April.] THE HOT-HOUSE, 355 
are likely to produce the best fruit: this is not always common to 
the largest plants. A few of the most promising being marked, a 
small iron rod, made with a sharp angular point, may be thrust down 
the centre of each sucker arising therefrom, which being turned 
two or three times around, will drill out the heart and prevent its 
growth. Thus the plants being sufficiently supplied with water, 
and having nothing to support but the fruit, will sometimes grow 
amazingly large. But this method is not to be practised on too 
many plants, as it would be attended with the entire loss of all the 
suckers. 
Watering the Pines. 
In the West Indies, where pines grow in the greatest perfection, 
rains are very unfrequent during the period that this fruit is com- 
ing to maturity, but the dews are remarkably heavy; therefore it 
is principally supplied with moisture from the latter; in imitation 
of which, you should raise artificial dews, in the hot-house, by 
watering the walks and flues frequently in dry weather. This will 
be found extremely beneficial, not only to the pine-apple, but to all 
other plants which are natives of similar climates; and by this 
management they will require much less water than they other- 
wise would. However, regular waterings, taking care to give but 
a little at a time, just to keep the earth moderately moist, will be 
necessary. 
Top and Bottom Heat. 
Continue to support the requisite heat in the hot-house by aid 
of moderate evening fires, and a constant good heat in the bark-bed; 
the fruiting plants, in particular, will require this. If the bark was 
not turned and fresh tan added thereto, in March, it should be done 
in the first week of this month, as there directed. But if then 
attended to, there is no necessity for it now, as the pit will yet 
continue to be in excellent order. 
Admitting Jiir. 
Air should now be admitted in proportion to the increasing heat 
of the season; a great deal depends on this article; for without due 
attention to its utility and great influence on the plants, they may, 
if deprived of a sufficiency, be soon rendered of little value. 
Every warm, sunny day, when the wind is not cold, let some of 
the glasses or lights be opened a little way, and more in proportion 
to the heat of the day; but this should not be done before nine or 
ten o'clock in the morning, and they ought to be continued open 
longer than while the air in the house keeps up to a proper degree 
of warmth. 
Towards the end of the month you will find that a sufficiency of 
air cannot be admitted by the upright glasses; therefore it will be 
very necessary to have your roof lights constructed so as to slide 
