50 



MODES OF PROPAGATION. 



There is no doubt that the natural modes of propa- 

 gating the pine apple are by seeds and suckers, but 

 to these, the gardener's art has added propagation by 

 the crown and cuttings of the stem. We have a 

 strong opinion that, like other fleshy -leaved plants, 

 it might be propagated, also, by leaves slipped off 

 from the bottom of the stem. 



Seeds. — The seeds are small, dark brown, not un- 

 like those of the Siberian crab, and are contained 

 within the pips or protuberances of the fruit. Mr. 

 Speechley was of opinion, that its seed is rarely per- 

 fected either in this country, or even in the West 

 Indies. The latter was certainly an error even when 

 Mr. Speechley wrote, and under the better mode of 

 cultivation now adopted, seed is also of very frequent 

 occurrence in fruit ripened in this country. We can 

 state this from actual observation ; and moreover from 

 similar experience, we think, that if practical men 

 were to address themselves to hybridising the best 

 varieties now in cultivation, we should very soon have 

 others very superior even to their parents, and of a 

 much hardier nature than any we have in cultivation 

 at present. Three years ago, Mr. Barnes sowed three 

 seeds of an Enville pine, given to him by Lady Rolle. 

 They were sown in lightish turfy loam, mixed with a 

 little charcoal, well drained in a 7-inch pot, filled to 



