o< MONTHLY. I>o 
XXI. COLOMBO, MA.Y 1st, 1902. No 11. 
PINEAPPLES, ORANGES, CASSAVA, 
MANGOES, &c. 
EEPOBT ON THE CULTIVATION OF 
PINEAPPLES AND OTHER PRODUCTS OF 
FLORIDA. 
By Robert Thomson. 
(Formerly SupeHntendeat of the Botanic Gardens of the 
Gooeriiment of Jamaica, now Advi- 
ser to Messrs. F.lder Dempster S Co. on 
the ctdlivation of Fruit and 
other products.) 
AVING recently visited Florida, 
on account of .Messrs, Elder, 
Dempster & Co., for the purpose 
of acfiuiriug iuforniation rela- 
tive to the methods of pine- 
apple cultivation so successfully 
pursued in that Stale, 1 have 
the pleasure to report according 
ly. In addition to Pineapples I embraced the opportunity 
of investigating other important cultures in Florida 
capable of, being turned to good account in Jamaica. The 
resourcefulness of tjie people there in developing new 
Industries greatly impressed me throughout my trip. 
They have little beyond tropical sun and sand at their 
disposal. For success they depend upon their charac" 
teriatio energy, industry and perseverance. With 
these traits they transform the barren resources of 
the soil. 
Before leaving for Florida, I called at Washington, 
where I had the honour of an interview with the 
Honourable James Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture 
in the Oibinet of Mr. McKinley (with the Secretary 
I may mention I had recently been in communication 
relative to the cultivation of new products.) I was 
welcomed with the utmost consideration and introduced 
to the Chiefs of Bureaus of the Department, eminent 
specialists, who most generously placed at my disposal 
every souixe of information. Professor Webber, the 
well-known expert on hybridization, prepared my 
itinerary with references to the leading cultivators in 
Florida, whom he thought might be most useful to me 
in my line of investigation, It is only necessary to say 
that the exceptional attention I received everywhere, 
placed me in a position to acquire valuable informa- 
tion. In this connection I wish to offer my sincere 
thanks to Professor B. T. Galloway. Chief of the 
Bureau of Plant Industry as well as to Professor 
Webber. 
Ohi/ANDo the first pineapple region I visited, is 
situated on the most northern latitude at which pine- 
apples are grown in Florida. 
Until about 12 years ago the pineapples were culti- 
vated in the open without protection, but the recurrent 
frosts rendered the cultivation too precarionS; for the 
slightest touch of frost ruined a year's crop. 
My references for Washington included one to the 
pioneer of a new system of pineapple cultivation 
Acres of sheds were, constructed by this pioneer (Mr^ 
Russell) and he commanded success. This system of 
cultivation is now exclusively adopted at Orlando, 
partly to afford protection from frost and partly to 
gcreen the pineries from the burning sun. Thus nu 
merous pineries, ranging in size from one to tvfelve 
acres, are closely boarded all round 7 to 8 feet high. 
At regular distances posts are placed some 12ft. apart> 
on which are fixed connecting rods ; on these are 
placed narrow rafters, between each of which a space 
similar in width is left for the admission of light- 
Through these spaces the light is admitted in glitter- 
ing rays of sunshine, ample, it is abundantly prove''' 
for the well being of the plants. A still more remark. 
