336 



PINE APPLE. 



torn, by applying linings of well-worked dung. The 

 effluvia or steam from well-worked stable dung is 

 particularly grateful and nourishing to the leaves of 

 the pine, and at the same time the best defence 

 against all the insects to which the plant is subject. 

 In the mean time the plants are advancing in size, 

 and will require shifting into larger pots from time 

 to time. The state of the roots in the pot always 

 indicates when they require a larger size; and it 

 sbould be considered, that the smaller the shift the 

 better — that is, the new pot should just admit the 

 entire, undisturbed ball, with a surrounding space 

 of not more than half an inch to be filled up with 

 fresh compost. This treatment is continued in hot- 

 beds, and also during their passage through the 

 succession-house, till they have gained their full 

 size. 



But during this progress there is a certain period, 

 namely, in the beginning of March, when the plants 

 may be subjected to what may be called a very un- 

 natural act of cultivation : this is the practice of dis- 

 rooting. Such a mutilation is supposed to be neces- 

 sary, because the original ball of earth containing 

 the roots must be by this time exhausted of most of 

 its nutritive qualities, because old roots are use- 

 less to a new growth, and because the future growth 

 must be supported by a new set of roots which will 

 be produced from the joints above the place of those 

 cut away. The succession plants are therefore, in 

 the beginning of the above-named month, shook out 

 of their pots, divested of all the old roots, and part 



