, the surface 

 of the bed ought not to be less than 3J feet from the glass. A layer of turf, 

 grass side downwards, is placed upon the leaves, and upon this again five ridges 

 of soil. These ridges should be 10 inches high and made firm. If the leaves 

 have been properly rammed and made firm when placed in the pit the 

 bottom heat will not rise above 80 degs., which is not too high at the time 

 of planting. 



Planting. — The suckers may be planted 2 feet apart, allowing 2 feet 

 between the ridges, as taken from the parent plant, rootless, in August ; the 

 only preparation necessary is to take off a few of the bottom leaves, leaving about 

 an inch of the base bare, and cut off" the end. The soil should be pressed firmly 

 against the sucker at the time of planting. There will be very little more to do 

 to the plants until the following spring ; scarcely any shade will be required. A 

 minimum night temperature of 65 degs. and a maximum of 75 degs. in the 

 day with sun heat and 70 degs. without, should be maintained throughout the 

 winter. The young plants will make roots, although making no appreciable 

 foliage growth. On dry days until the middle of November they should be 

 slightly syringed over once or twice a day. After this, until the end of January, 

 the walls and pipes, but not the plants, may be syringed on dry days. If the 

 soil was fairly moist at the time of planting, the plants will require no water at 

 the roots before the first week in February (excepting an occasional syringing 



