the CC P. A It E V I E \v 



11 



PINEAPPLE CULTURE IN CUBA 



By Alvin Fox, Horticulturist on Tropical Plants. 



The pineapple is grown for export In Cuba, it thrives best in a sandy Loam, but it 

 is frequently grown in heavy clay also. The main requirement is that the soil musl be 

 well drained, and where it is not naturally so the plants are usually set In ridges. It 

 is propagated from slips, the small plants on the fruit stalks or from suckers, the 

 plants growing in tin- leaf-axils of the ther plant. These are sot at distances varying 



A Group of Red Spanish Pineapples 



from 12x12 inches to 24x24 inches, according to the variety of pineapple. 



The varieties usually cultivated are the Red Spanish, Smooth Cayenne, Sugar 

 Loaf and Porto Rico (Cabezona). The Red Spanish is nearly always planted for 

 export, as it is hardy and a good shipper. The Smooth Cayenne is not grown very 

 extensively in the West Indies, but is grown somewhat under shade in Florida and 

 Panama. It is a very large and fancy fruit, bringing a good price, but it is more 

 difficult to grow than the Red Spanish. The Cabezona is grown especially in Porto 

 Rico ; also in some of the British Islands under the name of Bullhead. The Sugar 

 Loaf is grown everywhere for home consumption. There are a number of other 

 varieties grown in different localities, but most of them are of no commercial im- 

 portance at present. 



Great care must be used regarding the good flavor and the shipping qualities. 



