1868. ] EXPEDITIOUS PINE CULTURE-FRUIT-TREE AND PLANT PROTECTORS. 159 
always been my practice, and it is sustained by an appeal to science, and 
sanctioned by a tolerably wide and successful experience. 
Hardwicke House, Bury St. Edmunds. D. T. Fish, F.R.H.S. 
EXPEDITIOUS PINE CULTURE. 
CAN fully confirm Mr. D. Tliomson’s statements (p. 128), with 
regard to growing and fruiting the Pine-apple within twelve months 
from the time the crown or sucker is detached from the parent plant. 
I had long since formed the idea that it might be done satisfactorily, 
but circumstances have till recently prevented me from carrying it 
out. Now, that I have made an experimental trial, I am able to corroborate 
Mr. Thomson, when he says it can be carried out as a rule. 
Not growing Pines at this place, I was dependent upon a friend for a 
dozen crowns and suckers, which I obtained in order to try the experiment. 
These came into my hands last July ; they were at once potted, and grown 
in a structure as unpretending as the routine of culture has been simple, 
yet complete. The result is, that I have a dozen Queens just colouring, all 
good-sized table fruit, handsome, and with the pips flat and well filled out. 
I would advise all who have the opportunity to try the experiment, for if 
this system can be generally established, I venture to say that the Pine¬ 
apple will be as freely cultivated as the pot Vine is now. 
I can also confirm Mr. Thomson’s previous statement in reference to 
the cutting-down system inducing the fruiting of obstinate Pine plants. 
In 1855, while serving my term of apprenticeship at Cliilstone Park, I was 
ordered to cut down a lot of plants that had missed fruiting, in order, as 
was then thought, to facilitate the production of suckers, but to my surprise 
the plants started into fruit, and produced some of the handsomest and 
heaviest Pines we had there. I thank Mr. Thomson for bringing forward 
a subject of so much importance to the gardener. 
Lillesden, Hawkhurst. Thomas Record. 
FRUIT-TREE AND PLANT PROTECTORS. 
faE. RENDLE is well known to horticulturists as the originator of 
m I Tank system of heating plant houses. He now appears before the 
(^ofe) public as the inventor of a patent Fruit-tree and Plant Protector, 
which is fully described in a treatise recently published.* We 
propose now to notice briefly what these protectors are, and to 
what purposes they are said to be applicable. 
The Protectors consist of two parts—a solid durable opaque base, and 
* England a Wine-producing Country : being a treatise on the New Patent Fruit-tree 
and Plant Protectors. By W. E. Eendle. London: W. Allan & Co., Stationers’ Hall 
Court. 1868. A clearly-written and fully-illustrated treatise, of a highly suggestive 
character, well deserving consideration by those who are engaged in horticultural pursuits. 
