26 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



bright sunshiny days, when the pinery can be shut 

 up in the afternoons with sun-heat, the temperature at 

 8 P.M. may be 70°, allowing it to sink to 65° by morning. 



For a few days after being shifted keep them 

 rather close, and the atmosphere moist, till they begin 

 to lay hold of the fresh soil. Then give a little air daily 

 as soon as the' temperature exceeds 70° ; and with 

 steady sunshine the amount of air may be gradually 

 increased till 2 p.m., when it should be gradually di- 

 minished according to the character of the day, and 

 shut up so as to run the heat up to 80° for a short time 

 before dark. There should not be any attempt at caus- 

 ing a rapid growth till the days get longer and the light 

 more intense. The plants will root freely into the fresh 

 soil, from the increased bottom-heat and the healthy 

 irritable state of the roots, without much perceptible 

 top-growth for a time. 



There will not be any necessity for water at the root 

 for some time — not, certainly, till the early part or 

 middle of April, and even then water should not be over 

 liberally supplied. The experienced can tell by the 

 very appearance of the plants when they require it ; but 

 the inexperienced should examine the soil occasionally 

 and apply water when it becomes dry a few inches from 

 the surface of the ball. Eain-water is of course the best, 

 and it should be heated to not less than 80°, nor more 

 than 85°. At this season it is much safer to err on the 

 side of giving a moderate amount of water than to keep 

 the soil too wet while it is yet unoccupied with roots. 

 The perspiratory organs of the pine are not very active 

 at any season ; and as the plant partakes so much of a 

 succulent nature, a little extra moisture in the air is 

 a much safer way of preventing injury from drought 



