THE PINE-APPLE. 



149 



slight departure from th.e lines laid down is open to 

 the cultivator, provided he has the command of a 

 light span-roofed pit like the engraving (Fig. 5), in 

 which the plants can he kept steadily growing under 

 the influence of a day and night temperature slightly 

 in excess of that recommended for the ordinary stock 

 of suckers. In a pit of this kind the plants will 

 have the henefit of every ray of light and sunshine 

 throughout the winter months, moisture can he given 

 in moderation, and the increase in the day and night 

 temperatui^e, instead of hcing bound by any hard and 

 fast line through all weathei'S, will naturally take 

 place when the sky is bright, and the external atmo- 

 sphere is mild. In the selection of suckers for this 

 purpose, the strongest of the Queens are to be pre- 

 ferred, as they grow freely and quickly into a fruit- 

 ing condition. But unless 

 the suitable convenience 

 is at command, not only 

 for growing the plants 

 through the winter, but 

 also for resting them in 

 May, this attempt to steal 

 a march will be best left 

 alone, as there is great 

 danger of getting the 

 plants drawn into a soft 

 weakly growth, a con- 

 dition which will most 

 certainly defeat the ob- 

 ject held in view, namely, 



the production of ripe fruit in little over twelve 

 months after the rootless suckers have been potted. 



Succession Plants.— If all has gone on well, 

 the plants which little more than five months ago 

 were rootless suckers, will now be considered Succes- 

 sion Plants, a term by which they are usually distin- 

 guished from fruiters, and it is of these that we are 

 now about to treat. 



About the end of January, or early in February, 

 the September-potted suckers will have filled their 

 pots with roots ; but, owing to the unusual size of 

 the pots which were 'used, and the possibility of a 

 protracted period of rough weather, there will yet 

 remain some two or three weeks, which will be quite 

 as well devoted to the gentle excitement of the roots, 

 and the necessary preparations for potting. The 

 experienced Pine-grower can tesll at a glance when 

 the plants are ready for the final shift into fruiting- 

 pots, but the uninitiated will do well to make a 

 careful examination of a few of the most promising, 

 and if the roots are not sufiiciently numerous to keep 

 the ball well together, the operation of shifting 

 should be deferred until they are in a satisfactory 

 condition. In order to accelerate this process, an 



Fig. 5.— Span-roofed Pit. 



Plunging-bed 



sage ; ee 



early start being important, the top and bottom heats 

 may be gradually raised about 5^ higher than was 

 recommended for the preceding three months ; atmo- 

 S])heric moisture may also be slightly increased, and, 

 if needful, a little warm water at a temperature of 80° 

 may be applied to the roots. Under this treatment, 

 with the temperature ranging from 60° at night to 

 TO'^ by day, the white, healthy roots will soon begin 

 to push, and the best possible condition for potting 

 will have been secured. If, on the other hand, any of 

 the plants have become pot-bound, the balls should 

 be gently jDressed with the hands until the roots can 

 be disentangled, as matted balls are apt to become 

 dry, and the roots, having pursued a spiral direction, 

 do not take so freely to the new compost. Moreover, 

 the watering of newly-potted plants in February 

 being undesirable, neglect 

 of this simple preliminary 

 operation may result in 

 some of the strongest and 

 best plants starting pre- 

 maturely into fruit. With 

 these hints for his guid- 

 ance the intelligent ama- 

 teur will ever be on the 

 watch, not only for the 

 suitable condition of his 

 plants, but also for a mild, 

 favourable period for the> 

 performance of the work. 



BB, drainage ; cc, ventilators ; d, pas- 

 hot-air chambers ; oo, pipes. 



Preparations for Potting. — When it is borne 

 in mind that the plants now under treatment will 

 occupy the pots to which they are about to be trans- 

 ferred until they have ripened off their fruit, and 

 matured one or two suckers, it will be obvious that 

 this is one of the most important operations, and, as 

 such, should receive the greatest attention in all its 

 details. Some ten days before the time for shifting 

 arrives every plant should be examined, and watered 

 sufiiciently to bring every particle of the soil into a 

 healthy growing state, and a little more air should 

 be given to prevent the excitement applied to the 

 roots from affecting the leaves prior to the removal 

 to the potting-bench. During the few days which 

 will intervene the necessary preliminaries in the 

 potting-shed must be proceeded with, so that every- 

 thing may be ready at hand when a suitable day for 

 potting arrives. Having thoroughly cleansed the 

 pots inside and out, let them be crocked with the 

 same materials and care as was recommended for 

 suckers, using the lower stratum of crocks, also well 

 washed, a little coarser, and finishing off with finer 

 particles quite free from dust. 



Size of Pots. — The size of the pots may vary 



