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.
14
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.