30 



plants are removed from the fields and i)artially rotted plants are 

 not replanted, even when enongh is left. It does look as though 

 there is something in such practice. I have a neighbor who 

 started at the same time as I did, who planted everything. He 

 is now buying plants from me in preference to using his own. 



Thorough preparation of the soil before planting pays. If the 

 soil is plowed several times, much harrowed, and well sunned 

 for some months, so much the better. This sunning is particu- 

 larly necessary on old grountl. The second planting is very sub- 

 ject to rot. Sunlight kills the Thielaviopsis spores if it can get 

 at them. 



The plowing, after the first breaking, should be deep, but not 

 into the subsoil, which is generally poisonous here. I have traced 

 pineapple roots twenty inches deep in good soil. The last plow- 

 ing should require little or no harrowing. The soil should be in 

 good condition by this time from previous work on it. This plow- 

 ing should just precede the planting. A test for fitness is the 

 ease of planting. A well harrowed piece of ground, but hard be- 

 neath, should be replowed. 



One effective method of loosening the subsoil is by dynamite. 

 I cannot say it pays to use it generally, but I suspect it does. 

 I have used it very successfully on a spot having an impervious 

 subsoil so near the surface that water ran on top after every 

 shower of importance. The cost is about $17.00 an acre. One 

 stick of 20% d}namitc is placed every twenty feet, about five feet 

 dowai and well tamped. I intend to use it regularly now. At least 

 it will help deepen the soil, and that is much needed in places. 



The growing of a legume to plow under greatly aids the second 

 planting, but it must be plowed under in time to rot and in time 

 to thoroughly work the soil — perhaps six months previous to 

 planting is not too much. There are lots of legumes for green 

 manuring, but some have root knot and are of questionable value 

 on that account. There are two fine growing dolichos beans 

 found wild here that are in this class. Crotalaria, or rattlebox 

 weed, that grows hereabouts is the best renovator I know. 

 Pigeon peas are good, but perhai'js a little coarse. 



l*"ertilizers so far have hardly i)n)ved worth while cii the tirst 

 crop, except on some l)ackwar(l spots. .Xjiparently they are almost 

 a necessity on second ])lanting, and are profitable iiere on ratoons. 

 I a])])ly a half ton to the acre, or more, usually more, using a 

 TManct |r. Xo. 20 fertilizer distributor, but I hojx.- for some- 

 thing better. 1 wouUl distribute broadcast but that this method 

 makes the detection oi mealy ])ugs more difficult. T.esides this, 

 our climate is pretty windv I'or it. In I'lorida acid phosphate 

 without lime is considered detrimental. < )n ( )ahu acid iihosjihate 

 is recommended for manganese soils, 1 nmUrsiand. Also in 

 l'"]orida certain combinations with sulphate of anunonia are con- 

 demned if not tlie material itself. Here iu Hawaii sulphate of 

 ammonia is usu.alK' reconinu ndcd. \ ronibin.ilion o| bldod. jxnir 



