444 



CULTURE OF THE PINE-APPLE. 



the second year, produce fruit the third year, often weighing from 10 lbs. to 

 12 lbs. each.— (G. M., iii. 443.) 



932. The conclusions to he drawn from these dota^ and which are at the 

 same time confirmed by the experience of the successful and unsuccessful 

 growers in England, are, — that the temperature of the pine-stove ought 

 never to be more than a few degrees lower than 80° in summer, or a few 

 degrees lower than 70° in winter. As our days are much shorter in winter 

 than they are between the tropics, a lower temperature ought to be allowed 

 for that season, because growth in the absence of light would be of no service 

 to the plant from its immaturity. In winter, therefore, 70° may be adopted 

 as the standard heat of the atmosphere, and in summer the temperature 

 may vary between 80° and 90°, or in the fruiting-house from 90° to 95°. 

 With respect to the temperature of the soil, as the soil in all countries, at 

 a short distance under the surface, is found to average 2" or 3° higher than 

 the atmosphere, oiling to earth having a greater capacity for heat than air, 

 and parting with it more slowly, if we allow a bottom-heat of between 75° 

 and 80° in winter, and between 85° and 90° in summer, we shall probably 

 be in accordance with what takes place in nature. 



933. With respect to soil^ it is almost unnecessary to say that plants in 

 a wild state are not always found in a soil that is best adapted for bringing 

 them to a high degree of perfection, but rather in one that is best adapted 

 for their propagation, in consequence of the surface of the soil being fre- 

 quently moved, or renewed, or rendered moist. Experience has proved 

 that the pine-apple will thrive in any free loamy soil, well enriched with 

 mild manure, or in sandy soil so enriched, or in peat-soil ; the latter being 

 that in which it is generally grown, and that to a high degree of perfection, 

 in the neighbourhood of Paris. 



934. With respect to water^ it is clear that, if a proper heat is kept up, 

 that element of growth may be liberally supplied both at the root and by 

 watering over the head in the evenings. The great art is to keep the plants 

 continually in a state of vigorous growth till the fruit is cut, when nature 

 intended that the parent stock should die ; and therefore if it die leaving 

 a crown or a sucker, these should be treated as new plants, and urged on to 

 the production of fruit, till they die in their turn ; and so on for ever. The 

 plants may be planted in beds of soil or in pots. The latter is the most 

 convenient mode, and that best adapted for artificial culture, because more 

 completely under the control of the cultivator. From what has been stated, 

 the grand cause of the want of success in the culture of the pine-apple with 

 many persons will be sufficiently obvious. The temperature during winter 

 is kept too low, by which means the vital energies of the plants are so far 

 injured that they are never fully recovered. There are various other causes 

 of failure, but this, we are convinced, is the principal one, because many 

 gardeners apply the doctrine of rest to the pine-apple in the same way as 

 they do to other plants. 



SuBSECT. II. — Culture of the Pine-Apple in British Gardens. 



The most abundant crops of pines raised in the shortest time, and in the 

 most economical manner, that we have seen in the neighbourhood of London, 

 have been, at Oakhill, near East Barnet ; and the following account of the 

 practice there was furnished to us on purpose for this work by Mr. Forsyth, 



