THE FIXE- APPLE. 



267 



but there can be little doubt that this drawback to 

 the otherwise simple mode of growing Pines has kept 

 it in check even in large places, where a constant 

 supply of good fruit is of the first importance. Some 

 cultivators have modified the system by growing 

 young stock in pots, and turning them out into the 

 beds when they would otherwise receive their final 

 shift into fruiting-pots ; but it is questionable if the 

 space gained by growing the plants closer together 

 through the first season wt.11 compensate for the un- 

 certainty which attends theii" fruiting, and the possi- 

 bility of the majority of the Pines becoming ripe at 

 one time. 



In order to place the plants in the best condition 

 for producing large fruit, pots should be dispensed 

 with altogether, as it very often happens that the bed 

 is not ready for their receptioa before they become 

 pot-bound, when one of two things takes place after 

 they are turned out — either many of the roots perish, 

 and the plants are reduced to the condition of suckers, 

 or some of them start prematurely into fruit, and 

 become useless. Therefore, to avoid these mishaps, 

 the Pine-grower whose space is limited should have 

 a good pit, large enough to hold as many young 

 plants as wiU. keep the fruiting - house furnished 

 with successions. If bottom-heat pipes do not exist, 

 then fermenting leaves firmly trodden will produce a 

 genial bottom heat, over which suckers -nail soon form 

 roots and grow on firm and stocky, till the fruiting- 

 house can be properly prepared for their reception. 

 To insure a constant bottom heat of 80'', hot-water 

 pipes should be laid in a chamber, or in dry rubble, 

 with space for a foot of leaves and the soil, to raise 

 the level to within eighteen inches of the glass in 

 front, and from three to four feet at the back of 

 the pit. 



The planting- out system may be commenced at 

 any season, provided the plants can be thoroughly 

 established before the dead months set in. Early 

 spring is, however, the best, as newly harvested 

 leaves are then at hand, and autumn-rooted suckers 

 are in good condition for moving, with every chance 

 of their taking to the new compost, and starting 

 away at once. When the fruiting-pit has been pre- 

 pared, and the compost, similar to that recommended 

 for pot culture, is ready, it should be placed loosely 

 in ridges running across the pit to get properly 

 warmed, turned, and aerated, when planting may be 

 proceeded with in the following manner. The best 

 variety, as has been stated, being the Cayenne, the 

 largest plants should be placed in a row, two feet 

 six inches apart, along the back, -^dth a few pieces of 

 rough turf under the balls to raise them to the 

 proper level, and firmly packed with compost, so as to 

 leave a deep furrow between the plants from back to 

 front. Then will follow the second row, two feet 



from the first, anl so on until the pit is full. After 

 planting, the house should be kept close and the at- 

 mosphere well supphed with moistui-e for a few days, 

 when ordinary treatment as to air, heat, and slight 

 shading for an hour or two on bright days will follow. 

 If the soil is in nice friable condition, no water must 

 be given to the roots until they have started fairly 

 into growth ; neither must the plants have more 

 than an occasional slight dewing over with the 

 syringe, as the new leaves and soil will give off an 

 abundance of moisture for a considerable time. If 

 larger plants from pots are used, the balls should be 

 slightly crushed, and the roots carefully unwound, so 

 as to bring them into immediate contact with the 

 new soil, and to prevent the old compost forming a 

 hard, dry substance, impervious to water during the 

 summer. 



When Pines are turned out into warm ridges 

 of fresh fibrous turf, it is astonishing how quickly 

 the white roots begin to force their way to the 

 sides, and the broad short leaves spread out to 

 catch every ray of sunshine and light, giving them 

 quite a distinct character as compared with the same 

 varieties when confined to pots. When once estab- 

 lished, the treatment as to heat, air, and moistm-e 

 will be the same as for plants in pots, with perhaps 

 a little more solar heat to penetrate the ridges after 

 the pit is closed for the day. When watering is 

 found necessary, it should be liberally supplied, and 

 great care should be observed in the use of the 

 syringe, otherwise the large quantitj^ of soil will hold 

 more water in suspension than is good for Pines. If 

 the plants are intended to start into fruit early in 

 the spring, no water must be given after September, 

 and the atmosphere must be kept drier than would be 

 considered safe for plants resting in pots; but the 

 Cayenne being more valuable as a succession to early 

 Queens, by modifpng the winter treatment, and 

 fully developing the root system, much finer fruit 

 will be obtained from plants which are allowed to 

 grow themselves into a fruiting condition. 



Renovation of the Bed.— When hot-water 

 pipes are found sufficient to keep up the proper 

 degree of bottom heat, it is not considered necessary 

 to turn out the pit and replenish the bed every year, 

 as plants can be taken out after the fruit is cut and 

 replaced with others from the reserve, which will, of 

 course, have a little fresh soil given to them at the 

 time of planting. In course of time the soil and 

 leaves get too far away from the glass, the plants 

 become irregular, and the general appearance of the 

 house suggests the propriety of making a new start 

 with everything fresh and clean. The best period for 

 this is immediately after a large proportion of the 

 plants have finished their fruit, and there are but few 



