The different modes of cultivating the pine-apple: From its first introduction into Europe to the late improvements of T.A. Knight, esq. — John Shaqi
The different modes of cultivating the pine-apple: From its first introduction into Europe to the late improvements of T.A. Knight, esq.Loudon, J. C. (John Claudius)
History
The different modes of cultivating the pine-apple: From its first introduction into Europe to the late improvements of T.A. Knight, esq.
Loudon, J. C. (John Claudius)
Pineapple
“In the summer season, when the weather is warm, the plants must be
frequently watered; but you should not give them large quantities at a
time: you must also be very careful that the moisture is not detained in
the pots by the holes being stopped, for that will soon destroy the
plants. In very warm weather they should be watered twice or three times
a week; but in a cool season, once a week will be often enough; and
during the summer season, you should once a week water them gently all
over their leaves, which will wash the filth from off them, and thereby
greatly promote the growth of the plants. During the winter season,
these plants will not require to be watered oftener than once a week,
according as you find the earth in the pots to dry: nor should you give
them too much at each time; for it is much better to give them a little
water often than to over-water them, especially at this season.”
_Insects._ After describing the white scale or mealy pine-bug (_coccus
hesperidum_, L.) he says, “wherever these insects appear on the plants,
the safest method will be to take the plants out of the pots, and clear
the earth from the roots; then prepare a large tub, which should be
filled with water, in which there has been a strong infusion of
tobacco-stalks; into this tub you should put the plants, placing some
sticks across the tub, to keep the plants immersed in water. In this
water they should remain twenty-four hours; then take them out, and with
a sponge wash off all the insects from the leaves and roots, which may
be easily effected when the insects are killed by the infusion; then cut
off all the small fibres of the roots, and dip the plants into a tub of
fair water, washing them therein. Then you should pot them in fresh
earth, and having stirred up the bark-bed, and added some new tan to
give a fresh heat to the bed, the pots should be plunged again,
observing to water them all over the leaves (as was before directed),
and this should be repeated once a week during the summer season; for I
observe these insects always multiply much faster where the plants are
kept dry, than in such places where the plants are sometimes sprinkled
over with water, and kept in a growing state. And the same is also
observed in America; for it is in long droughts that the insects make
such destruction in the sugar-canes. And in those islands, where they
have had several very dry seasons, they have increased to such a degree
as to destroy the greatest part of the canes in the islands, rendering
them not only unfit for sugar, but poison the juice of the plant, so as
to disqualify it for making rum; whereby many planters have been ruined.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account