THE PINE- APPLE. 1 7 



ing material may be placed firmly round the pots ; but 

 if the heat is likely to exceed 85°, let the material be 

 placed lightly and openly round them. Let the plants 

 be arranged as previously directed according to the 

 structure of the pinery, and in doing so avoid crowding 

 them together, the consequence of which is to draw the 

 young plants up weakly — and to make good plants of 

 them afterwards is almost impracticable. 



They must now be shaded from the sun during the 

 brightest part of the day for ten or fourteen days, or, 

 in fact, till it be found that they are making roots. In 

 the afternoon, when the shading is removed, they should 

 have a gentle dewing overhead through a very fine rose. 

 The shading and dewing must not be abruptly discon- 

 tinued, but by degrees ; and entirely given iip whenever 

 the young roots are two or three inches long. Then they 

 should have a watering with water at 80° sufficient to 

 moisten the whole ball. After this they soon begin to 

 grow freely, and air should be given early in the day 

 when fine. A good supply of air, with as much light 

 as possible, and a moderately moist atmosphere, with a 

 very sparing use of the syringe only in hot weather, 

 will prevent them from making a weakly drawn growth. 

 From the time the suckers are potted the great 

 object is to obtain a compact sturdy growth as one of 

 the principal points of future success, and which will 

 enable the plants to go through the rigours of winter 

 with impunity. This is dependent chiefly upon free 

 exposure to light, a good supply of air without draught, 

 and a moderate amount of heat and moisture both at 

 the roots and in the air. 



The night temperature for September should range 

 from 65° to 70°, with 10° to 15° more for a while when 



B 



