Part 9

_General management._ Much the same as that of Mr. Andrews. Mr. Gunter tried to substitute the heat of steam for that of tan, as a bottom heat, but did not succeed. He formed a chamber, or vacuity of about six inches in depth, and covered it with perforated oak-plank; on this he placed the earth, in which, in some cases, he turned the plants out of the pots; and, in others, plunged the pots in the earth, or in rotten tan. The steam was admitted to fill the chamber; the quantity of heat imparted to the earth was very great, but, contrary to his expectation, no vapour ascended into the mould, which became excessively dry and husky; nor was he able, by frequent waterings, to keep it in a state fit for vegetation; the roots of the plants in it, in spite of every precaution, become shrivelled and dry.

_Insects._ None of any consequence have yet appeared at Earlscourt, nor is it likely they will ever become numerous there, while steam is used. Were they to become ever so abundant, keeping the air of the house filled with steam for two or three days together, would effectually destroy them.

_Fruit produced._ The object of every commercial gardener is to have some fruit ripening in every month of the year, but especially in winter, when the price is high. In summer great numbers are imported, or sent in from the hired-out gardens of country gentlemen, which greatly reduces the market value below the real value, or actual cost of production.

The Pine Apple is extensively cultivated by Mr. Grange, of Kingsland, and Mr. Wilmot, of Isleworth, in nearly the same manner as by Mr. Andrews and Mr. Gunter. Those of Mr. Wilmot’s are, at present, in the most luxuriant and prosperous state; Mr. Grange’s are also in a very respectable condition. In both, the plants are grown and fruited in pits, and larger houses, which resemble those of Earlscourt (fig. 12.) as nearly as possible; in both, also, the heat is communicated by steam.

SECT. XIV.

_Culture of the Pine Apple, by Mr. Isaac Oldacre, gardener to Lady Banks, at Spring-grove, Middlesex._

Mr. Oldacre is an excellent kitchen-gardener, and an ingenious and curious man. He was several years head-gardener at one of the Emperor of Russia’s residences near Petersburg, and has the merit of having introduced from that country, the German mode of rearing mushrooms. Having returned to this country about the year 1813, for his health, he some years afterwards became gardener to Sir Joseph Banks, in whose gardens he has cultivated the Pine Apple with moderately good success, and we have introduced this Section on purpose to notice some peculiarities of treatment which he adopts, and some strange opinions which he holds, or lately held.

_Form of House._ The plants are brought forward in dung, or tan-frames, or hot-beds, and also in flued-pits; but generally fruited in houses combining the culture of the Vine and the Pine. Mr. Oldacre has two of these houses, one is built of timber, in the usual way, (fig. 13.) and the other is of the same form, but roofed with copper sashes. A full command over the air of these houses is obtained by the returns made by the flue in the back path (_a_); the curb of the pit is about three feet from the glass in front (_b_); and about five feet from it behind (_c_); vines are trained up the rafters, but none are grown in the back path (_e_), which is paved.

In addition to the flues, steam is also employed as a medium of communicating heat. But the apparatus was erected chiefly as matter of patriotism, when steam first came in vogue, and is on a very imperfect plan, and of little real use. The boilers are placed over the furnaces, and the same fire which heats the water of the boiler, passes along the flue; the steam tube of the boiler is laid on the top of the flue, and extends no farther than it extends. It is evident, therefore, that scarcely any advantage can result from the use of the boiler, unless it be that the heat is thus sent more effectually to the opposite end of the house to that at which the fire enters, or that the vapour is very readily admitted from the steam-pipe to fill the air of the house. None of these advantages, however, will compensate the expense of the apparatus; the first is hardly wanted where houses are placed in a connected range, as the two outside ends of the houses are kept warm by the flues entering there; and in the other houses a warm end is placed against a cold one.

_Soil._ At first, Mr. Oldacre used good sound loam and dung, with a little sand, when he found it necessary; but he has for the last four years grown his fruiting plants chiefly in powdered bones, in which he thinks they thrive better, and produce more highly-flavoured fruit. We have not, however, been able to discover any thing in the appearance of either fruit or plants, to lead us to suppose that powdered bones are more congenial to the Pine plant than good loam and dung; his plants are certainly not equal to Mr. Baldwin’s, nor superior to those grown by Mr. Andrews, or Mr. Aiton. We, therefore, consider their thriving in this compost a proof more of the hardy nature of the Pine, than of any thing else; we have no doubt it would grow in powdered granite, or coal, or almost any powder, not even excepting gunpowder, if a due proportion of well-rotted manure were added, and water, heat, light, and air, duly supplied.

_General management._ In this, Mr. Oldacre has nothing particular; he is careful not to let the temperature of either frames or pits, containing Pine plants fall under 60° in winter, but is not afraid of a heat of 90° or 100° in summer. After shifting, and occasionally during very hot weather, he shades the plants in the frames and succession-pits, well knowing that the want of abundant and extended roots must lessen that supply of moisture essential to the vigour of plants, during high sunshine, when evaporation is so powerful. His fruiting-plants he keeps in large pots, rather broad than deep, and so liberally supplies them with water, that evaporation and transpiration go on even in the hottest sun-shine, without injuring the plants. He waters often with liquid manure, generally the drainings of dunghills; frequently steams the house by watering the paths and flues when the steam apparatus is not at work; sometimes he waters the plants over the top; and at all times he keeps up a good bottom heat.

It may be further noticed, that in the hottest weather, from June to September, he permits the temperature of the atmosphere of the house to rise to upwards of 100 degrees during the day, but leaves sufficient number of sashes open during the night, to lower the heat of the air within very nearly to that of the air without. This is perfectly natural treatment, consistent with what takes place in those countries where the Pine Apple is grown in the open air, and consonant with the practice of Mr. Knight.

_Insects._ These he keeps off by regimen, watering with clear water, and filling the house with steam. In short, Mr. Oldacre’s opinions and practices, as far as circumstances have required practice, are in perfect unison with Mr. M’Phail’s: and it is not, perhaps, too much to assert, that experience will bring every gardener to the same result.

_Fruit produced._ Mr. Oldacre considers that the fruit he produces in the copper-roofed house is never so high-flavoured as that grown in the other with a timber roof, though the treatment be in all other respects the same. This certainly appears a very singular circumstance, and not to be accounted for in the present state of human knowledge. The bars of iron, or copper sashes, might possibly (but not probably) make some difference in the electrical state of the air of the house, but this is the utmost degree of variation we can conceive a metallic roof capable of making. If it admits more light, or abstracts more heat, these are effects easily counteracted, if desired, and must have been so, if they existed in any degree, as Mr. Oldacre asserts the culture in both houses was exactly alike.

On the whole, we must suspend our opinion on this subject; or rather conclude that it is more probable, Mr. Oldacre is mistaken in thinking the culture he gives to the plants in both houses the same, than that the single circumstance of a metallic roof on one of them, should make such difference in its produce. This report, which had been made current at the Horticultural Society, excited the attention of Sir Thomas Baring, who, having an extensive range of metallic hot-houses, at East Stratton Park, his seat in Hampshire, soon afterwards sent a very fine Pine Apple to the Society, to be tasted at one of their meetings. At this meeting we were present, but though we tasted of this Pine Apple, yet not having sufficient opportunity of comparing it with any other, we could not discern any difference. When a great many fruits are tasted in rapid succession, and of each such small portions as hardly to afford its real taste, the impression on the palate is evanescent; or at any rate, it is not, perhaps, too much to say, that under such circumstances, it is difficult to form a solid judgment.

SECT. XV.

_Culture of the Pine Apple, by William Townsend Aiton, Esq., gardener to the King, at Kew and Kensington._

It is only within the last four years, that the Pine culture, in the royal gardens, has been above mediocrity; before 1817, and as far back as we have had an opportunity of observing, they were in a very poor state, those at Kew more particularly. At present, the Pines in both the gardens mentioned, are equal to any within ten miles of London; and, with the exception of the New Providence, Black Antigua, and some other sorts, are not surpassed, even by those of Mr. Baldwin. The culture pursued in the royal gardens, is as simple as it is successful; and as economical as if the fruit were grown for the market by a commercial gardener. The whole does the highest credit to Mr. Aiton, and those whom he employs.

_Form of House._ The plants are struck, and brought forward in pits, or frames, (fig. 14.) constructed exactly in Mr. Baldwin’s manner, with this difference, that the sub-soil at Kensington being moist, they are raised on a small platform (_a_..._b_) above the surface, instead of being sunk under it, as Baldwin’s are. They have, also, the addition of a gutter in front (_c_), which, though at first sight it may appear trifling, yet, in practice, is of very material consequence, by keeping the lining dry, and not chilling and interrupting the heat in the very part where it should penetrate to the interior of the pit.

Occasionally some plants are fruited in these pits, especially at Kew, but, in general, they are removed to a low house (fig. 15.) of a most economical and judicious construction, and calculated both for the growth of Pines and Vines. This house is fifteen feet wide within walls; the pit (_a_), is nine feet wide; the back path (_b_), forms a border for the roots of the Vines; the pit is surrounded by a flue (_c_, _d_); the curb, or plate is two feet three inches from the glass in front (_e_), and four feet eight inches from it behind (_f_); the Vines are planted in the back border (_b_), and trained under the roof directly over it and over the back flue; and others are planted in the front border (_g_); and trained up the rafters.

The length of the houses in the royal gardens at Kensington, varies from thirty-three to fifty feet (fig. 16.): each house has two furnaces, one for constant use, and another for giving an extra supply of heat in very severe weather. The first (_a_), proceeds directly to the front corner (_b_), thence along the front to the opposite end (_c_), then along the back of the pit (_d_, _e_), passing under the back path, or border, and terminating in a chimney (_f_) beside the furnace.

The other furnace is placed at the opposite end of the house (_g_); has a short flue under the back path, which conducts it to the back course of the principal flue (at _d_), which it joins, and the smoke of the two fires moves in the same tunnel, (from _d_ to _e_) and passes out by the same chimney. When this second furnace is not in use, its connection with the flue of the first is cut off by a damper at the point of junction (_d_). A very small fire made in this furnace in severe weather, not only adds to the heat of the house by its own power, but by increasing the draught, or rate of burning, of the fire in the other furnace.

In addition to the fire heat, a steam apparatus has been lately erected, and the tubes conducted round the houses on the tops of the flues (fig. 15. _d_, _e_); this is found to give a great command of heat, and also to admit of filling the house with vapour at pleasure. The height of the house from the ground to the top of the back wall, is only nine feet (fig. 17.); the rafters of the roof are placed about four feet apart, centre from centre; or about twenty-four sashes are given to every hundred feet; the front sashes (_a_), are only eighteen inches high, and slide past each other; the middle end sash (_b_), also slides; the sill of the door (_c_), and the back path, or border, are on a level with the outer surface of the ground, to admit the easy wheeling in of tan, &c.; the front border (_d_), is raised considerably above it, on account of the wet bottom; the back sheds are low and neat, and the furnaces sunk three feet below the surface (fig. 16, _h_ _h_) to give them a better draught; and this also serves to drain the back border.

The houses are placed in pairs, the furnaces for general use at the extreme ends of the range, and the auxiliary ones in the middle, where the steam-boiler is also placed, but worked by a fire apart.

On the whole, no plan of Pine-stove that has yet appeared, is more simple, neat, economical, and complete than this; the only fault we have to them, is, that owing to the great thickness of wood employed on the bars of the sashes, they are rather dark and gloomy within; but this might easily be remedied by the substitution of light iron rafters, with wooden framed sashes sliding in them, but the bars of the sashes formed of iron. It is true, gloomy as these houses are, the Pines thrive in them as well as can be wished, but probably by having more light, they might thrive, so as to surpass all expectation.

_Soil._ Good yellow loam, with a third of rotten dung, and some road grit to serve as sand. This is well mixed together, and passed through a wide screen, and the pots are well drained with three or four pieces of potsherd.

_General management._ This differs in little or nothing from that of Mr. Andrews; and only from that of Mr. Baldwin in the crowns and suckers being struck in pots, instead of the bark, as is Mr. Baldwin’s practice. Supposing the crowns and suckers potted in September, they are not disturbed till the following March; such as are very forward, are shifted at once into large pots, and will show fruit in the course of that autumn, or within the year, and ripen their fruit in November or December, very desirable periods for the royal table, equally expeditious, as in Mr. Baldwin’s mode, and more so than in Cuba or Jamaica. The plants which are in a less forward state are disrooted entirely, put into pots according to their sizes, nursed all the summer in the pits, and moved to the larger houses in autumn, where they show fruit at various periods, during the winter, and in the following season; thus ripening their fruit at different periods, from eighteen months to two and a half years, from the time they were taken from the parent plants. The pots in which these plants are fruited, seldom exceed twelve inches in diameter.

_Insects._ Various modes of getting rid of these was attempted both at Kew and Kensington; that which was finally successful was steeping for two or three hours in strong tobacco-water, as recommended by Miller; then washing in pure water two or three times--drying, planting, shading, and applying a brisk bottom heat, a moist atmosphere, and giving a little air. This recovered the plants, and future regimen continued them in the vigorous state of health in which they now are.

_Fruit produced._ The object, and it is most successfully attained, is to have handsome Pines on the royal table every day in the year; they cannot, of course, be very high-flavoured in the winter and spring months; but appearance, in some cases, is every thing--they look well, the golden hue of the Apple, mimic grandeur of the crown, and the presence of such a rare fruit at an uncommon season, accords well with the pomp and splendour of a royal table. As to flavor, indeed, by the time the desert appears on great occasions, the palate is generally seasoned with wine, and a few drops of alcohol are already transferred to the ventricles of the brain; when that is the case, every fruit has just what flavor it ought to have; for the fine phrensy of a warmed imagination knows no degree of merit but the superlative.

CHAP. V.

IMPROVEMENTS RECENTLY ATTEMPTED IN THE CULTURE OF THE PINE APPLE.

The Pine Apple has never been so generally cultivated in this country as it might have been, from an idea that its culture is attended with more difficulty and expense than that of all other fruits; and, also, from the circumstance of the greater number of gardeners being ignorant of its cultivation. With respect to the difficulty of cultivating this fruit, every gardener, who knows any thing about it, knows it is much easier grown and fruited than the cucumber early in spring, or the melon at any period of the year. In short, with the single difference of requiring an artificial temperature, it is as easy, or easier to grow than a common cabbage:--it is not nearly so liable to insects as that plant is in dry seasons; and of two plantations, the one of crowns or suckers of Pines, and the other of seedling cabbages, we may venture to assert, that more of the former will perfect their fruit than those of the latter will perfect their loaf or head.

With respect to the expense of cultivating the Pine Apple, it must be acknowledged that it is greater than that required to cultivate any other fruit; from the length of time requisite to bring it to perfection; the keeping up a high temperature during the winter months, and the unremitting attention required throughout the year. Another source of expense, and in some cases of difficulty, has been the procuring of tan, or other materials, to supply a bottom heat; and the last one that may be mentioned is, that gardeners who undertake to cultivate the Pine Apple, generally are paid a higher remuneration than those who confine themselves to the other fruits.

These circumstances have lately induced some amateurs, and also some practical gardeners, to devise means of simplifying the culture of the Pine Apple, and lessening the expenses attending it. The principal amateurs are T. A. Knight, Esq. the President of the Horticultural Society, and Peter Marsland, Esq. of Woodbank, near Stockport; the principal practical gardeners are Mr. Gunter, of Earlscourt, Mr. Hay, a Horticultural architect in Edinburgh, and some others, who have made less extensive trials.

SECT. I.

_Of the improvements in the culture of the Pine Apple, proposed by T. A. Knight, Esq. F.R.S. P.H.S., of Downton-Castle, Herefordshire._

Mr. Knight’s improvements consist chiefly in the disuse of bottom heat, and in the application of a much higher temperature during sunshine at all seasons, but especially in the summer season, and a much lower temperature during winter, and during the night, at all times, than is generally adopted by gardeners.

Mr. Knight had no experience in the culture of the Pine Apple till the year 1819. In that year, he informs us (in a paper published in the third volume of the Horticultural Transactions) that he tried the effect of a very high temperature during the day, in bright weather, and of comparatively low temperature during the night, and in cloudy weather. A fire of sufficient power only to preserve the house in a temperature of about 70° during summer, was employed; but no air was given, nor its escape facilitated, till the thermometer, perfectly shaded, indicated a temperature of 95°, and then only two of the upper lights, one at each end, were let down about four inches. The heat of the house was, consequently, sometimes raised to 110°, during the middle of bright days, and it generally varied in such days from 90° to 105°, declining during the evening to about 80°, and to 70° in the night. Late in the evening of every bright and hot day, the plants were copiously sprinkled with water, nearly of the temperature of the external air. The melon, water-melon, Guernsey lily, fig-tree, nectarine, orange and lemon, mango, Avocado-pear, Mammee-tree, and several other plants, part of them natives of temperate climates, grew in this hot-house so managed “through the whole summer, without any one of them being etiolated, or any way injured, by the very high temperature to which they were occasionally subjected; and from these and other facts,” Mr. Knight continues, “which have come within my observation, I think myself justified in inferring, that in almost all cases in which the object of the cultivator is to promote the rapid and vigorous growth of his plants, very high temperature, provided it be accompanied by bright sunshine, may be employed with great advantage; but it is necessary that the glass of his house should be of good quality, and that his plants be placed near it, and be abundantly supplied with sand and water.” In the above case liquid-manure was employed.

It is added, “My house contains a few Pine Apple plants, in the treatment of which I have deviated somewhat widely from the common practice; and I think with the best effects, for their growth has been exceedingly rapid, and a great many gardeners, who have come to see them, have unanimously pronounced them more perfect than any which they had previously seen. But many of the gardeners think that my mode of management will not succeed in winter, and that my plants will become unhealthy, if they do not perish in that season; and as some of them have had much experience, and I very little, I wish, at present, to decline saying more relative to the culture of that plant.” _Hort. Trans._ iii. 465.

The above information, the result of Mr. Knight’s experiments in 1819, was communicated to the Horticultural Society in the autumn of that year. On the 7th of March following, a paper was read to the Society on the same plants, of which the following is a transcript:

Of those gardeners who doubted whether the plants would stand the winter, it is stated, “The same gardeners have since frequently visited my hot-house, and they have unanimously pronounced my plants more healthy and vigorous than any they had previously seen: and they are all, I have good reason to believe, zealous converts to my mode of culture.