2 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



been regarded as one of the greatest triumphs of hor- 

 ticulturists. Improved practice is perhaps as much ap- 

 parent in pine culture as in any branch of horticulture. 

 Superior results are now attained in eighteen months to 

 what it required twice that time to produce in the recol- 

 lection of the writer. To Mr James Barnes, late gardener 

 at Bicton Park, Devonshire, we are indebted for expos- 

 ing and discontinuing the erroneous practice of annually 

 disrooting pine plants, and subjecting them to too high 

 a soil temperature. This was the first step in contract- 

 ing the period considered necessary to bring the pine- 

 apple to maturity. And of more recent date is the very 

 general cultivation of the pine-apple in much smaller 

 pots than were used some thirty years ago : and where 

 the pot system is practised, this practice makes them 

 more easily managed, and at less expense. 



P I N E E I E s. 



That which naturally claims attention first in treating 

 on the cultivation of the pine-a,pple is, the description of 

 houses or pineries which afford the greatest convenience 

 andfacilities for first-rate cultivation, their situation, and 

 the exposure which they should occupy. 



The situation should be one well sheltered from 

 cutting winds, and having a full south aspect. There 

 is nothing that necessitates hard firing to keep up 

 a given temperature more than exposure to high 

 winds ; and the atmosphere will be the more conducive 

 to healthy growth the less hard forcing is required to 

 maintain the heat. Therefore, shelter from north, east, 

 and west should be taken into consideration in the erec- 

 tion of pineries, especially if the situation is naturally 



