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FERTILIZING PINE-APPLES. 



In the "Hawaiian Forester and Agriculturist" for May. 1911, 

 is an important article on fertilizing pineapples. A large series of 

 experiments were made by Carlton C. James, and the results are 

 given. The paper is too long to quote in full, but the deductions 

 from the experiments are that superphosphate, reverted phosphate, 

 and steamed bone meal, showed good results when applied. Super- 

 phosphate better when applied together with lime nitrogen is not the 

 dominant element in pineapple fertilizing. Of the three forms 

 studied nitrate of soda was the least productive of good results. There 

 was not much choice between sulphate of Ammonia and steamed 

 hoof-meal as nitrogen carriers. Of the potash salts the sulphates of 

 potash magnesia gave the best results, followed by sulphates of potash 

 and chloride of potash respectively. Fertilized soil lends to bring the 

 fruit to maturity from 2 to 4 weeks earlier than the unfertilized. 



It appears too, that the weight of the fruit is also increased by 

 the action of fertilizers. 



The Hawaiian Canneries accept pineapples weighing more than 

 three pounds at a general rate of 20 dollars a ton. The pines which 

 do not reach this minimum are left on the field or disposed of for 

 juice at half price. In the first check plot 1 1. 25 per cent of the pines 

 weighed ever three pounds, while all in the fertilized plots were over 

 the limit weight. 



In the Straits Settlements the pines are not fertilized, as they 

 grow so readily and are usually so cheap that it is unnecessary. A 

 few years ago the output was so great that there were many thou- 

 sands of pines more than the canners could use, and prices went 

 down so that the cultivation dropped and the result was a shortage 

 this year.— Ed. 



THE QUALITY OF PLANTATION RUBBER. 



' In recent numbers of The India Rubber Journal, Mr. L. Wray 

 contributes some interesting notes on the comparison of Fine Hard 

 Para with Malayan plantation smoked and unsmoked Rubber, and 

 the result of some tests furnished by the Continental Rubber Com- 

 pany of New York which we reproduce. 



As will be seen Brazilian Fine Para possesses little, if any sifpe- 

 riority over cultivated rubber cured in the sama way at the B jtanic 

 Gardens, Singapore. 



Mr. Wray also pointed out that a sample of unsmoked plantation 

 rubber gave better results than either of the smoked samples (the 

 particular unsmoked sample cam 3 from Glenealy Estate, Perak) this 

 however, should be qualified by Mr. Wray's note in the India Rubber 



