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Instead of using, as in former days, a sharp-pointed 

 stick, in order to thrust down, and regularly to fill 

 up with the finer soil, we make use of a blunt square 

 piece of wood, at least, for potting pines, two inches 

 square ; the soil, instead of being rammed down, as 

 formerly recommended, and in too many cases prac- 

 tised, we quietly push down. Thus a porous kindly 

 mass is secured, and fully maintained. 



Mr. Mills and all good pine growers, agree as to 

 the importance of good drainage to the pine apple. 

 Use, he says, a good quantity of drainage. Broken 

 garden pots are good for this purpose, a few large 

 pieces at the bottom, and the upper ones very small ; 

 and oyster-shells or charcoal would be equally good. 

 Be the material what it may^ an effectual drainage 

 must be secured, on which is placed about one inch of 

 the rough compost ; and the bottom of the ball of 

 earth, containing the roots of the plant, is placed 

 thereon. If from one inch to one and a half inch 

 of fresh soil is given at top, bottom, and sides, it will 

 be a good remove or shift. In March, the plants, if 

 well grown, will require to be looked to and shifted ; 

 again about the middle or latter end of May ; and 

 again in August usually for the last time ; but every 

 thing will depend on the time the fruit is required. 

 I A plant will seldom show fruit until it has filled its 

 \ pot with roots ; therefore, if large plants are not re- 

 quired to show fruit, they must be kept growing by 



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