Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-01-30
PINEAPPLES IN FLORIDA.

In the northern sections Of what Is
known as east Florida a new trucking IN
dustry has recently sprung up. which IS
. destined 10 become quite an extensive and
profitable adjunct 20 the already well
known trucking interests in that part OK
the state
Progressive twentieth century investiga-
tors OF whom there are many down in the
Land OF Flowers" have demonstrated
by successful experiments that In the pro-
duction OF the luscious pineapple.it is no
longer necessary to establish pineries TAR
down in the more tropical climate Of the
Everglades I'm south Florida Even the
freezing temperatures which so often in
latter years sweep across the level plains
and fat woods country OF middle and
northern Florida are found 10 beJno bar
20 the production OF hitherto distincttVely
tropical plants. when intelligent and up
to-date methods are employed by the
truckers. Indeed, the time viii doubtless
come within the passing OF the next de-
cade or two when south Georgia farmers
viii. 10 considerable extent. at least. be
able 10 grow successfully for market dur
ing the winter months nearly every crop
now xrovn N the extreme tropical sec
tiors Of Florida. except oranges; and
there IS no good reason why oranges
should not be Grown in south Georgia I'M
der cover as successfully as they are now
produced I'm Florida. where the same artifi-
cial methods are being employed There
would be but a few degrees Of cold to
overcome. and the adoption OF artificial
heat and the canvas covering and enclos-
ure would secure success where natural
laws would render the undertaking i'm
possible
cultIvatIng Small Pineries.
During a recent visit TO Gainesville. Fla,
the writer took advantage OF an Oppor-
tunity while there to personally inspect a
small pinery. which was located within
the incorporate limits OF the city, and
covering about half an acre Of ground.
This pinery was under the management
OF Mr. Cannon the official head Of the
Florida Fertilizing company, and was
being Conducted as a small experiment
plant 20 demonstrate the practicability OF
rrzEwSsg pineapples for market as far
nEr4l as Alachua county. / am indebted
to- dr Cannon for much OF the informa-
ton contained in this article which he
courte0usly gave me in a short interview
on the subject. In selecting a location for
the growth OF pineapples. a light. porous
sandy soil Is best. Better success viii fol-
low where a thorough system OF irrtga-
ton can be had during the different stages
OF growth OF the plant. although the ap-
pies win perfect in dry soil
The land should be thoroughly prepared
By deep. close blowing and narrowed
down fne and smooth The rows should
be laid on q inches apart. and the sue
cors set out IS inches apart This VIII
give tire plants a distance OF lSx@1 inches
Amer the apple IS cut out number OF
Euccors or young plants put out, and these
are used 10 transplant for the next crop
the same as We set out potato slips. The
old plants will continue to bear, but the
fruit is not so sweet and juicy or as de-
sirable as that grown from the new stock.
The young plants or succors are shipped
from south Florida and cost ten cents
apfe--e Il requires about s. 40 plants 70
set out one acre OF land ~ planted the
distance apart as stated above Between
The middle OF April and the first Of June
Is the time selected r. which 20 put out
the young plants and the nrst crop OF
aupfes should be ready Tor market IN
Is months after planting In other words,
AZ requires a year and a half 20 mature
the fun grown plant and bear the apple
from the time the young plant IS nrst
rooted in the ground The plants In fertile
soil will grow 20 a heightn OF TOUR OF
i've feat and the apple Is formed on a
long shoot which grows out from the
side Of the parcnt plant The apples have
10 BE tied 10 bars arranged overhead 10
keen them from falling and breaking the
stem on which II grOws. as Il Is not
strong enough TO support the weight OF
the apple
Fertilization and Covering.
Heavy and continuous fertilization Is
reoufrea during the IS months growth
OF the plant The first year a fertilizer
containing a high percentage OF ammonia
20 push the growth OF the plant Is needed
and the last six months. or during the
DEVELOPMENT OF the apple. less ammonia
IS required and a heavier percentage OF
uhosnhoric acid should be used. The fol-
lowing formula the first twelve months
has been used 10 good advantage:
Phosphoric acid..-....-.---.------.5p per cent
Ammonia per cen :.
P0tasn.--.---.-----.--.-.. Per Se'NN'
The last SIX months reduce the ammonia
n about two per cent. and increase the
phosph0ric acid 20 70 per cent.
The phoSphoric acid Is derived from pure
ground animal bones steamed and eeci-
duIated. and the ammonia. from dried
blood. one ton OF this high grade fertil-
fzer should be used. brOadcasting por-
ton Of IL over the ground and around
the plants each month. working II IN
with a hand harrow or rake This gives
continuous working and stirring Of the
soil. At the approach OF cold weather a
wall ten feet high should be constructed
out OF plank enclosing the entire pinery.
and this should be covered over with a
frame work OF scantling nailed TO posts
set In the grounO within the enclosure al
stated distances apart The entire sides
and roof should then be covered with
strong canvass or tarred paper. so as
TO render the interior capable OF holding
the temperature at proper degrees by
means OF artificial heat whenever the
weather bureau announces the coming
OF a cold wave The pinery which Wis
tied was 80 constructed and my entrances
was made through a door on the south