15 



that the fruit changes colour. The Providence, En- 

 ville, and Antigua, he never waters nor shades six 

 weeks after they have bloomed ; and such as the 

 Montserrat, Jamaica, &c., he does not water after 

 seven or eight weeks, as these sorts are longer in 

 ripening. So rapid has been the growth of the 

 three former varieties, that the fruit frequently mea- 

 sured from 18 to 21 inches round in that time, and 

 increased in weight from 16 to 20 ounces per week. 

 Very justly he endeavours by artificial means to sur- 

 pass a tropical climate, by imitating a moist and dry 

 atmosphere in the same house, and at the same sea- 

 son. This he accomplishes by so arranging the 

 plants that he can sprinkle and shade those that are 

 growing, whilst those that are maturing their fruit 

 have the benefit of all the hght and sun ; and thus he 

 effects one of the most important objects of pine cul- 

 ture, namely, encouraging rapid growth in one set of 

 plants, whilst others are ripening their fruit. By 

 thus deviating from a natural climate, he manages to 

 cut at least eleven months out of the twelve ; whereas, 

 if he was to imitate entirely a tropical climate, the 

 fruit would be all produced at one particular season. 

 In his opinion, wherein we fully coincide, the flavour 

 ! does not so much depend on a scorching sun as on 

 ^ the health and vigour of the plant. (Gard, Chron. 

 ' 1844, 372.) 



Mr. Glendinning entertains a similar opinion, en- 



