PINE APPLE. 



341 



2. Riplei/ P. — Is the broad-leaved, or old Ripley, 

 §0 called to distinguish it from other Ripleys, which 

 are inferior sorts. The habit of this is much like 

 the queen, and like it is an early and regular bearer. 

 The leaves are broad, mealy, spreading, thinly set 

 with spines. The fruit oval, more swollen in the 

 middle than the foregoing. The pips prominent and 

 pointed ; colour both externally and internally paler 

 than the queen, but has a very rich and plentiful 

 Juice. The average weight of this pine is about 

 three pounds, occasionally above four. 



3. Brown or Black Antigua P, — This is one of 

 the highly valued sorts. The leaves are very long, 

 narrow^ and of a dark green, tinged with pale purple, 

 and mealy ; spines strong, pips broad and flat. The 

 colour of the fruit is first very dark green, but 

 changes to yellow in ripening. The pulp is pale 

 yellow, tender, and abounding with Juice of excel- 

 lent taste and quality, especially if cut when begin- 

 ning to change colour in the summer months ; later 

 in the season, it should remain till it is quite yelloWo 

 The weight of the fruit varies from four to six pounds, 

 more or less, according to cultivation. This variety 

 of pine is apt to produce suckers under the fruit ; 

 these with care make good stocky plants, but while 

 on the stem they rob the fruit. 



4. Black Jamaica P, — This is a very fine but late 

 fruit, not ripening till winter, but even in that season 

 it retains its flavour. The leaves are very like those 

 of the black Antigua, but rather less keel-shaped. 

 The colour of the fruit is first dark brown, becoming 



