Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1881-06-16
The Pineapple.


The pine apple, or ananas, (Andnassd
Sativa) is plant Of the natural order
Bromeliacee, justly highly esteemed for
its luscious and delightful fruit. It is
a native Of tropical America, and is found
in greatest profusion throughout the
West India Islands and in the sandy
maritime portions of the northeastern
part of South America. In these Sec
tions it was originally a wild fruit, but
has been greatly improved by care and
cultivation. 1t has gradually diffused
over tropical and sub-tropical countries,
until it has become naturalized in many
sections Of the world, notably in Asia
and Africa. Its strong, hardy nature
has enabled it to Withstand the unavoid-
able differences of its several new loca-
tions, until it has spread over nearly all
the warm, sandy countries on the face Of
the globe; while its delightful flavor
and refreshing moisture has made it a
wonderful favorite among all the nations.
The fruit is ''sorosis," formed by
calyces and bracts Of a close spike Of
flowers becoming succulent and COM
bined. 1t has number of long, SER
rated, sharp pointed, rigid leaves spring
ing from the root, in the midst of which
short fower-stem is thrown up, and
bearing thereon single fruit. From
the summit of the fruit springs crown,
or tuft, of small leaves, capable of be-
coming new plant it being propa-
gated, in cultivation, entirely by crowns
and suckers, as in high state of culti-
vation the perfect seed is almost never
produced.
In size the Pine Apple varies from 21
to IL pounds, and retains its flavor and
juiceness for an extremely long period
of time. In many countries, notably,
China, Japan and the PHILIPPINE Islands,
it's fibre is much used for manufacturing
purposes, the natives being peculiarly
skilled in this species of work. Exqui-
site ehandkerchiefs, curtains, shawls, etc.,
are produced, which command almost
fabulous prices among the more aristo-
cratic circles of Europe and Asia. In
this country no attempt of any magni-
tude has been made in this direction, its
utility from this tand-point being mat
ter for development at some future day.
In our home market, the 'Bahama
Pine Apple, is the favorite fruit, and
the demand and supply have been kept
at pretty even ratio. Immense quanti-
ties are processed and canned for ship
ment to all parts of the world, ard find
prompt and ready sale. In this pecR-
liar branch of trade our city has invaria-
bly, taken the lead, the reputation for
square and honorable dealing of fhermer-
chants has become worldwide, while
their goods are proverbially celebrated
for pureness, fine quality and reasonable
ness of price.
Nassau, in the island of New Provi-
dence, has always been considered the
most favorable point for the purchase
and shipment of Pines. The island
itself seems to bristle with them. On
every side as far as the eye can reach,
loom up the brilliant green, pink and
yellow apples, seated royalty upon their
cactus-like looking thrones, and diffus-
ing their delightful odor throughout
their surrounding neighborhood. On
some plantations from 10000 to $4,000
dozens are cut per annum, and dozens
Of cargoes are shipped to the various
ports of the United States and Europe.
Many are also packed and canned by the
producers, some parties shipping as
many as from 10000 to $4,000 dozen Of
cans of course these are the larger
dealers, but hundreds and hundreds of
negroes engage in the same traffic for
their account, and when their crops
ripen and become marketable, throng
the wharves and business places, offer
ing their stocks to the traders and buy
ers with perseverance and pertinacity
almost unendurable.
As regards their method of canning.
they are of course, greatly behind
the perfected and finished establish
ments, with which we are favored
here, and lack the requisite machi-
merry, and, in fact, the necessary
knowledge of detail required, in order
to elevate the business to the same su-
periority which it has acquired with us.
The skill and rapidity, however, of
the negro employees in pairing the fib-
rous, unyie1ding fruit, is something
wonderful in dexterity and manipulation.
After them come the ssslicers, who cut
the pines in regular slices and places
them properly in the cans, from whence
they are transferred to another depart
ment, there to receive their proper
quantity of pure, sweet syrup, which is
always Of the finest quality made from
pure rain water and the highest grades
Of sugar. The cans are then securely
sealed and soldered, weighed and passed
into the boiling room, in which are
great steaming cauldrons of boiling wa
ter, into which the cans are lowered bv
tackle of the most primitive and un-
pretending style. In this hot bath they
remain until the air within them is well
expanded-say some four or five min
utes, when they are re-hoisted, and O
small hole punctured in each, which is
Immediately soldered up again, as soor
as the confined air has had an opportu
nifty to escape, when they are agair
re-lowered into the boiling water and
allowed to remain until properly
cooked.
After the cooling, then comes the la
belling, which being finished they are
ready for shipment, and take their voy
ages to every port in the entire world
Hottentot and Malay, Arab and Turk
all extend to them hearty welcome
Their own merits speak for themselves
their delicate flavor and cooling proper
ties are unequalled by any fruit which
bounteous nature has so lavishly be
slowed upon mankind, and their cheer
ing presence upon the tables of ricl
and poor alike prove an acceptable ant
much coveted addition thereto.
None of us are perfect, and we hay
no right therefore to expect perfection
in others. So il you cannot speak vel
of your neighbors, do not speak of then
at all. A cross neighbor may be mad
kind one by kind treatment. Th
way to be happy is to make others hap
py. To do good is a luxury. If yol
are not wiser and better at the end. Q