72 



diameter and about 2 feet in length, called at Bicton 

 " the potting bench batten. 55 The porosity thus 

 secured, is of more consequence than may appear at 

 first sight to some, who may imagine it a new-fangled 

 system. 



That a turfy loam is the best possible principle 

 ingredient in pine apple soil, has been admitted ever 

 since its cultivation attracted notice in this country. 

 It is so laid down by nearly all writers upon the sub- 

 ject, but as they generally offer some instructive hints, 

 we shall concentrate their directions pretty much in 

 the order of time in which they appeared, warning 

 our readers, however, against adopting those composts 

 in which rich manures are prominently employed. 



Mr. Giles, next to Mr. Justice, the earliest original 

 writer in England on this fruit, says that the soil 

 should be a rich hazely loam, taken from a well-pas- 

 tured common, or what is called virgin-earth. Not- 

 withstanding the directions given by several authors 

 to make compositions of various soils, this answers 

 much better, not only for pine-apple plants but for 

 most other vegetables. (Giles on Ananas, 13.) 



Mr. Taylor recommends one load of mould from 

 under the turf of a good pasture, and, if it be very 

 light, the fourth part of a load of good mellow loam 

 to be added to it. But, if it be itself of a loamy 

 nature, to mix with it two or three bushels of sea- 

 sand. Then take the fourth part of a load of dung 



