OF THE PINE-APPLE. 



271 



It is very injurious to the plants, and greatly re- 

 tards the swelling of the fruit, to remove them after 

 this season ; therefore, in case the heat of the bed 

 should decline, a fresh heat may be got without 

 moving the plants, by taking out the tan betwixt 

 the pots as deep as possible, and filling that space 

 up with fresh tan. — This method is practised by 

 some even at an earlier season. 



The plants at this season will demand a kind 

 lively bottom heat ; and whenever the weather will 

 permit, a great quantity of air should be admitted 

 into the hot-house, the want of a due proportion of 

 which would cause the stems of the fruit to draw 

 themselves w r eak, and grow tall, after which the 

 fruit never swells kindly. 



As the fruit and suckers begin to advance in 

 size, the plants will require plenty of water to 

 support them, which may be given them at least 

 twice, and sometimes three times a week ; but too 

 much should not be given them at one time ; it is 

 better to give them less at a time, and oftener. 



Sticks should be provided to support the fruit 

 before it is gK)wn too large ; and, in tying them, 

 care should be taken to leave bandage-room suf- 

 ficient, making allowance for the swelling of the 

 fruit. 



When the suckers are grown to about one foot 

 in length, they should be taken off in the same 

 manner that has been described \ and from that 

 time the fruit will swell very fast. As soon as the 

 fruit appears full swelled, the watering such plants 



