48 THE FLORIST. 
my boyhood, the friend and faithful servant of my manhood, are you the 
next to sit for your portrait? I must have a new piece of canvass, and 
grind some fresh paints, for you! 
Syeda» 
PINE CULTURE AT THE ROYAL GARDENS. 
PRESS of matter prevented our noticing this subject in our last number. 
Our readers may probably remember our remarking, at p.65, 1858, when, 
alluding to the fine specimens exhibited at the Horticultural Exhibi- 
tion at St. James’s Hall by Mr. Ingram, that they had been grown on 
the open-bed system. During the last autumn we had the opportunity 
allowed us of examining the manner of culture practised at the Royal 
Gardens more closely; and, through the kindness of Mr. Ingram, 
have permission to lay before our readers particulars of the very simple 
and economical principles by which the culture of the Pine has been 
brought to such success. 
The pit in which the plants are fruited is of the ordinary shape, with 
a double sash roof 12 feet wide inside, 7 feet high at the back, and 3 
feet at the front. There is provision made for a dung lining at the 
back of the pit, which, however, we were told was very rarely used. 
The pit is heated by hot-water pipes running along the front walls, to 
keep up the necessary temperature when required. The whole interior 
of the pit is appropriated to the plants, and is therefore occupied by the 
bed for the leaves to supply the bottom heat, which is 6 feet deep. 
The leaves are those of the Beech and Oak, used as they are collected, 
after having lain in a heap to get warm, whereby they are more easily 
compressed together when placed in the pit, a matter of importance, as 
it prevents their settling down too much, and also helps to preserve a 
steady uniform heat for a long time, which a body of leaves 6 feet in 
depth will maintain for 20 months if required, if put into the pit in 
good condition and made firm. When the bed becomes warm up to 
the surface, ridges of good yellow loam, formed of decayed turf, are 
placed 50 inches apart, and rather more than a foot in depth at the 
deepest part. ‘The reason for ridging up the loam, instead of placing 
it evenly over the surface, is merely to economise the loam. On these 
ridges the Pines are planted, having been taken up from the succession 
beds by lifting them with a fork, and carrying them to their new 
quarters, spreading out their roots, and covering them with a few 
inches of loam pressed firmly over them; and the work is finished by 
giving the surface of the bed a moderate watering, to settle the earth 
about the roots. When once planted out, no further care as to bottom 
heat is taken with them; the deep bed of leaves over which they 
grow is sufficient to supply them with bottom heat during their growth 
and fruiting, and has even been known to ripen off two crops, though 
this is not recommended. The roots soon begin to spread themselves 
through their border, and extend themselves several feet in a horizontal 
direction. After a time they take to the leaf bed, the upper surface of 
