The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1880-12-29
The Pineapple. No III.
DkG Citizen

The native country of the pine-ap-
ME is the tropical parts OF America
and adjacent islands, and also sup
nosed. from their abundance, indigen-
Gus to similar parts of Asia. They
are unusually abundant in the vicinity
of Singapore, and throughout the
MALAY Peninsula, and it is thoaght,
bv those best informed, tina. there
they attain their greatest luxuriance
and produce the highest standard OF
all the wild forms OF this plant. They
are to be had tor the gathering
where they grow, and in the market
are one OF the cheapest and most
abundant commodities.
The New World being their home,
Trinidad, Brazil, Venezuela, Cal acoas,
Costa Rica, etc, all claim precedence
in producing the best; and some OF
the varieties from these countries are
severally distinct, and known by dis
tinctive names by importers OF the
fruit in this country.
A good deal may be said in favor
of growers here getting plants from
these countries to the tropics, both
north and south of The Equator, and
this part OF the subject will treat in
future numbers.
Naturally, or acclimated, where
growing in a wild state, the pine
apple gives a preference to the
verge outskirts and the openings III
the forests and jungles, and along he
pathways and roadsides, where arbor
eous vegetation is sparce. AbanG-
oned clearings are quickly over run,
and it is only found whore water does
not stagnate or lie on the surface.
Humidity becomes lis nature, still it
is found where a dry atmosphere
prevails. And then only mingling
with promiScuouS mass Of shrub
berry and flowers that form almost
an inpenetrable underground.
1t enjoys partial shade from the
lofty and open foliage trees, and par
ticuJarly delights in the associations
of palms. In the East Indies the
Cocoa nut, Betal,nut, Date and Pal
mvra Palms have the ground they
shade carpeted by living verdure
of pine apples in all stages of ripen-
irg.
.g~-.eAs,.to-th the fruit ripening in their
wild state, the season occurs only
once year and lasts two or three
months, and IL India fruit, four to six
pounds III weight, can be purchased
at the bazars tor cents, or less, each.
Preserving fruit there is little
thought OF.
Dense shade does not appear TO
suit the pineapple, and where it Is
thus placed in nature it blanches, the
leaves are longer, more brittle, and
snap when bent; they become shy
in towering and, consequently, less
fruitful the :ruit, however, it rapidly
and well developed, sometimes
heavier, more juicy and melting, Oft
ener containing seeds, than i'll the
cultivated state, but is again wanting
in aroma and flavor and is more scat
1ering in its production.
NUMBER III.
The Pineapple plants taken from
its wild habitats and cultivated in
tropical gardens and farms, change
IN appearance is speedily effected after
planting; the greater exposure to sun
shine, the working of the soil, the cir
culation of air, all give solidity TO its
structure and so concentrates all the
available good qualities that wild
pineapple thus treated really becomes
a valuable and appreciative fruit.
Still in Asia at least dependence IS
not placed on this means OF forming
plantation, it being the custom and
preferable for cultlvat0rs 10 use varl-
cues Of repute produced by plants al
ready III cultivation ahd these are
grown and known by local names by
wonders OF plants TO-. sale. Culllva-
tors there are awake 10 their interests,
and strive when there is a better type
Ill existence to obtain ii. The excel
lence OF approved over wild forms OF
the pine apple is apparent at sight hy
growers III a more sturdy and we'll
defined, rotund and rigid Lablt oil
growth, a shorter and stouter stalk
which holds the apple in more erect
position until maturity, Il tirmer and
more solid flesh in the fruit, i'll COM
bination with other attributes III re
gard TO flavor, size, color, weight,
etc. the differ, ut varieties severally
possess.
The proximity to market weighs
greatly with growers III the tropics,
and the only reason why there are
growers, where iFnit is SO abundant
uLAArMlSn I'M LIS Wild stata Is 1 haI lii..