22 



after gathering the fruit, and a second application should be given 

 about two months before these plants show bloom. This last fer- 

 tilization is especially valuable, as the size of the flower head deter- 

 mines the size of the fruit. Fertilizers should not be applied- at the 

 time the flower head is forming, because it is very tender, and chemi- 

 cals dropped into the heart at that time will often cause the fruit to 

 be stunted, crownless, or otherwise deformed. There is no objection 

 to fertilizing after the fruits have set. and a small application of 

 potash at that time may often improve the shipping quality of the 

 fruit, which might otherwise be too soft. 



The application following the harvest may be made so as to supply 

 6 pounds nitrogen, 8 pounds potash, and 4 pounds phosphorus per 

 1,000 plants in the following combinations: 



43 pounds dried blood. 



16 pounds high-grade sulphate of potash. 



29 pounds acid phosphate. 



Or 



60 pounds tankage. 



32 pounds low-grade sulphate of potash. 

 10 pounds basic slag. 



Or 



43 pounds cotton-seed meal. 



13 pounds nitrate of soda. 



16 pounds high-grade sulphate of potash. 



30 pounds steamed bone meal. 



The application before fruiting may be made so as to supply 4 

 pounds nitrogen. 12 pounds potash, and 4 pounds phosphorus per 

 1,000 plants in the following combinations: 

 40 pounds tankage. 



48 pounds low-grade sulphate of potash. 

 13 pounds basic slag. 



Or 



43 pounds cotton-seed meal. 



48 pounds low-grade sulphate of potash. 



10 pounds steamed bone meal. 



10 pounds basic slag. 



FERTILIZER FOR SOILS RICH IN NITROGEN. 



There are many localities in Porto Eico in which the pineapple 

 plant grows luxuriously, but produces small fruit. Usually, however, 

 when the natural conditions are favorable a large healthy plant will 

 produce a large fruit ; but if the soil is rich in nitrogen and deficient 

 in potash and phosphorus, the quality of the fruit will be inferior. 

 Frequent reports have been received of large shipments of fruit 

 arriving in New York with 75 to 90 per cent decay, while other ship- 

 ments on the same boat arrived with only from 5 to 10 per cent decay. 

 This may be, and often is, caused by excessive rains in the localities 



