176 FLORIDA FRUITS PINF.-APPLES. 



In its wild state, when the ripe fruit falls over in this 

 manner, the several crownlets and slips at the base of crown 

 and fruit send down tendrils and take root ; and then, thu,s 

 established in life on their own account, they become de- 

 tached from the parent fruit. It is by this method that 

 large tracts of country become run over with pine-apples 

 in a very short time; in the wild state, moreover, they 

 ripen but once a year. 



When pine-apples are nearly ripe, and unusually wet 

 weather sets in, it is well, if possible, to shelter the fruit 

 from excess of moisture, as the latter, at this stage of 

 growth, is likely to cause blackness and acidity at the 

 center. 



It has also been noticed that when the long leaves of 

 the plant are drawn up around the pine, it colors better 

 and ripens more evenly. 



