The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1893-01-11
Pineapple Culture in DeSoto County.


The following paper on the cultivation
OF the pineapple was read before re-
cent meeting of Il e Avon Park Town
ship Horticultural Association by Mr..
VIM. King, and published in recent
number of The Pineapple. Mr.. King
said -
At the last meeting of this society /
was requested to make a report Oh the
pineapple and pineapple culture. Five
years ago last August [ planted the first
slips in Avon Park, just as an expert
ment, not knowing anything about their
culture or whether they would be sue
cess here. Since then L have cOntin-
ually been experimenting with them as to
the best fertilizers, culture, distance to
set out plants, etc. TO those who have
planted lately and those who contem-
plate doing SO in the future, l trust this
paLer will be of some benefit, for expert
menting costs time and money.
The two excellent papers on fruit cult
ure issued in this State weekly, viz, Farmer
and Fruit Grower and the Agrculturist,
have contained so many excellent letters
lately on the pineapple from such noted
z overs as Mr.. Richards, of Eden, and
Mr.. Beach of Melbourne. and others we'll
known in the business, that | feel rather
nervous on being called on by this sOci-
ETY. to give my little experiences, though
am quite certain that different soils re-
0uire distinct methods. Everyone agrees
on one fact-that the pineapple is one OF
our best paying crops, II not the very
best, when grown on a suitable soil and
in location free from frost. Our high
pine land here does not require the one
or two tons ofbone per acre that is sOwed
broadcast over the white scrub land be-
fore planting, and this is a great saving
of dollars. The land does not cost a
third per acre, but clearing is about
the same. Before planting all gopher and
other oak roots should be grubbed out.
OF course, it looks nicer if all the pine
stumps are taken out, but it is not abso-
lutely necessary. If you are planting a
quantity put them feet by 3 feet and
leave 6 foot space every now and then.
My old plants were put in by 2, rows
wide. Some of the plants are feet high
and cover theground 80 completely that
it an utter impOssibility tOget through
them. They were planted five years ago
last August. [ have reaped three crops
from them and am now gathering the
fonrth. The largest pineapplefrOm them
weighed 81 pounds; they generally run
from 8 to q pounds each. Ii you plant
between young lemon and orange trees
put them by 2 in four rows. My trees
are % feet apart. and [ am planting the
slips as fast AS the fruit ripans This
gives about 9A feet from stock of tree to
the slip. These will shade the land and
help the trees along. The fertilizer used
amongst them will also benefit the trees
as soon as the roots reach as far. They
will not damage the trees under eight
years, and by then you will have had six
crops OF pineapples, paying you big mon
ey for your capital and labor
Some growers say they make the land
poor, and that it is no use planting
again Oh the same land until the
soil has been renovated, All | know
is, where my old plants stand the
soil is now far better than when the
plants were first set out. In planting
some advIs pulling off the bottom leaves;
Others say there is no benefit in it. Ihave
planted both ways this season, and no
one could perceive the slightest advan-
tage in taking them off. To do it is GER
tainly tedious and expensive job. 1t is
customary on the Indian River to put
some cot ton seed meal in the bud Just af-
ter planting to keep out the sand. |
have not tried it, but ii any sand does
get in, use garden syringe and spray it
out; it does not take a second. Shallow
hOeing, to keep the weeds down and stir
ring thesurface SOIL is all theyOungplants
require. Don't interfere with them after