The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-09-12
FINE PROFIT ON PINES
DATA ON THE INDUSTRY IN \
SOUTHERN STATE.
Under Sheds in Florida Women in
the business -Poiuters for Hawaii
No Failures Noted.


ORLANDO, Flaw me the keys and
islands of Florida have been largely oc-
cupied 10y pineapple growers for years,
Orlando has become the center of the
cultivation of the larger and finer va
rieties of this lucous fruit.
Until within few years the fine
varieties were only grown by II few,
who were willing to bestow unusual
care and considerable expense upon
them. in order to secure the finest that
could be produced The first plants
were imported at considerable expense
and in order to protect them against
injury by frost in winter they were
planted inside a tight board enclosure,
the top of which was covered with
Stats of lumber three inches wide,
space of equal width being left be
tween them to admit sunlight and
rain.
Experience showed that the fruit
produced under this half-shade was of
n higher flavor, and contained less
woody fibre than the same variety
grown in the open air. At the same
time the fruit attained a greater size.
These facts being established, those
who undertook the cultivation of the
choice varieties adopted the half shade
plan. While the expense was greater
the results fully justified the outlay.
Until enight or nine years ago no
one thought of engaging in pineapple
growing under this system as "a bust
ness. Those who produced the fine
| fruit found ready market for their
surplus, and always at fancy prices.
One to three dollars each were fire.
quntly realized for the large specimens
weighing from five to ten pounds.
George j. Russell was the first man
in this vicinity to drop all other under
takings and go into the business as a
commercial industry. He began on a
small scale. He could not secure the
plants to make a large beginning. But
as his plants increased he added to his
area. He soon found himself in posses
sion of a comfortable income, and
from very limited area of land. When
his plantation had been extended to
three acres, he sold in one year fruit
and plants enough to amount to up
fever: plants were in demand; and the
pineapple industry began to assume
proportions. Thousands of plants were
imported from the Azores, and those
who had a small patch found ready
market for every young plant they
could produce.
Two years ago there were two OF
three plantations equal in size to Mr.
Russell's, and a number of smaller
ones from a few yards in extent to al
acre or more each.
. Then in the winter of 1S94-05 came
the freeze that struck so hard blow
to the orange industry of Florida. II
spite of the protection of the sheds
the pineapple plants were killed to thu
ground, and it was believed that tn,
last one of these choice plants wa
gone beyond hope. Prospective for
, tunes were swept away in singh
I night, and thousands of dollars wort
of late fruit were destroyed.
This was only year and a half age
The resurrection has been marvellous
Although killed to the ground, tn
roots lived and in Il month yOuni
shoots began to appear. Where
single plant had stood half a doze
sprouts appeared. Hope was revive
t and the pineapple men went to worl
n As the young shoots attained sutticien
size they were taken off and reese
They made a rapid growth, while tn
old roots kept on producing youn
plants. Today the business is restored
new plantations have been set on
others are projected. The earlies
plants are fruiting beautifully, an
the pineapple men are riding the cres
of the wave.
A representative of the News recen'
S ly spent couple of days among tn
Orlando pneries. What he saw was
. revelation. Henry Beeman, who own
u the San Juan hotel, has a beautifr
place two miles out on lake from
He began his pineapple business seve
years ago with 237 plants. He no.
r has an acre and half enclosed, unde
which are about 1000 fruiting plant
Il On some of these the fruit is alread
?. well grown, while others are just b'
ginning to show the brilliant color
in the crown, which precedes the con
ing of the fruit bud. These lateS
- ones will mature next winter, givin
" winter fruit. Mr.. Beeman has sol
z hundreds of dollars worth of youn
plants and estimates that he will hay
hNv