A crate holds 18 large fruits, next sizes 24, 80, 36, 42 and 48. Average 

 size 30. The 48's are so small that they are hardly worth shipping. Be- 

 fore packing each fruit is wrapped with paper. 



The average amount netted per acre is ahout $400, " We have had from 

 one acre of pines contain ing 10,000 plants 250 crates averaging 30 to the 

 crate, or 7,600 pineapples, netting us over transportation, commission, &c. 

 $2 per crate or $500 for the acre." Others state that 100 o/o profit is 

 realized. 



The importance of ammonia and potash are constantly discussed, and 

 potash applied at the fruiting season is said to improve the keeping quali- 

 ties of the fruit. The fertilizers are mixed by the grower to suit his own 

 opinion as to the relative merits of each ingredient. Certain fertilizers 

 are simply thrown over the tops of the plants, but wherever practicable 

 between them. The cost of fertilizer ranges from about $50 to $100 per 

 acre per annum . 



Many vegetable forms here are purely tropical, including some of our 

 West Indian species, intermingled with scrubby oaks, &o. Innumerable 

 trees were completely destroyed by the great freeze that swept desolation 

 ■ over Florida. The cool winter season here, barring frost, is quite favoura- 

 ble to many tropical plants. This is accentuated by the cloudless sky. 

 The rainfall averages about 60 inches Amongst tropical fruits that flour- 

 ish here may be mentioned the mango and the avocado pear. This indi- 

 cates the nature of the climate The characteristic vegetation is the 

 spruce pine and the beautiful palmetto which is distributed in vast num- 

 bers. Thus the two great representatives of northern and southern 

 latitudes appear in companionship. 



Besides the open system of pineapple cultivation so eKtensively carried 

 on here, the Orlando shed system has been inaugurated since the great 

 freeze of 1895, and so successfully that there is already about the same 

 area of sheds as at Orlando, about 200 acres, and they are in point of size 

 much larger here. Dozens of acres are being extended at a cost of more 

 than $300 per acre. Peaches thrive in the sheds but not outside. The 

 Jensen (Indian Eiver) growers cultivate the red Spanish pine under sheds 

 in oontra-distinction to the Orlando growers with their smooth cayenne. 

 As already stated frosts are less frequent and less severe than at Orlando 

 but the temperature falls to danger point under 40° from time to time, 

 when the plants begin to suffer. No canvas covering or fires are used 

 here. It is found that on a cold morning, the sheds conserve the tem- 

 perature to the extent of a few degrees. This is important in itself, but 

 other great advantages accrue by the adoption of this great plant grow- 

 ing contrivance. The Eed Spanish plants grow far more luxuriantly 

 therein, the fruit is one third larger and it is decidedly improved in fla- 

 vour, and the plants are cultivated with considerably less fertilising in- 

 gredients. Fruit burning is also obviated. Careful observation of the 

 open fields and of the shedded fields side by side, conclusively prove the 

 far greater luxuriance and more perfect cultivation under the latter. The 

 adoption of this system of cultivation is quite as important for the Ked 

 Spanish variety as it is for the Smooth Cayenne. 



The shed method has thus brought to light new cultural possibilities 

 of the pineapple. Darkness during several months of winter at Orlando 

 does not interfere with the perfect cultivation of the plant. Interrupted 

 sunshine throughout the year by means of sheds for both varieties, en- 

 hances the luxuriance, productiveness, size and flavour of the fruit, and 

 the cost of fertilising is materially reduced thereby. One great grower to 

 whom I was referred by the Department of Agriculture informed me in 



