On the Cultivation of the Pine Apple. 143 



plant, so perfectly well swelled out, in any season of 

 the year, under any circumstances. He was of opinion, 

 when he saw it, which was early in the last month, that 

 it would probably ripen about the end of the present 

 month, or early in April. It had passed the winter in the 

 temperature which is usually given to common green-house 

 plants, and it had certainly not had the advantages in any 

 degree of judicious management, having been very irre- 

 gularly, and at times much too profusely, supplied with 

 water. What will be the merits of it when ripe, time 

 alone can shew, but I shall here observe, that I have found 

 all Fruits, (and particularly the Melon), to acquire their 

 highest state of excellence when their growth has been 

 slow ; provided it has been regularly progressive, and that 

 the fruit has ultimately attained its proper size and perfect 

 maturity ; and I believe, that no fruit has ever been seen 

 perfect, either in taste or flavour, the growth and matu- 

 rity of which had been greatly accelerated by much fire- 

 heat, and of necessity, abundant water. I am, therefore, 

 much inclined to believe, that the Pine Apple will be found 

 to acquire its highest state of excellence, when a consider- 

 able time elapses between the period of its blossom and 

 that of its maturity. 



Should it be found easily practicable, as I very confidently 

 believe it will, to retard the ripening of the fruit of those 

 plants of the Pine Apple, which blossom late in the summer, 

 or early in the autumn, such fruit might be made to supply 

 our tables abundantly in the spring, or early summer 

 months. 



