XXV. Description of a Melon and Pine Pit. By Thomas 

 Andrew Knight, Esq. F. R. S. $>c. President 



Read July 16, 1822. 



I sent an account to the Horticultural Society, in the last 

 spring * of a Pine Apple, which, having blossomed in the 

 month of July, did not ripen till the following month of 

 April, owing to its having passed the autumn and winter in 

 low temperature ; and I thence inferred that Pine Apples 

 might easily be so managed as to supply the market abun- 

 dantly in seasons when few species of fruit can be obtained. 

 In the present spring I erected a small Pine Pit upon a new 

 construction, for the purpose of ascertaining, by experiment 

 upon a few plants, whether my opinions were well founded ; 

 but not having more plants than my houses could conveni- 

 ently contain, I have applied the structure erected for Pine 

 Apple plants to the culture of Melons only, during the 

 summer. 



These having succeeded most admirably, and a great num- 

 ber of gardeners having examined my machinery, and given 

 their unqualified approbation of it, I send the following de- 

 scription of it to the Horticultural Society, flattering myself 

 that it will be found, in the aggregate, superior to any now 

 employed, which can be erected at so small an expense, and 

 managed with so little cost and trouble. It consists of a 



* See page 142 of this volume. The experiment has since been, in many 

 instances, repeated, with similar results. 



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