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it has been regularly progressive, and that the fruit 

 has ultimately attained its proper size and perfect 

 maturity. He thought, and thought truly, that no 

 fruit has ever been so perfect, either in taste or 

 flavour, the growth and maturity of which had been 

 greatly accelerated by much fire-heat, and, of necessity, 

 abundant water. He, therefore, inclined to believe, 

 that the pine apple will be found to acquire its highest 

 state of excellence, when a considerable time elapses 

 between the period of its blossom and that of its 

 maturity. (Knightfs Papers, 260.) 



In the summer time, Mr. Hamilton says, he can 

 ripen fruit in from twelve to fourteen weeks from the 

 time they show, so that both sucker and fruit is per- 

 fected at that season in seven months. 



This is the greatest rapidity of growth consistent 

 with excellence of quality, and pine apples allowed 

 a month longer to attain ripeness, unchecked, and 

 having the same exposure to light, would attain, 

 probably, a higher flavour. 



From twelve to eighteen months elapse between 

 the time of planting a sucker and ripening its fruit . 

 but when a succession of fruit is obtained from the 

 same stool, three fruits may be obtained from it in 

 two years. 



Bottom Heat. — There is no truth more important 

 to be kept in mind by the gardener, in his stove de- 

 partment, than that the temperature of the soil in 



