OF THE PINE-APPLE. 



267 



as the weather may prove more or less favourable, 

 will be sufficient till the middle of March, which 

 is the most eligible season to shift them in their 

 pots. If that work is done sooner, it will prevent 

 the plants from striking freely ; and if deferred 

 longer, it will check them in their summer's 

 growth. 



In this shifting I always shake off the whole of 

 the ball of earth, and cut off all the roots that are 

 of a black colour, carefully preserving such only as 

 are white and strong. I then put such plants as 

 are intended to fruit the next season into second- 

 sized pots with fresh mould entire. 



The bed at this time should be renewed with a 

 little fresh tan, in order to promote its heating, 

 and the pots plunged therein immediately. The 

 hot-house should be kept pretty warm till the heat 

 of the tan begins to arise, as it will be the means 

 of causing the plants to strike both sooner and 

 stronger. As soon as the heat of the bed begins 

 to arise it will be proper to give the plants a 

 sprinkling of water over their leaves ; and as soon 

 as they are perceived to grow, they will require a 

 little water once a week for a short time, and 

 afterwards twice a week till the next time of 

 shifting them in their pots. 



During the summer months give the plants 

 plenty of air whenever the weather is warm, and 

 water properly, as has been described: let the 

 pots be kept in a regular constant heat, and clean 

 from weeds \ but above all, avoid an over-heat of 



