132 



FLORIDA FRUITS. 



eton case, just large enough to hold it, the pin being first wrapped 

 in paper ; in this way it can be transported without risk of in- 

 jury. Extra choice fruit, such as we have described, is fre- 

 quently sold in London for from twelve to fifteen dollars each, 

 but usually the b^st prices obtained are from four to five dollars 

 each. 



The Florida grower h^ . not the incentive of such extraordi- 

 nary prices for his pines, but still there is profit enough, even in 

 the American markets, to induce careful culture and packing ; 

 and, therefore, he would do well to follow the example of the 

 Azorian grower. 



Pine-apples, growing as they do on a tall stem, must natu- 

 rally, as they grow large and heavy, incline to one side or other, 

 and finally, if not prevented, will lie prostrate among the leaves 

 or on the ground, exposed on the one side to rot from undue 

 moisture ; on the other, to sun scorch from the direct rays of the 

 sun falling on it while moist with dew or rain. The pine-apple 

 stalk should, therefore, be secured to a stake to keep the fruit 

 upright. 



In its wild state, when the ripe fruit falls over in this man- 

 ner, the several crownlets and slips at the base of crown and 

 fruit send down tendrils and take root ; and then, thus estab- 

 lished in life on their own account, they become detached from 

 the parent fruit. It is by this method that large tracts of coun- 

 try become run over ^vith pine-apples in a very short time ; in 

 the wild state, moreover, they ripen but once a year. 



When pine-apples are nearly ripe, and unusually wet 

 weather sets in, if is well, if possible, to shelter the fruit from 

 excess of moisture, as the latter at this stage of growth is likely 

 to cause blackness and acidity at the centre. 



It has also been noticed that when the long leaves of the 

 plant are drawn up around the pine, it colors better, and ripens 

 more evenly. 



