36 



to have acquired. The manner adopted by practical 

 men to ascertain the heat of the tan bed, and which : 

 will be found sufficiently accurate, is to insert a few 

 sharp-pointed sticks in front and back of the bed, and : 

 a very little acquaintance with these will constitute : 

 them an unerring index. Should the temperature of ~ 

 the bed be ascertained with an instrument, 90 degs. i 

 will be a good medium heat ; but it ought never to i 

 exceed 100 degs. When the fermentation becomes « 

 too powerful, water should be poured around the out- 

 side of the pots, and all over the bed, which will im- ' 

 m.ediately subdue the extreme excitement ; but should ' 

 extraordinary fermentation require a repetition of 

 watering, so as to endanger drenching the bed, the 

 tan ought to be partially removed from the sides of 

 the pots, and again replaced when the heat decUnes. j 

 {Gleiidinning on Pine Apple, 30.) 



We entirely and unreservedly condemn the system 

 of applying bottom heat by tan or other fermenting 

 materials, or upon any other system, so as to endan- . 

 ger its becoming dangerously hot, and requiring so 

 much watchfulness and daily examination ; as plung- \ 

 ing the pots not at all, or only half way, to be re- ; 

 moved when danger occurs, or pouring water about ; 1 

 all of which act as injurious checks to thrifty, healthy 3 

 plants, besides the danger of being too late in the l 

 precautionary applications. Surely the time has ar- 

 rived for men to have their mind's eye open to secure 



