t 



01 tlie Bureau of Plant Industry, by this time other hybrid fruits each 

 distinctly different had been received from the Experiment Station in 

 Florida ; that the flavour of several of the types was extremely satis- 

 factory. 



At Miami I visited the Government Experiment Station where these 

 fruits were grown, and saw the plant that gave the first fruit ; there 

 are about 300 hybrid plants altogether. Over a dozen had ripened fruit 

 by the middle of July, and many more were coming to maturity. Each 

 plant so far yields distinctly different forms, so that they will be numerous. 

 Some of course will be superior to others. Those that have fruited are 

 producing suckers for multiplication. It is also interesting to record the 

 fact thaj many of these plants are smooth leaved, spineless, an important 

 consideration from the grower's point of view, for it enables him to traverse 

 his fields with great facility as compared with struggling through the spiny 

 niasses of leaves. It is further interesting to relate that the acquisition of 

 smooth fo'iage was preconceived in the hybridizing operations, in view of 

 its advantageous results. It was a source of pleasure to me to behold these 

 precious achievements. In the near future we shall obtain specimens ; for 

 it may not be amiss to say, the Chief of the Bureau offered me most gene- 

 rously everything that can be spared by the Department. There can be 

 no doubt that these important acquisitions are destined to advance the 

 pineapple Industry and extend its popularity everywhere. 



I am glad to say I have received seeds from another source of rare varie- 

 ties which I have sown and hope to giow for further experimental purposes. 



At the station mentioned there are also many new types of hybridized 

 Oranges the merits of which are as yet unknown, not having borne fruit. 

 Guavas are also hybridized here and many other tropical plants are ex- 

 perimented upon. 



Pineapples in Jamaica. 



I'he number of fruits exported from Jamaica a rerage only about 65,000 

 a year. This is what Florida grows on 10 acres. Quite recently the 

 cultivation has received increased atttention and judging from tne area 

 planted at least 400,000 should be exported very soon. Even this num- 

 ber however is closely approximated by individual growers in Florida. It 

 will remain an insignificant industry until we export millions annually. 



Much of the cultivation is far from satisfactory. Small patches have 

 been successfully cultivated but I suspect there is hardly any cultivator of 

 an acre or two who has not been greatly disappointed. Probably we have 

 had about 100 acres in cultivation for years, yet the export figures only 

 show what is capable of being cultivated on 10 acres. The condition of 

 the soil in Jamaica is the perplexing element. This is the secret of Florida's 

 success. Intermediate between that barren sand and the ordinary soil of 

 Jamaica, we have to strike the best possible medium. In other words to 

 ensure success for this culture, the soil selected must be peculiarly sandy, 

 gravelly or rocky even to the extent of impoverishment in the natural sup- 

 ply of plant food, which deficiency can be advantageously added according 

 to the requirements of the soil. 



As stated, in Florida soil is the all important factor and in order to make 

 this cultivation successful in Jamaica on a large scale, soil is the impor- 

 tant consideration. 



There can be no doubt that the kinds best adapted to cultivation in Ja- 

 maica are the acclimatized varieties. The Smooth Cayenne, which by the 

 way I introduced to Jamaica 30 years ago, is less successfully grown than 

 the others. It seems to grow too luxuriantly, all into irank foliage. More 

 Bterile conditions of soil should remedy ' ' 



