24 



2,500 to 12,000. Where it is desired to grow large fruit 

 for table use, the pineapples are commonly planted in 

 rows six feet apart and 20 to 24 inches in the row. On 

 some plantations the rows are four feet apart and the 

 pineapples two feet in the row. Where smaller fruit for 

 canning purposes is desired, the planting distance may 

 be 18 inches to two feet each way, in beds of four rows 

 with alleys between each bed. Another method of plant- 

 ing, which has been followed to some extent, consists in 

 arranging the plants in groups of two rows, two feet 

 apart, the groups being eight feet apart. Naturally, the 

 size of the pineapples depends somewhat upon the spacing 

 of the plants. Some of the canneries desire a fruit weigh- 

 ing from three to^four pounds, and bring about this re- 

 sult by close planting. Where wide planting is followed, 

 the fruit commonly attains a weight of six to ten pounds, 

 and sometimes, much more. 



The first crop of pineapples is obtained within 18 

 months to two years, and averages about ten tons. A 

 ratoon crop follows twelve months later, in which the 

 yield ranges from 15 to 20 ^*X)ns per acre. The cost of 

 production of pineapples is about $15.00 per ton, and the 

 cannery price is $20.00 er ton or more. The mainland 

 price for fresh fruit ra^nges from $80.00 to $150.00 per 

 ton. There are now" nine canneries in the Islands and 

 about $1,000,000 invested in the pineapple industry. The 

 acreage of pineapples is constantly increasing, and for 

 the past two or three years the output has been nearly 

 doubled each year. The Hawaii Experiment Station is 

 carrying on a series of fertilizer experiments with pine- 

 apples and is also investigating the cause of the yellow- 

 ing of pineapple plants, and the best methods of rotation 

 which may permanently maintain the adaptability of the 

 soil for pineapple culture. 



The prospects for pineapple culture seem good, despite 

 the complaints which are occasionally heard. Some fear 

 has been expressed that the market for canned pineapples 

 is not being developed as rapidly as the output of canned 

 pineapples. This market, however, when properly studied 

 seems to be almost unlimited. The whole west coast of 

 the mainland should be supplied with fresh pineapples 

 from Hawaii. The flavor of our fruit is far better than 

 that of the varieties which they now receive on the Pa- 

 cific Coast. There is only one factor wanting for the 

 successful occupation of that immense field for our fresh 

 pineapples; and that factor is a business-like co-operative 



