THE CUBA REVIEW. 



ONE-YEAR OLD PINEAPPLE! PLANTATION AT CAIMETO, CUBA. 

 Single row and ridge system tried here. Orange trees in background. 



There are many different ways of planting on the level culture system. The single 

 row method gives good results and reduces the hand work to the limit. The rows are 

 usually laid off s feet apart and the plants are set lo to 12 inches apart in the rows. 

 Most of the work can be done by horse cultivation. Some growers prefer to plant two 

 rows close together, with only from 14 to 16 inches between them, and then a wider strip. 

 Others use the regular bed system of three to four rows from 18 to 22 inches apart and 

 the plants from 14 to 18 inches apart in the row. Walks and openings are left around 

 the beds, so as to get in around them. Most of the work in the walks and openings 

 can be done with a cultivator, but all the rest by hand. 



There is very little doubt that level culture is going to very largely supersede the 

 ridge system of culture, especially for the lighter lands and such of the heavy ones as 

 have quick and easy drainage. 



PICKING, GRADING AND PACKING. 



There is practically no month in the year when a few pineapples cannot be taken from 

 a field that has had good care, but the principal shipping season usually comes during the 

 months of March, April and May. Some years a few are ready earlier and again the crop 

 is later, according to the season. 



In picking pines great care should be taken to see that each fruit is fully developed 

 and matured before cutting. There has been and is still too much immature 'fruit cut and 

 shipped from this country for the best interests of the industry. According to' Hume, the 

 following changes may be noted as the fruit becomes fully developed : 



"Just before the pineapple reaches full maturity it is a dark, black green in color and 

 the eyes are somewhat pointed and angular. As it matures the eyes flatten down some- 

 what in the center and become slightly elevated around the margins, while the color 

 changes to a very pale green. The opening and spreading of the crown may be taken as 

 one of the best indications of maturity. To the veteran picker the length of the fruit stem 

 and the size and length of the slips are a good general guide to the stages of maturity. 

 As the fruit ripens the stem elongates, the slips grow rapidly and their leaves spread out. 

 In looking for evidences of maturity the basal eyes of the fruit should be closely exam- 

 ined, as the pineapple ripens from the base upward, as well as from the core outward." 



