PINEAPPLE. 



368 



PINEAPPLE. 



the loam, and all other food is supplied 

 afterwards, just and only when it is wanted, 

 in a liquid state. 



Sorts for Cultivation. Secure some 

 good Queens of any approved variety, and 

 some black Jamaicas for winter ; as many 

 Providences as room can be found for, with 

 a few Montserrats, and these are all that 

 are required. For the general crop nothing 

 equals the Queens. Providences are the 

 next best, and by far the noblest of all. 

 See that the plants are perfectly clean and 



TYPE OF PINEAPPLE. 



healthy, rather than large, when they are 

 purchased. When pines once get infested 

 with white scale or mealy bug, they are 

 useless. 



Planting. Turn the plants carefully 

 out of the pots, plant from 3 to 5 feet 

 apart, according to the sorts, size of plants, 

 &c. Providences require most space. Un- 

 wind as many roots as possible -without 

 breaking the ball too much ; earth up the 

 stem as high as the good, sound, healthy 

 leaves (those that are otherwise should be 

 removed) will allow you ; leave a hard, 



smooth surface, water with water at a 

 temperature of 80, and the work is com- 

 plete. Plants thus bedded out will not 

 require watering nearly so often as those 

 in pots ; and if the entire surface be 

 mulched over with cocoanut- fibre refuse, 

 a good soaking once a month, in the grow- 

 ing season, will probably suffice. It is 

 probable that, with generous treatment, 

 most of these plants will fruit within 

 eighteen months of the time of planting. 

 Suckers. When the fruit is cut, let the 

 leaves be as little injured 

 as possible. With amazing 

 strength and rapidity, two 

 or three suckers will spring 

 up, and grow with the great- 

 est vigour. One only should 

 be left, the others may be 

 either potted for succession 

 plants or be thrown away. 

 From a period varying from 

 six to twelve months from 

 the time of cutting one fruit, 

 another will be ripe on the 

 same stool. 



After-Treatment. As the 

 young plant on the stock 

 advances, the old leaves on 

 the latter may be reduced 

 until all, or nearly all, are 

 removed. At the same time 

 the roots should receive a rich 

 top-dressing of the same material in which 

 they grow ; thus nearly eight inches will 

 be left on the surface at planting, so as 

 to allow two or three inches of fresh dress- 

 ing to every new crop. This is essential, 

 as, from the suckers possessing a self- 

 elevating power and proceeding from a 

 few inches of the bottom of the stool, they 

 could not have an independent support 

 from the soil unless it was raised up with 

 them. After a few years it may be neces- 

 sary to remove the entire bed bodily, and 

 begin at a lower level afresh. There can 



