62 



pit was found most beneficial, as a moist growing 

 top heat of 80 to 100 degs. will facilitate the rooting 

 and growing of the plants. A slight shading was 

 found necessary on clear days. By the middle of 

 May, if all goes on well, they require shifting, the 

 largest plants into large sixteens, the smallest into 

 twenty-fours, being careful to retain the ball entire. 

 After shifting they are slightly shaded, and the 

 house is kept close for ten days or a fortnight, after 

 which, air is given early in the morning, on fine days, 

 increasing it as the day advances. The thermometer 

 should range from 80 to 90 degs. as it is necessary 

 the plants in this stage should grow at railway speed. 

 He waters with diluted manure-water. (Gard. Journ. 

 1845, 200.) 



Crowns. — We never attempt to propagate by 

 crowns, being quite convinced that it is an unnatural 

 mode of propagation, and that if repeated during a 

 series of years the size and excellence of the fruit 

 would be gradually diminished. Plants, raised from 

 crowns, are longer in producing fruit than others 

 raised from suckers, and the fruit is more shallow 

 pipped. Nevertheless, it is a mode frequently prac- 

 tised, and when crowns are employed we recommend 

 that the part by which they were attached to the 

 fruit should be cut quite smooth, and that they be 

 planted immediately. In fact, as has been justly 

 observed — 



