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cane, it grows in hot and moist groundes, and the best are those of 

 the islands of Bartovente [Greater Antilles]. 



In 1622 Dr. Heylin states that they " were sold at sixpence per 

 piece." 



Hans Sloane, who visited Jamaica in 1689, says in his " Natural 

 History of Jamaica": " This fruit is planted and used by way of dessert 

 (having a very fine flavour and taste) all over the hot West Indies, 

 and either raw, or when not yet ripe, candied, and is accounted the most 

 delicious fruit these places, or the world affords, having the flavour of 

 raspberries, strawberries, &c, but they seem to me not to be so ex- 

 tremely pleasant, but too sour, setting the teeth on edge very speed- 

 ily." The fruit seems to have been poor, but new and better varieties 

 were scon produced, for Patrick Browne in his " Civil and Natural 

 History of Jamaica," published in 1756, gives the names of three 

 varieties and says of the first that some " think it too rich ahd cloy- 

 ing." His statement is as follows : — 



" The Sugar Loaf Pine-Apple — This plant is now common in Ja- 

 maica, and cultivated by most people in their gardens : it is propagated 

 both by the crown and the sprouts or side branches, but these come to 

 perfection earlier, though the other seems the most natural gem, as it 

 always casts its roots in the fruit itself, while yet in a growing state : 

 they thrive best in a rich mould and a warm situation, but seldom 

 rise above three feet from the ground ; the stalk shoots from the 

 centre of the leaves (which are generally disposed very thick about 

 the root) and bears a large single fruit, or rather a heap of small suc- 

 culent capsulse, concreted into a common mast towards the top; but 

 the fibres of the main stem continue their course through the centre 

 of this mass, and in most species, turn into a short foliated sprout, or 

 young plant, at the top, casting a few tender radiculi on every side, 

 into the pulp of the fruit 



" This has been always esteemed the richest and best fruit in 

 America ; aud indeed its form, size and flavour contribute alike to give 

 it the pre-eminence ; it is in general 8greeable to the stomach : but 

 the natuial mellowness of its juice renders it more agreeable to the 

 natives and old standards, than it possibly can be to new-comers, who 

 generally think it too rich and cloying. The following sorts are 

 thought to be only variations of this, but they are seldom so luscious, 

 grow generally of a different 6hape, and are vastly more agreeable to 

 heated stomachs. The juice fermented would make a good wine; it 

 is sometimes mixed with the rum liquor, when it ferments, and is 

 thought to give it pleasant flavour ; it is served up with other fruit at 

 most gentlemen's tables in America. 



" The Black Pine-Apple. The Queen Pine-Apple. — These two last 

 species are more common than the first, and planted in most gar- 

 dens in this country , their fruit is generally large and roundish but 

 grows seldom yellow r , even in the surface, nor is the pulp of the fruit 

 so rich though generally more agreeable to new-comers, and people of 

 a warm habit." 



In the " History of Jamaica" by Edward Long, published in 1774, 

 the following varieties are mentioned : — 



" The bog-walk pine, of a compressed form, and deep green coat, 

 white flesh. 



