ow 

 THE CULTIVATION OF 



AND OTHER 



By Robert Thomson. 



Having recently visited Florida, on acconnt of Messrs. Elder, Dempster 

 & Co , for the purpose of acquiring information relative to the methods of 

 pineapple cultivation so successfully [jpursued in that State, I have the 

 pleasure to report accordingly. 



In addition to Pineapples I embraced the opportunity of investigating 

 other important cultures in Florida capahle of being turned to good ao 

 count in Jamaica. 



The resourcefulness of , the people there in developing new industries 

 greatly impressed me throughout.my trip. They have little beyond tropi- 

 cal sun and sand at their disposal. For success they depend upon their 

 characteristic energy, industry and perseverasoe With these traits they 

 transform the barren resources of the soil. 



Before leaving for Florida, I called at Washington, where I had the 

 honour of an interview with the Honourable James Wilson, Secretary of 

 Agriculture in the Cabinet of Mr. McKinley (with the Secretary I may 

 mention I had reoentlj been in communication relative to the cultivation 

 of new products.) I was welcomed with the utmost consideration and in- 

 troduced to the Chiefs of Bureaus of the Department, eminent Specialists, 

 who most generously placed at my disposal every source of information. 

 Professor Webber, the well-known expert on hybridization, prepared my 

 itinerary with references to the leading eultivators in Florida, whom he 

 thought might be most useful to me in my line of investigation. It is 

 only necessary to say that the exceptional attention I recei*Fed everywhere, 

 placed me in a position to acquire valuable information. In this connec- 

 tion I wish to offer my sincere thanks to Professor B. T. Galloway, Chief 

 of the Bureau of Plant Industry as well as to Professor Webber. 



OBLANDO the first pineapple region I visited, is situated on the most 

 northern latitude at which pineapples are grown in Florida. 



Until about 12 years ago the pineapples were cultivated in the open 

 without proteotioB, but the recurrent frosts rendered the cultivation too 

 iirecarious, for the slightest tonoh of frost ruined a year's crop, 



