FIBER PLANTS 147 



Propagation. Pineapples are propagated in four ways: 



1. By seed, taking from 10 to 12 years before maturity. 



2. By the fruit apex, taking from 2 to 5 years before 

 maturity. 



3. By stem shoots, taking from 12 to 18 months 

 before maturity. 



4. By "root" suckers, taking from 8 to 12 months be- 

 fore maturity. 



Besides being slow, propagation by seed is uncertain, 

 and some of the finest varieties are seedless. Nine to 

 twenty shoots or suckers are formed by each mature 

 plant, on the stem above and below the ground. All 

 suckers which come from the stems below the surface of 

 the ground are called " root " suckers. 



Planting. The young plants should be set out in the 

 field in regular rows. They may be i meter apart in 

 each direction ; or, for convenience of cultivation, the 

 rows may be 120 cm apart, and the plants 80 cm apart in 

 each row. 



Pineapples for Fruit. When pineapples are raised for 

 fruit, the soil must be deep, rich, and well cultivated, and 

 never exceedingly dry. By good cultivation while they 

 are young, pineapples which would not weigh more than 

 2 kilos if uncultivated, can be made to grow to 10 kilos. 

 While the fruit is maturing, dry air and bright sunshine 

 are necessary to produce the finest odor and flavor. 

 Dust is very injurious; therefore, they must not be cul- 

 tivated except while young. Buds and suckers should 

 not be allowed to form before the fruit ripens. 



