THE PINE-APPLE. 37 



them they should not be put thicker than two feet from 

 centre to centre, and that side of the plant which has 

 heen to the sun all the growing season should be placed 

 so still. Indeed, very strong plants require more room. 



As soon as they are all plunged, if they are dry, water 

 them with guano-water at 80°, giving them sufficient 

 to moisten the whole ball, but be careful not to splash 

 it about the leaves. The atmospheric temperature for 

 January should be 65° at night, and 70° by day with- 

 out sun ; with sun, 80° will be sufficient, and air should 

 be given when it exceeds that. The moisture in the 

 air must also be proportionately increased, and should 

 be done by sprinkling the paths and walls with tepid 

 water two or three times a-day, instead of steaming the 

 pipes for the present. A watchful eye must be kept on 

 the state of the soil, and no more water given than 

 is sufficient to keep it moist, but not wet. With too 

 much water, and the degree of top and bottom heat now 

 necessary, the tendency of pines to make growth at this 

 season and miss starting for the time being is increased. 

 With these conditions the plants having a mass of 

 healthy roots in an irritable state will soon show signs 

 of motion, and all the more surely in proportion as the 

 heat and moisture are steadily administered. 



In February the heat must be advanced to 70° at 

 night, and 75° by day, and air put on when it exceeds 

 80° with sun, shutting up the house early in the after- 

 noon so as to husband sun-heat. The moisture in the 

 air must not be much more than in January, and the 

 same cautious application of water to the roots must be 

 observed till the fruit makes its appearance. Most of 

 the plants will show fruit before the last week of 

 February. The centres of the plants will be observed 



