CULTIVATION OF THE PINEAPPLE WITHOUT POTS. 
17 
in quincunx order, as when so planted, they throw less shade on those immediately behind 
them. As each row is planted, a slight watering should he given to settle the soil, over 
which a thin covering of new tan should be spread. This is the most suitable thing for the 
surface of a Pine-bed that I have tried : its property of continuing in the same loose and 
open state for so long a time, is one of its chief recommendations ; it prevents a too rapid 
evaporation from going on, and absorbs the heat from the sun’s rays better than most 
other things ; and after being moistened by syringing, it continues to give off vapour for 
a considerable time, and during its gradual decomposition furnishes gases to the atmo- 
sphere which are beneficial to the Pine. If the plants have been grown in pots previously 
to their being planted out, the roots should be carefully loosened out of the soil, and when 
placed in their new situation they should be spread out as much as possible. I consider it 
an excellent plan to appropriate the front row to the suckers, as by so doing, a succession- 
pit is not needed ; hut every pit may contain a few rows of fruit-hearing plants. A 
portion of rough new tan should he mixed with the compost for the suckers, as when 
so prepared, the plants will move with a fork full of it attached to their roots. 
As soon as a fruit is cut, the plant is pulled up, about half a bushel of the exhausted 
soil is removed and replaced by the same quantity of new compost ; the best plant is then 
selected from the front row, and planted in place of the old one, and the place in the front 
row is filled up by another sucker ; this goes on for two, three, or more years, until it be 
thought advisable to renew the entire bed. The plants should then be carefully taken up 
and set in a close shed, while the old soil is being removed and the new bed prepared ; 
after which the plants must be returned to their places. With shading for a week or ten 
days, and a genial growing atmosphere, they will be in a better state than before they 
were moved. 
I find no difficulty in moving the plants in any stage or at any season, and in general 
they seem to grow more vigorously after they have been taken up and replanted. I may 
here mention that a plant shifted with a hall of earth has a decided advantage over one 
planted out of a pot ; for although a few of the longest roots have their points shortened, 
yet plants grown in the open bed have always a supply of fine young feeders, of different 
lengths, radiating from the stem in every direction ; these, as soon as placed in the new 
compost, are ready to take immediate advantage of their improved circumstances : the 
plant from the pot, if much matted, is some time before it finds its way freely into the soil, 
and if any attempt is made to unwind its roots they are almost certain to he damaged, and 
the plant has to send out new roots from the stem before any great progress can be 
expected. I am aware that some gardeners have time to watch their plants, and pot them 
a few at a time, just as they require it ; of course they are safe from the evils arising from 
matted roots ; hut there are many, who, from press of general business, seldom find leisure 
themselves to examine so closely the wants of individual plants ; still less able are they to 
give them attention the moment they require it. 
In consequence of the amazing rapidity with which the Pines make their growth when 
treated on this system, it becomes necessary to give air much more abundantly than we 
were wont to do on the old method of pot-culture : if we did not pay particular attention to 
this point, the plants would scarcely support their own weight. I think we cannot do better 
than take a lesson from nature, with regard to giving air to the Pine-plant. In the West 
Indian islands, of which the Pine is a native, the temperature is very high, ranging between 
80° and 96° in summer during the day, and seldom falling lower than 69° in winter. But 
we must also take into consideration that light is much more intense under the tropics than 
in our island, and that our temperature must he proportionate to the strength of the sun’s 
rays. The heat in their native isles would be still more intense, were it not moderated by 
a breeze, which sets in from the sea, about nine o’clock daily, and continues till sunset. 
To imitate this, we should keep up a high temperature in the day-time, by fire-heat if 
necessary, and give abundance of air during the day, by tilting the lights, both hack and 
front. In very dull, dark weather, a more moderate temperature should be maintained ; as 
every gardener knows, or ought to know, that high temperature in dark, dull weather, is 
injurious to the health of plants. The facility with which the sea breeze may be imitated, 
is one of the advantages arising from making the same series of hot-water pipes produce 
both top and bottom-heat. As the latter must be kept up by fire-heat, top heat is unavoid- 
able, and this renders it indispensably necessary to give an abundant supply of top air. A 
little air should also be left on at night, except during very windy weather, or when the air 
YOL. I. — NO. I. D 
