THE PINEAPPLE. 681 



a happy mean. Countries, even through frostless, where 

 summers are cool, are unfavorable. Where there is sufficient 

 heat, but occasional frosts and even light freezes of a few 

 hours duration in winter, pines have been found to "do very- 

 well when planted under partially open screens. In parts of 

 Florida where such conditions prevail, they are successfully 

 and extensively grown under these structures, composed of a 

 cover of thin slats set a few inches apart, and supported by 

 posts and cross-pieces six feet above the ground and eight or 

 ten feet apart from each other. Thus sheltered, no effects of 

 frost will be seen, even when a thin glaze of ice forms out- 

 side, and in a hard freeze the damage will be greatly lessened. 

 The covering also serves as a protection against the rays of a 

 sometimes too ardent sun, besides preventing excessive evap- 

 oration of moisture from the ground. Even where there is 

 no need of erecting these sheds to keep off frost, the plants 

 have been found to g^row more luxuriantly under them than 

 in the open air. This seems reasonable when we reflect upon 

 their surroundings in a state of nature, where they flourish 

 under the shade of lofty forest-trees, falling over as the fruit 

 ripens, and the offsets rooting in the cool and mellow soil. 

 Farther north, where these screens would be inadequate, a 

 temporary scaffold, built lower and just over the plants, and 

 covered with straw or matting during cold weather, will be 

 found an effectual safeguard. During intermediate warm 

 periods, this can be partially removed or lifted to let in light 

 and air, and after winter has passed taken away entirely. Such 

 an arrangement will answer a good purpose where one does 

 not care to go to the expense of glass, and it is surprising how 

 easily, in mild latitudes, a liberal supply of excellent fruit 

 can be thus obtained. 



Soils. — Although the pineapple seems to prefer a light and 

 well-drained sand, rather poor than naturally rich, it will grow 

 in a great variety of soils. Damp and heavy ground is uncon- 

 genial. It flourishes on the rocky limestone formation of the 

 Bahama Islands and Florida Keys, and in the loose sands of 

 the interior, but does not thrive where there is a large admix- 

 ture of small or broken shells. Like.a air-plant, it is able to 

 endure long-continued droughts without much harm, but 

 plenty of water is necessary while the young sets are rooting, 



