THE FRUIT GARDEN. 



503 



gardens are considered as complete without several departments for the cultivation of 

 this king of fruits." 



In the West India Llands there are many varieties of this fruit, as might be 

 expected where it grows spontaneously from seed. In this country many varietiea 

 have originated from seeds, some so early as the days of Miller. Speachly raided 

 above seventy varieties in 1768, from seeds sent from the West Indies. It has been 

 observed as a rather singular circumstance, that those fruits have produced seeds 

 most freely that were in blossom in August, and ripened in December. 



Like most other fruits of admired quality, there are naany varieties in cultivation. 



In the pine stoves of Mr. Gunter, of Earl's Court, Kensington, there are culti- 

 vated above thirty sorts. The nursery catalogues seldom enumerate the number 

 of varieties of this fruit. The catalogue of the Horticultural Society enumerates 95 

 sorts, which is by far the most lengthened list of names ever published. The fol- 

 lowing list includes all that are in general cultivation at this time. 



1. The Queen, or Old Queen, to distinguish it from the next. — Fruit oval; color 

 golden; size middling, rather large; generally under good management, attains 

 the weight of from three to four pounds, sometimes more. Is the hardiest pine we 

 have, and comes to its greatest perfection in much less time, and with much less 

 trouble than any other ; has been brought to perfection in the short period of fifteen 

 or eighteen months. It is more certain of showing fruit while young, and at a 

 proper season, than any other. 



2. Ripley's New Queen. — Is considered as a sub-variety of the last; is a more 

 elegant fruit, and also fruits in an equally short time. It is more generally culti- 

 vated now than any other. We have chosen this pine for our figure, as it is the most 

 useful sort for general purposes in cultivation ; fruiting in the short space of fifteen 

 or eighteen months, and possessing the merits of a handsome form, good size, and 

 high flavor, and capable, with the last mentioned, of being cultivated in perfection 

 upon beds of fermented dung or leaves in frames, with as little difficulty, and little 

 extra expence, to that required to grow early cucumbers. 



3. Globe, Russian Globe. — Another sub-variety of the Queen. It has been as- 

 certained, that this sort was sent by Messrs. Loddige, of the Hackney Nurseries, to 

 Russia, above thirty years ago, and has been lately re-introduced from that country, 

 by the latter name. 



4. Silver-Striped Queen. — Plant elegant in appearance, being striped in the 

 leaves with white, yellow, and red ; is rather a shy bearer ; and, therefore, not 

 often cultivated. This is not the only variegated or striped leaved pine met with in 

 collections ; there are several others, but their merits are not sufficient to recommci:d 

 them to general cultivation. 



5. King Pine, or Shining Green. — The leaves are of a grass green ; color glossy ; 

 the pulp hard and stringy ; the flavor good when fully ripe ; not generally cultivated. 



6. Prickly Striped Su(;ar-loaf.— P'ruit cone-shaped, or pyramidal; color 

 golden when ripe ; leaves striped with black, or dark purple lines. 



7. Brown Sugar-loaf, or Pyrnmidal. — Fruit cone-shaped (thence the name) ; 

 color dark, till it ripens, when it becomes yellow ; flesh very yellow; leaves brownish. 



8. Smooth Striped Sugar-loaf.— Similar to the prickly striped sugar-loaf, but 

 without prickles on the leaves. 



9. Wklbeck Seedling.— Fruit small, generally broader at the head, than at the 

 base; color pale, or sulphur; pips very flat; flesh white and tender; flavor rich, 

 with less acidity than is found in most other pines. 



10. Havannah.— Color dark till it ripens ; tankard shaped. 



11. St. Vincent's Pine, or Green.— Fruit middle sized, and pyramidal; when 

 ripe, of an olive hue. This is rather a rare variety, not often met with in cultivation. 



