THE STONEBERRY AND PINE-APPLE. 



207 



THE STONEBERRY. 



I am trying to grow the Stoneberry [Rubus saxatilis), which, is a 

 rare plant in England, but which is found occasionally in Scotland. I 

 have brought a number of plants from Scotland to ascertain whether 

 they can be rendered worthy of cultivation, but experience only can 

 decide the fact. They are growing freely. 



PINE-APPLES. 



We do not profess to grow Pine-apples {Bromelia Ananus) ; never- 

 theless by a little management we contrive to have a few of fine 

 flavour every year, by appropriating to their culture a frame with a 

 flue and return hot-water pipe. They like warm bottom heat, a humid 

 atmosphere, and abundance of light ; they are propagated by seed when 

 new varieties are sought, but for the usual growth they are multiplied 

 either by planting the crown or by suckers. We now plant suckers 

 in pots in the back of the melon-pit in spring : these root during the 

 summer, when they are in autumn removed to the small brick pit. 

 By management some gardeners obtain the largest-sized pines within 

 a year of planting the suckers ; but we have 

 never succeeded in so short a period. During 

 winter but little water is given, but, as spring 

 commences, the tan-pit is made up, and they 

 are grown more rapidly. They require but 

 little care or trouble, except to maintain the 

 temperature of the pit so that it does not fall 

 much below 70°, and to keep the air moist. 

 There are various kinds of pines, but one 

 , variety from its keen penetrating flavour sur- 

 passes all, — namely, the Queen (fig. 393). Per- 

 haps one pound of good Queen pine would 

 go as far in flavouring ices as half-a-dozen pounds of any other sort. 

 Where large pines are required. Providence or Trinidad pines must be 



FfG. 393. — Queen Pine-apple. 



