25 



who brought in the first plants or where they were brought from, but 

 in 1905 and 1906 large shipments were made from Florida and some 

 from Cuba. Some have been brought in from other of the West In- 

 dies, so that at present there are a number of strains, but these are not 

 distinct and can not be readily distinguished. Changes due to soil, 

 cultivation, and climate are often greater than the strain difference. 



In general the fruit of Ked Spanish is small to medium, somewhat 

 cone-shaped, and of medium quality. Ofttimes the fruit is so short 

 compared to its diameter that it has a flattened appearance. The 

 eyes are relatively quite large, and when ripe have a bright, clear 

 red color. The plant is vigorous, but not as large as the Cabezona. 

 Its leaves are reddish green at tips, changing to a bluish green near 

 base. They should be quite wide relative to length, and with heavy 

 thick base. The fruit breaks off clean and close to base, and with 

 little danger of being injured. Just before blooming the center turns 

 bright red, thus affording an indication as to time of fertilizing for 

 fruit. 



The plant quickly shows poor growing conditions by turning red- 

 dish or losing color and becoming yellow. It is very susceptible to 

 the soil conditions and to methods of culture and fertilization. It 

 slips well and thus propagates rapidly. Data from many fields show 

 an average of over five slips per plant, and the writers have often 

 counted twenty and more slips, suckers, and rattoons on a single 

 plant. This rapid multiplication, together with excellent shipping 

 qualities, make the Red Spanish the great commercial variety of 

 the present, though many others surpass it in quality. 



Aside from these two leading varieties, there are a large number 

 of native and introduced forms. At the station some twenty and 

 more introduced and selected varieties are being tested and a number 

 of seedlings are being grown, but thus far none give promise of soon 

 replacing the Red Spanish and Cabezona. Some of the new varieties 

 produced on the experimental grounds at Miami, Fla., far surpass 

 all other varieties, and one selection made by this station, a variegated 

 Cabezona, gives considerable promise for a fancy decorative pine, 

 but it will be many«years before these can be produced in quantities 

 sufficient to supply the markets. 



Since conditions govern size, quality, flavor, and even form, it is not 

 profitable to enter into the description of any of these many varieties. 

 When some variety becomes prominent enough to become a com- 

 mercial possibility, then will be time to give a full description. 



FRUITING. 



The time necessary to produce a fruit depends upon many factors, 

 some of which can be controlled, while others can not. The con- 



