PINE APPLE. 



335 



so suitable for the expeditious culture of the pine 

 apple as smaller houses, where there is greater com- 

 mand of heat, &c. 



In Kennedy's, Speechley's, kc, writiiigG on the 

 management of the pine apple, it would appear that 

 they tried too much to make a seasonal plant of it ; 

 that is, to grow the plants so equally, as that they 

 should all show fruit and ripen together. Now this 

 is neither natural to the plant, necessary in the cul- 

 ture, nor is it at all convenient for the table of the 

 proprietor; because there is, under this manage- 

 ment, a glut at one time, and a total privation at 

 another. The plan, however, is no longer regarded 

 so precisely by our best pine growers, many of 

 whom would feel much disconcerted could they not 

 provide a pine apple on any day of the year it might 

 be called for. 



With this deviation from Speechley's system of 

 culture just mentioned, the usual process of growing 

 pines is briefly as follows : viz. As soon as the 

 crowns and suckers are separated from the old 

 plant, they are stuck into the bark pit to strike 

 root. When this takes place, they are immediately 

 potted, and plunged among old bark on a dung hot- 

 bed previously prepared for them. Here the heat 

 should be as lively as that from whence they have 

 been taken : here, too, they must be shaded when 

 necessary; and, after they begin to grow, be fre- 

 quently sprinkled with warm soft water. This will 

 keep the air in the bed sufficiently moist ; and great 

 care must be taken to maintain a brisk heat at hot- 



