38 



prices the income will be a valuable factor, for, counting three slips 

 to the plant, 9,000 plants should give 27,000 slips, which at even $5 

 per thousand would mean $135. Adding this to our fruit returns 

 we have a very safe estimate of $478.50 as returns the first year, 

 leaving a profit of $175 to $225 per acre. This should be greater 

 the second and third years, for there will be no new slips to buy and 

 no bedding. Cultivation and fertilizers will cost a little more, but 

 the total expense incurred the second and third years should be 

 from one-fourth to one-half less than for the first crop. 



As said elsewhere, it is not certain as yet under our conditions 

 how long a pine field may be continued, but it is possible that three 

 to four years will be the limit. Every fourth year the expense of 

 preparation, bedding, and planting will recur, but the chief item, 

 that of slips, should still be eliminated, as, once established, a plant- 

 ing should furnish more than the amount of slips needed to con- 

 tinue it. 



In conclusion, then, we are probably justified in saying that under 

 normal conditions a pineapple plantation is not merely a good prop- 

 osition, but ranks among the very best paying of the agricultural 

 industries of the island. Given the right manager and the proper 

 soil, success can reasonably be expected. 



DISEASES AND INSECTS. 



With a soil properly drained and with good culture, few plants 

 are as free from pests and diseases as the pineapple. It is almost 

 axiomatic that trouble with pineapples means bad management. The 

 troubles thus far known are chiefly due to one of three things : First, 

 an ant and its associate, a mealy-bug; second, wilt; and third, spike. 



The station has published a circular on the ant and mealy-bug, 

 with methods for extermination (Circ. Xo. 7), which may be had 

 on application, so the subject will not be discussed here. It may be 

 said in passing that if in applying fertilizer it is mixed with one- 

 third to one-fourth of its bulk of tobacco dust, or even if tobacco dust 

 alone is thrown in the crown, it will usually prevent the appearance 

 of these pests and will ofttimes cure incipient attacks. The tobacco 

 dust also acts as a fertilizer and as a stimulant to the plant, making 

 it a valuable help to the pineapple grower. In using the dust its 

 value lies in its freshness and strength. It will keep for long periods 

 where it is dry, but leaches quite readily and ferments if allowed to 

 get wet. 



AVILT. 



The disease known as wilt is quite easily recognized, and if taken 

 in time may be controlled.- Apparently it is transmitted from one 

 generation to the next, so slips from infected plants should never be 



