PINEAPPLE rn/riRE IN SOITH AFRICA 



number 1 peg as base. Now if the angle set is ;l true right angle, 

 the distance between the peg at number 15 mark, and number 

 o peg will be 50 feet; if it is more, the second line must be 

 shifted in until it is correct, in other words :\. 4. and 5, or the 

 multiples thereof, will give a true right angle ; after this is 

 satisfactorily settled, the other end is treated in the same 

 manner and we now have two parallel lines at .'JOO feet, apart. 

 With a tape measure held by two men, stakes are placed along 

 each of these lines at the distances apart at which it is intended 

 the rows should he. if 5 ft., then every five feet. if 2 ft., then 

 every two feet. Two men or more now walk along with spades, 

 and insert same into the ground against each of the solder marks 

 on the first line, and the spade is then pressed away from the 

 line leaving a small opening sufficient to insert the plant. 

 Plants are then inserted and the soil pressed with the feet so 

 as to entirely fill the cavity made; care must be taken not to 

 insert the plant so deep that the soil can be washed into the 

 heart. The line is then shifted over to the next two pegs and 

 planting continued in this manner. Care is taken that the 

 line is always stretched to the same side of the pegs and that 

 the holes are also always made on the same side. Planting 

 is not a slow process if plenty of hands are available. One 

 should remain at each end of the line, three or more should 

 make the holes and a like number plant, with sufficient help to 

 bring along the plants. 



WASTAGE OF TIME. 



A good deal of time can be saved by having two lines with 

 solder marks on. Thus, whilst the planters are inserting 

 the plants on the first line, the diggers are preparing 

 the holes on the second line, and as soon as the first line is 

 planted the two hands at the end of tfce line can remove it 

 and stretch it for the third line. In the closer planting, at 

 distances of two feet by two feet, some 18,809 plants can be 

 planted on an acre. This, however, entails considerable diffi- 

 culty in harvesting the crops in cultivation and the thinning 

 of suckers. 



THE SYSTEM MODIFIED. 



A modification of this system is sometimes adopted in order 

 to make the handling of the crop an easier matter, viz., the 

 omission of every fifth row. This enables the workers to pro- 

 ceed along such pathways and reach over to the inner row from 

 either side; in other words the bed consists of four rows of 

 plants, with a four feet footpath between each bed. This latter 

 method of planting is advisable in the cases of such Pines as 

 Smooth Cayenne which, owing to the great weight of the fruit, 

 frequently topples over allowing the fruit to become sunburnt 



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