THE PINE-APPLE. 1 3 



SOIL. 



Dr Lindley, in his ' Theory of Horticulture,' says, — 

 " We are informed by Beyrick, that the pine-apple in 

 its wild state is found near the sea-shore — the sand 

 accumulated there in downs serving for its growth as 

 well as for that of most of the species of the same family. 

 The place where the best pine-apples are cultivated is 

 of a similar nature. In the sandy plains, Praya Velha 

 and Praya Grande, formed by the receding of the sea, 

 and in which few other plants will thrive, are the spots 

 where the pine-apple grows best." Although the soil 

 in which the pine-apple is found growing in its native 

 or wild state cannot be taken as an absolute guide, still 

 the fact that sand is its native choice would of itself 

 serve to teach the cultivator that a heavy clayey soil, 

 having a strong attraction for water, is not likely to be 

 the most suitable for the healthy growth of pine-apples. 

 I believe that practice has set its seal to this ; at least 

 my experience leads me to recommend a fibry calca- 

 reous loam in preference to that which all gardeners 

 know as a heavy and tenacious loam. That in which 

 I have grown the best pines was taken from the surface 

 of a rocky crag, and was very full of fibre. It should 

 be collected and stacked for twelve months before it is 

 used ; and a few months before being required for pot- 

 ting, put into f dry airy shed, breaking it up or teasing it 

 with the hanks — not separating a particle of the fibre 

 from it. It thus forms a soil with much more fibre in 

 it than is generally used for pines, and one which the 

 soft, rather fleshy roots of the pine seem wonderfully to 

 enjoy. 



This soil is used without any addition of manure 



