6 



ful for manure, and Mr. PALACHE lias ascertained from the experi- 

 ments that the complete manure. 2 cwt. sulphate of amonia, 4 cwt. 

 mixed phosphate, and 2 cwt. sulphate; of potash, applied to plot 2 

 gave the biggest fruit and fruit of the best quality. 



The analyses show that this soil is of low fertility compared 

 with the others. 



On the St. Catharine soil, 80* per cent, of the Smooth Cayenne 

 may be expected to produce monstrosities. The high content of 

 nitrogen (six times the normal and sixteen times that of the 

 Florida soil) is undoubtedly one of the chief causes of this extra- 

 ordinary vegetative exuberance." 



As has been mentioned pines are here usually grown without 

 manuring at all and it is perhaps noteworthy that the soils best, 

 adapted here or rather most largely used for pine cultivation are 

 remarkably deficient in potash and lime. It is however, to be 

 remarked that the pine lields of the Straits last a considerably 

 shorter time than those of the West Indies, and the field pine is 

 decidedly poor in flavour for dessert purposes though it seems 

 well suited for tinning. The ordinary resident is quite satisfied 

 with the tinning pine, although he often grumbles at the poorness 

 of its quality, and he does not seem to be aware of the fact that 

 a better class of pine could easily be grown here for direct eating 

 with very little trouble. 



The Chinese are said here to increase the size of pines by cutting 

 out the terminal shoot. This though producing a large pine dimi- 

 nishes its sweetness. 



Amount of Pines per acre. 



The yield of pines in a crop in the West Indies appears to be 

 in good estates from 8,000 to 15,000 per acre. In the Malay 

 Peninsula it is usually about 5,000. But much depends on the 

 growth allowed as explained above if all the suckers are left 

 on the plant they will all produce pines though small, while if only 

 one or two at most are left on the plant the pines are larger 

 and better. 



Cost of Pines. 



The cost of pines varies from time to time according to the 

 supply, which depends on the season and on the weather. In 

 Singapore pine-apples can be obtained pretty nearly always 

 throughout the year. At the present time they sell at from one to 

 seven cents each, but they are usually about four cents apiece. 

 Before the tinning industry developed the prices were very low. 

 Thus in 1850 (Logan's Journal III, p. 79) Mr. Thompson states 

 that they were sold at 10 for a cent. 



(To be continued). 



PLATES. 



Plate \, a Cart-load of pine-apple;; brought to the factory. 

 (Photo. A. D. Mac H ado). 



Plate II, Pines for tinning, Singapore. (Photo. A. D. MACHADO). 



