398 FORCING DEPARTMENT. 



PINE PIT. 



The accompanying Plate, No. 21, represents the 

 Ground Plan, Elevation, and Cross Section, through 

 the boiler of a Pine Pit. This structure is heated 

 with hot-water, and also by external dung linings, 

 whereby a moist or dry heat can be kept up at plea- 

 sure, as the state of the plants may require it. 

 This pit is about 70 feet long, and divided into two 

 divisions, and heated by one boiler, whereby either 

 Figs or Grape Vines in pots, may be accelerated in 

 one of the compartments, when not wanted for 

 Pines. The Pines which shew their fruit at a late 

 period of the year, are generally matured in this 

 Pine pit, as, being of small dimensions, less fuel is 

 requisite for keeping up the temperature in the 

 Winter months. There is, also, a lining of dung 

 and leaves applied around the walls, and the com- 

 bination of a dry and moist heat prevents the plants 

 from being scorched with fire heat, when the pit is 

 kept at a high degree of temperature. The linings 

 also throw a heat into the bed of leaves in which 

 the Pines are plunged, and continue a regular 

 bottom heat in the pit, until the fruit is ripened 

 off, which renders it unnecessary to remove or 

 disturb the plants for the renewing of the bed, as 

 the warmth produced from the effects of the external 

 linings will be quite sufficient for the maturity of 

 the fruit. 



