June  28,  1900. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
553 
Jottings  on  Pines. 
Though  British  Pine  Apples  are  discounted  by  imported  they  still 
hold  front  rank  as  most  ornamental — no  fruit  ornaments  a  dinner  table 
so  nobly — freshest,  most  temptinpr,  and  best  in  quality.  Of  course 
these  matters  depend  upon  the  growth  and  finish,  of  which  from  time 
to  time  I  propose  to  give  brief  explanatory  details  that  may  be  of 
service  to  young  gardeners,  if  not  to  old  ones. 
When  the  fruit  commences  to  ripen  syringing  the  plants  must  cease. 
fruit  is  sufRciently  advanced  in  ripening.  The  bottom  heat  should  be 
maintained  at  80“  to  90°,  but  the  more  regular  the  heat  at  the  roots 
the  better. 
The  weather,  though  bright  of  late,  is  not  yet  such  as  to  safely 
dispense  with  fire  heat,  but  it  will  not  be  required  much  longer,  as  the 
sun  heat  assisted  by  that  obtained  from  the  fermenting  beds  rarely 
allows  the  atmospheric  temperature  to  fall  below  65°,  which  is  more 
suitable  for  the  satisfactory  development  of  the  plants  than  a  higher 
temperature  from  fire  heat.  As  recently  potted  [plants  make  growth 
quickly,  strict  attention  should  be  given  to  ventilation  to  prevent  an 
attenuated  growth,  therefore  admit  air  at  75°  to  80°,  increasing  it  until 
Fjg.  150.— EHODODENDRON  PINK  PEARL.  (See  page  .549). 
but  the  supply  of  water  at  the  roots  should  be  continued  as  before 
whenjjnecessary,  not  being  too  liberal  or  the  fruit  may  become  black  at 
the  core.  To  improve  the  colour  and  quality  of  the  fruit  ventilate 
freely,  still  not  allowing  the  temperature  to  fall  below  80°  in  'the 
daytime,  gradually  diminishing  the  moisture  in  the  house.  Plants  of 
Queens,  Enville,  and  Providence  started  into  fruit  last  February  will 
ripen  this  month,  whilst  Smooth  Cayenne  and  Charlotte  Rothschild  will 
require  a  month  longer  to  finish  properly.  Under  the  same  condition^ 
they  furnish  a  good  successional  supply,  which  may  be  further  extended 
by  removing  some  of  the  fruiting  plants  to  a  cool  airy  house  after  the 
85°  is  reached,  and  above  that  ventilate  fully,  diminishing  in  the 
afternoon,  closing  the  house  at  a  temperature  of  80°.  Afford  a  light 
sprinkling  daily  in  the  afternoon  of  bright  days. 
If  a  sufficient  number  of  suckers  on  the  early  fruiting  plants  be  now 
selected  to  meet  the  demand  and  started  at  once,  the  plants  resulting 
will  be  suitable  for  fruiting  another  season  from  this  time  onwards,  and 
prove  supplementary  to  those  started  in  March.  The  suckers  require  a* 
low  and  moist  pit,  and  the  shading  at  this  time  of  year  must  be 
effectual,  gradually  withdrawing  it  as  the  plants  become  rooted,  this 
being  indicated  by  starting  into  growth  freely. — Practice. 
