74 



On the Culture of the Pine Apple. 



occupy the bottom of each pot. This substance, so applied, 

 I have always found to afford the most efficient means for 

 draining off superfluous water, and subsequently of facili- 

 tating the removal of a plant from one pot to another, with- 

 out loss of roots. The surface of the reduced turf was co- 

 vered with a layer of vegetable mould obtained from decayed 

 leaves, and of sandy loam, to prevent the growth of the grass 

 roots. The pots were then placed to stand upon brick piers, 

 near the glass ; and the piers being formed of loose bricks 

 (without mortar), were capable of being reduced as the 

 height of the plants increased. The temperature of the 

 house was generally raised in hot and bright days, chiefly by 

 confined solar heat, from 95° to 105°, and sometimes to 110°, 

 no air being ever given till the temperature of the house ex- 

 ceeded 95°; and the escape of heated air was then, only in 

 a slight degree, permitted. In the night the temperature of 

 the house generally sunk to 70°, or somewhat lower. At this 

 period, and through the months of July and August, a suffi- 

 cient quantity of pigeon's dung was steeped in the water, 

 which was given to the Pine plants, to raise its colour nearly 

 to that of porter, and with this they were usually supplied 

 twice a day in very hot weather ; the mould in the pots be- 

 ing kept constantly very damp, or what gardeners would 

 generally call wet. In the evenings, after very hot days, 

 the plants were often sprinkled with clear water, of the 

 temperature of the external air ; but this was never repeated 

 till all the remains of the last sprinkling had disappeared 

 from the axilhe of the leaves. 



It is, I believe, almost a general custom with gardeners, 

 to give their Pine plants larger pots in autumn, and this mode 



