The San Francisco call., 1910-06-13
PINEAPPLE GROWING
ATTRACTIVE INDUSTRY
American Residents in Porto
Rico Grow Fruit

Writing from San Juan, John M. Tur-
ner, special agent for the United States,
says that shortly after American oc-
cupation of the island of Porto Rico the
apples was commenced by the Ameri-
can residents. Its development into an
extensive business is shown in his re-
port on the subject:
The island seems particularly adapted
to fruit growing, as there is a total abb
sence of frost; the north coast of the
island has ample rainfall, and the fruit
when grown is within easy reach of a
large consuming public. The growing
of pineapples was undertaken with
much yigor as it offered quick returns
Oranges and grapefruit do not give
returns of moment before the fifth
year after planting, while pineapples
will give returns in 10 to IA months
The native pineapple, known as the
Pan de Asucre," is very delicious
fruit, but SO delicate that it will not
stand shipping, so the growers gave
their attention to three varieties, the
Smooth Ceyenne." the "Cabezona" and
the red Spanish" The smooth ,Cey-
enne would not bear transportation and
it's growth has been practically aban-
doned; the Cabezona is grown sparing-
ly, but the red Spanish" is being
forced as offering the largest yield, the
fruit of inviting size to buyers
The Cabezona grows to very large
size, fruit weighing Il pounds not being
unusual apples of this size having
been shipped to the United States and
arrived in good condition, but the fruit
has to be handled so carefully to pre-
vent bruising that the expense per acre
is increased. yet the returns from the
fruit exported show enormous profits.
-.
profit in a good year from an acre of
Cabezonas is not less than $1,000.
The pineapple is grown from slips,
and these were imported from Florida
and Cuba during the development of
the industry, but for the last few years
the importation of slips has stopped.
the local growers having supplied the
demand. The price of slips was for
several years SIS ner 1000, and as each
plant produced from two to six slips
the returns were very large from one
acre of pines.
The returns were so large that many
of the insular government office holders
were attracted to the business and
small plantations were bought and de-
veloped while the owners attended to
their official duties.
The total acreage on the north shore
of the island exceeds 1000, and it is
DelDS Tapldiy cAleAuSu. hdnuS nave IN =
creased in value, doubled in some cases.
ouadrupled in others, yet it is pre-
dicted by those claiming to know that
the acreage devoted to pineapples will
shortly exceed 10000.
From the Rio Piedras district, within.
say, 10 miles of San Juan, the following
returns from one acre were obtained:
Expenses--One acre of land s1sn.
plowing and preparing same, SIS; 5000
Slips at SIS per 1000, $40; planting same
81; fertilizer. one ton. sac; cultivation
to fruit. $40; picking, packing 200
crates. $24. paper, crates and nails, s46.
hauling to San Juan. $40; freight Il,
New York, s62; total. s43s Returns
200 crates pines at So. $500: 16, 900 slips
at SO per / 1,0o0 $4S: plants remaining or,
land. SAT; value of land the same. $50:
total, s645. which leaves a net profit
per acre of $211.