122 



excitable state of their root, owing to their having 

 passed the winter in a very low temperature compara- 

 tively with that of a bark-bed. The plants in winter 

 were supplied with water in moderate quantities, and 

 holding in solution a less quantity of food than was 

 given them in summer. (Knighfs Papers, 243.) 



As the application of bottom heat is acknowledged 

 to be one of the most important points in successful 

 pine culture, we shall not be thought needlessly 

 prolix in offering some more general remarks upon 

 the subject, before proceeding to observe upon the 

 management of some of the sources from whence it 

 is usually derived. 



As it is needful to keep up, or furnish, different 

 degrees of heat and evaporation for fruit-swelling 

 plants, and those in blossom, -and those in earlier 

 stages of growth, to continue a succession of good 

 fruit throughout the season, just so is it needful to 

 have a structure on a good principle, in compart- 

 ments, with full command of means for applying an 

 appropriately-heated humid atmosphere, or a dry 

 atmosphere, as these stages of growth may require. 

 These changes would be easily commanded by em- 

 ploying some one or other of the structures described 

 in the last section. Thus, a tank, or gutter-heating 



of good fruit throughout the season, if, during any part of it, 

 they were allowed to be stationary, or nearly so. 



