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This fine fruit has been known here for about 200 years, but it is 

 only within the last 25 years that it has been cultivated to any exten t r 

 and within the last 5 years probably more time and money has be en 

 spent on this cultivation than at any previous period. 



From reliable information received on the subject, we estimate the 

 approximate area now under systematic cultivation at 200 to 250 acres, 

 and this is being rapidly increased. To this area should be added pro- 

 bably 20 acres grown in small irregular patches. This might be ex- 

 tended to an almost indefinite extent, if good and steady mrrkets were 

 found for the fruit produced. The most common varieties appear to 

 be Bull- head and Sugar-loaf, but under systematic cultivation they 

 come in the following order: — (1) Ripley, (2) Smooth Cayenne, 

 (3) Abbaka, (4) Bull-head, then follow small numbers of other sorts. 



The cultivation of the Pine- apple has never been in such a promis- 

 ing condition in Jamaica as at present. The industry is in the hands 

 of intelligent growers who are determined to do everything that is 

 possible and reasonable to make it a commercial success. 



"With at least one steamer per week to England, and usually several 

 steamers per week to various ports in the United States, there is every 

 reason to hope that the trade in Pine-apples will soon become of very 

 considerable importance. In addition to the export trade, there is a 

 good local demand for this splendid fruit, especially the delicious 

 Ripley varieties. 



Cultivation. 



The best soil for pine apples is a well-drained, sandy loam. Red 

 clay can be made suitable by thorough tillage, the addition of lime, 

 and artificial drainage. Pines are very impatient of excessive mois- 

 ture, and good drainage, either natural or artificial, is essential to the 

 successful cultivation of this crop. 



The site having been selected (it should, if possible be on sloping 

 ground), the land should be weeded and cleaned, then forked or 

 ploughed to the depth of a foot or more, the deeper the better, as every 

 crop benefits by deep cultivation. It should then be thoroughly broken 

 up by means of a cultivator or harrow, or both where these can be used. 



Where it is not practicable to work plough aad cultivator the As- 

 sam fork should be used, first to turn up the soil, then to break it up 

 fine. 



In districts where the average rainfall exceeds 50 inches per annum, 

 it is advisable to plant in raised beds. 



These beds should run in the same direction as the natural slope of 

 the land, and may be 10 feet wide, which will be sufficient space for 

 five rows of suckers 2 feet apart, leaving a margin of 1 foot on the 

 outside of the two outer rows. Between the beds there should be a 

 trench about \\ feet, wide which will serve as a drain, and also as a 

 path to enable workers to weed the beds without trampling them. 



In selecting suckers, take those that are 12 to 15 inches high. The 

 lower leaves should be pulled off, to allow the young roots to push 

 freely, and the base of each sucker ' should be cut crosswise with a 

 6harp knife, making a clean cut. 



Having prepared the land, and the suckers for planting, the beds 

 or grounds should be lined at distances of two feet apart, and the 

 suckers should be carefully planted at distances of two feet in the row^ 



