528 



PRACTICE OF GARDENING. 



Part III. 



to be shaded, after being shifted in the spring, whenever the weather is warm and clear, as I have before 

 observed in treating upon that head." 



2810. In Russia, the pine-stoves are frequently kept covered with boarded shutters day and night for 

 several weeks, and even as long as three months together. As the plants are then as nearly as possible 

 in a dormant state, it does not appear to injure them so much as a native of a more genial climate would 

 imagine. 



2811. Air. In March, when the plants ai-e showing fruit, Speechly " admits a great 

 quantity of air into the hot-house, the want of a due proportion of which causes the stems 

 to draw themselves weak, and grow tall, after which the fruit never swells kindly." 

 {Tr. on Pine, p. 50.) 



2812. Abercrombie says, " Give plenty of air to plants in fruit, without a daily supply of which, they will 

 not swell to a handsome full size, nor acquire the elevated flavor which belongs to the pine-apple when in 

 perfection." {Pr. Gard. p. 642.) 



2813. M'P/iail admits air whenever it can be done consistently witli attention to the temperature. In 

 June, if the night^ be cold, and the daj s cloudy, " you will have occasion for fires, otherwise you will 

 not be able to give air enough, and keep up the temperature." In July and August, abundance of air is 

 given, and some often left at the houses all night. 



- 2814. Nicol admits air at all seasons, in fine sunshine weather, " freely, as the fruit approaches maturity, 

 in order to enhance its flavor." 



2815. Griffin gives air to the fruiting-house, " discretionally, in fine, mild, sunny days, from ten till about 

 two o'clock," and more freely in the summer season. 



2816. Baldwin gives air " when the weather will permit, winter and summer, from the back and ends, 

 but never from the roof." 



2817. JFater. Speechly says, " As tlie fruit and suckers begin to advance in size, the 

 plants will require plenty of water to support them, which may be given them at least 

 twice, and sometimes three times a-week ; but too much should not be given tliem at 

 one time ; it is better to give them less at a time and oftener." As soon as the fruit 

 appears udl swelled, the watering such plants as produce them should cease ; but it is 

 a general practice (in order to have the fruit as large as can be got,) to continue tlie 

 watering too long, which causes the fruit to be filled with an insipid, watery, and ill 

 flavored juice. ( Tr. on Pine, p. 52. ) 



2818. Abercrombie, hQiwzen the times of watering plants in f*uit, sprinkles the flues, but "suspends 

 watering over the herb till the olossoras are fairly set. Afterwards, while the fruit continues green, it 

 •will be beneficial to give water now and then, over the herb, from a fine rose-pan : even departing winter 

 is some restraint upon this ; but after March has commenced, wash the herb perfectly clean every eight 

 days. Use soft water that has been warmed to the temperature of the house; and, for two or three hours 

 after, have a maximum heat from the flues to exhale superfluous moisture. Moderate humidity and the 

 suitable degree of heat will make the young fruit swell apace. At seasons when the mid-day suu 

 has much power, it is best to water over the leaves as soon as the morning-sun is felt on the house, or two 

 hours before sunset The fruit will not swell off fine, if there be any deficiency in giving water. When 

 the fruit is well swelled, forbear to water over the fruit or leaves ; but it is still riccessarj- to keep the earth 

 about the roots a little moist. Nor, when the fruit is pretty large, should water be poured into the 

 crowns so cojjiously as to stand in them more than one day. The diftferent degrees in which the varieties 

 stand in need of water must not be forgotten. As the pine-apples begin to ripen, put them on short al- 

 lowance of water, for excessive humidity spoils the flavor of the fruit : begin the reduction by decreasing 

 the quantity ; for, in hot weather, frequent .small supplies should be given on account of the sucker.-; ou 

 the plant, till consideration for the fruit forbid even sparing waterings, lest it should be rendered 

 insipid." 



2819. J\PPJwil says, " Let it be remembered, that while the fruit is in blossom, and for some days 

 afterwards, the plants should not be watei-ed all over their leaves, neither should the plants be watered 

 all over their leaves nor fruit after the fruit is fully swelled, nor should the earth, in which the roots are, 

 be after that time kept very moist, for they do'not require it, because the plant has nearly performed 

 its office, which it never has to do a second time." To water the fruiting pine-plants in winter; in 

 gloomy weather, when it is best not to water over the leaves, a small-sized watering-pot, with a long tin 

 pipe and a flat nose on the end of it, should be in readiness : the water should beat S{>°, and never under 

 iQ". In January, they may require to be watered two or three times. The same in February. In March, 

 wash them once or twice' over the leaves, till every part be perfectly clean. They may require to be 

 watered three or four times at root. In April and May, water over the leaves with water fro^n SC^ to 

 90"'', and at bottom perhaps four or five times. In July, " when any of the fruit are full-swelled, do 

 not water them over the fruit or leaves : but it is necessan," even then to have the earth about tlieir 

 roots moderately moist, otherwise the fruit would flag for want of nourishment. It should also be ob- 

 served, that after the fruit is swelled to a prettj- good size, water should not be poured into the crowns 

 of the fruit so plentifully as to stand in them above a day or two." In August, when the fruit are 

 ripening, give no water. 



2820. Nicol waters seldom in January, and not oftener than once in six or eight days in February. 

 In March, " water may be given oftener than heretofore advised, and also in larger quantities ; generally 

 a moderate watering at root once in three or four days, and a dewing over head occasionally, to refresh 

 the leaves, and keep them clean from dust. From the' time the plants are cut of flower, and the fruit 

 begins to swell, water must be applied in a very liberal manner once in two or three days, always giving 

 the necessary quanOty at root, and then a dewing over head. Watering to this extent, however, if the 

 fruit be not in too forward a state, will seldom benecessarj- before the end of the month, or till April." 

 In April, " water must be given in a plentiful manner, once in two or three days, in order the better to 

 swell oft" the fruit. The roots have now mucli to do in sustaining it, and also the suckers, which will be 

 fast advancing in growth. For this reason, water frequently with dunghill drainings, or with water of 

 dung, soaked on purpose ; and after each watering at root, give a dewing over the leaves, as directed 

 above." In May, June, and July, " from the time the fruit begin to color, however, begin also to lessen 

 the quantity of water ; and towards its being fit for cutting, withhold water entirely, else the flavor will 

 be very much deteriorated I shall here observe, with respect to tlie different kinds of pines, that the 

 queen and the sugar-loaf sorts require considerably more water than the king or Havannah, and the 

 Antigua. The difFerence in the manner of watering should be more particularly attended to as the 

 fruit approach to maturity ; as the latter-named kinds are namrally more juicy and waterj' than the 

 former." In August, the plants that have done fruiting being removed, the succession stock which re- 

 place them are to be watered freely at root, and occasionally dewed over top. In October and Novem- 

 ber, the waterings are gradually lessened ; and in December, once in eight, ten, or twelve days, will be 

 sufficient. {Kal.) 



