53 



days will be sufficient. As the plants advance in size, 

 a greater quantity of air should be given them in 

 proportion to their progress, and by the time they 

 have six or eight leaves, they will have strength to 

 withstand the general air of the hot-house, and from 

 that time will require a little water twice a week. 

 The first leaves of seedling pines are very small and 

 tender, much resembling the smallest blades of grass ; 

 the plants therefore should by no means be left un- 

 covered till they have acquired strength, as the Onisci 

 or Wood-lice (with which most hot-houses abound) 

 would in one night destroy the hopes of the crop. 

 It will also be advisable, when the glasses are first 

 taken off the pots, to sprinkle the plants with water, 

 and immediately dust them with a little snuif or to- 

 bacco-dust, which, being put into a puff, or small 

 piece of gauze, may be thrown upon them with ease ; 

 a very small quantity will prevent those insects from 

 injuring the plants. This method will also secure 

 other young and tender plants, kept in hot-houses, 

 from the like accident. By the end of August the 

 Seedling pines will be grown to a proper size for trans- 

 planting, when they should be put into small pots 

 filled with the same mould recommended for crowns 

 and suckers ; and from that time their treatment re- 

 quires no difference from that of the others. (Speechley 

 on the Pine Apple, 256.) 



Suckers, — There was formerly a prejudice against 



