756 
THK  TROPICAL  AGRICULTURIST. 
[May  I,  1896. 
of  farming  for  which  the  soils  were  suitable,  and 
the  products  of  which  would  be  required  for  home 
manufactories.  On  the  other  h.tud,  the  C..loni:ils 
have  been  at  fault  in  contenting  ihemselvcs  with 
pracdcally  standing  still,  ti'oubling  themselves 
about  nothing  else  Dhan  growing  corn  and  breeding 
cattle.  There  is  not  a single  British  possession  in 
the  Tropics  or  in  the  Temperate  Zone  that  is  not 
suitable  for  one  or  more  fibre-producing  plants.  Both 
Canada  end  New  Zealand  can  grow  some  of  the  finest 
flax  in  tl  e world,  but  it  is  most  dillicult  to  get  people 
to  devi.te  a little  attention  to  the  matter.  It  is 
really  absurd  to  find  that  while  for  raw  flax  alone 
wo  pay  foreigners  more  than  £1.000,000  annually, 
our  Colonies  supply  less  than  £T,500  worth.  This  is 
certainly  not  as  it  should  bo,  hut  we  must  hope 
that  with  the  improved  prospects  of  tho  Bahamas 
other  Colonies  will  take  courage,  and  endeavour  to 
add  to  their  present  industries  those  which  will 
enable  them  to  compete  successfully  with  foieigneis 
in  the  English  markets. — Mornuuj  March  It). 
THE  PINE  APPLE. 
BY  MBS.  C.  T.  DBENNAN,  rdIBS. 
This  fine  tropical  fruit  neither  grows  on  Pine.s,  nor 
resembles  an  apple,  therefore  the  conclusion  isth.it 
tiie  name  is  conferjed  fiv  m its  resemblance  to  a 
Pine-cone,  though  much  larger  than  any  except  tho 
cone  of  the  long-leaved  Southern  Pine, 
Of  tropical  origin,  it  is  only  in  the  extreme 
Southern  limits  of  Florida  and  California  tho  fruit 
can  be  grown  in  the  oijen  air.  But  under  glass  it  is 
frequently  brought  to  perfection  by  those  who  de- 
the  tables  of  ibe  nobility.  In  our  own  country,  fruit 
of  all  kinds  finds  its  natural  element  somewbore,  in 
one  section  or  another.  Extreme  artificial  culture, 
such  as  the  English  people  bestow  upon  the  pine 
apple,  is  not  necessary  here,  as  exchanges  between 
sections  equalizes  the  supply  and  demand  of  all 
kinds  of  fruit. 
Profitable  culture  of  the  Pine  Apple  for  utility,  and 
on  a large  scale,  taxes  tlie  skill,  ingenuity,  and  watch- 
ful care  of  the  most  experienced  horticulturists. 
But  for  the  pleasure  of  seeing  a few  specimens  grow, 
as  decorative  plants  in  the  conservatory  of  the  ama- 
teur, not  more  extra  care  is  required  than  for  tropical 
Xjlants  in  general.  Experts  say  70°  or  100°  in  tho 
day-time,  and  70°  at  night  suit.s  the  Pine  Apple,  with 
strong  bottom  heat. 
The  Florida  Pine  Apple  grov/ers,  who  raise  thou- 
sands of  the  very  best  quality,  propagate  the  plants  in 
two  w’ays : One  is  from  tho  crown  of  leaves  on  tho 
top  cf  each  fruit,  the  other  is  from  the  side  shools  or 
suckers,  which  they  freely  produce.  In  either  case 
they  are  allowed  to  dry,  a few  days,  before  setting 
them  in  the  soil.  This  allows  the  scar  to  lieal,  w'here 
it  is  detached  from  the  plant  or  the  fruit,  and  prevents 
decay.  Like  the  Cactus,  the  Pine  Apple  roots  more 
readily  if  thus  allowed  to  dry. 
If  for  ornament,  plant  in  a liandsome  jar  or  pot,  in 
rich  earth,  well  watered,  .and  set  in  a w'arm 
place,  shaded  for  some  time,  till  well-rooted. 
The  long,  serrated  leaves,  resemblin'.'  tliose  of 
the  Aloe,  are  striking  in  appearance  from  the  first, 
therefore  it  is  well  to  select,  for  planting,  the  hand- 
somest crown  or  sucker.  Among  a dozen  Pine  Ap- 
ples there  will  he  some  natui-ally  fine  in  leafage, 
and  others  hs3  so.  The  plant  is  herbaceous  and 
will  put  forth  new  loaves  from  tho  centre  forming  a 
crown  until  the  second  or  third  year,  eccordirg  to  the 
variety  and  then  the  fruit  will  appear. 
Thorcsby  the  celebrated  antiquary  of  ijeeds,  who 
kent  a ieaf  of  the  Pine  Apple  in  his  museum  as  a 
curiositity,  described  the  fruit  as  a “pulpy  strobilus, 
composed  of  coadunate  sections,  and  crowned  witn 
n,  titlt  of  serrated  leaves.  ’ T is  was  m the  early 
nirt  of  the  eighteenth  century,  but  the  pyramidal 
shape  of  the  fruit,  and  tho  “coadunate  sections  ’ 
Arth  with  an  eye  have  not  changed,  although  the 
quality  of  the  favorite  varieties  of  the  present  clay 
]iiji,y  be  finer. 
The  several  varieties  are  alike,  in  main  charac- 
teristics of  delicate  golden  or  amber  fiosh,  of  ex- 
quisite nutty  fip.giance  and  iiidcsciibably  deli- 
cacious  liavor ; hut  in  size  and  manner  of 
growth  there  is  difference  enough  to  decide 
some  persons  in  favour  of  one  variety,  and  some  of 
another.  The  Bipley  Queen  of  our  markets,  simply 
the  “ t^ueen  ’’  of  English  growers  is  perhaps  the 
best  for  amateurs.  Like  the  exquisite  Sugar  lioaf 
it  is  golden  in  line,  and  very  sweet.  Porto  llico  and 
the  famous  Old  Jamaica  are  line  varieties;  For 
cultivating  among  decorative  greciihouso  plants  the 
Bed  Spanish  i.s  handsonielv  colored,  and  a fine 
grower.  It  is  the  comiiion  Pine  Apple  of  commerce, 
and  not  so  luscious  nor  sweet  as  Bipley  Queen  or 
Sugar  Loaf. 
Among  decorative  plants  the  Pine  Apple  never 
fails  to  attract  attention.  The  foliage  is  raiher 
stiff,  and  never  of  a bright  guen.  The  dull, 
hluish-greeu,  “ saw-tooih,’’  pointed  leaves  foim 
a crown  that  is  raiher  ijo-iuliar,  and  no:  ungraceful. 
Those  who  admire  the  Oentury-plant  will  admire 
tho  Fine  Apple.  It  has  more  pliant  grace  than 
the  Ai'jc,  a. id  is  more  delicate  in  structure,  how- 
ever. 
If  Pine  Apple  Pl.iuts  are  kept  groiciug  steadily  they 
will  fruit,  that  isBipIey  Queen  and  Sugar  Loaf,  in  about 
IS  months.  Two  years  is  ordinarily  tho  time  allowed 
for  the  common  lun  of  varieties.  No  Pine  Apple 
bears  more  than  one  fruit.  When  the  one  fiuit  ma- 
tures, and  is  cut,  depend  upon  new  plants  lor  more. 
From  the  crown,  or  suckers,  it  requires  to  be 
kept  growing  straight  ahead.  I’inctuating  degrees  of 
heat,  and  inconsistent  watering  the  soil,  will  tell 
upon  the  vigor  of  the  plant.  It  takes  a long  time 
to  tally  from  any  kind  of  a back-set.  Like  the 
orange,  b.iaana,  and  other  sub-tropical  fruits,  it 
i.s  easy  enough  to  cultivate,  but  resentti  neglect. 
Keep  it  growing  steadily,  by  rich  soil,  moisture,  and 
heat,  and  the  pine  apple  will  prove  an  interesting 
decorative  plant,  and  can  be  depended  upon  to 
peifect  fruit. 
At  e.xhibitions  a pine  apple  plant  with  a hand- 
some fruit  is  sure  to  have  ob.servcrs  around  it.  Few 
fruit-hearing  sub-tropical  plants  are  so  interesting. 
One  thing  in  its  favor  is  the  reasonable  size  at 
which  it  bears.  Planted  in  an  ordinary  tub  it  will 
not  e.xceed  one  and  a half  or  two  feet  in  circum- 
ference, and  three  feet,  or  perhaps  four,  from  the 
b.ise  to  the  tuft  of  leaves  that  crown  the  fruit,  in 
height. 
Before  closing  the  plea  is  entered  that  a dear  lover 
of  this  fragrant,  refreshing  and  wholesome  Queen 
of  the  Tropics,  be  allowed  to  call  attention  to  the 
manner  of  preparing  it  for  dessert  or  luncheon : 
Cut  stway  the  tough  peeling  deep  enough  to  remove 
tlie  base  of  the  eyes.  Then  with  a silver  fork  se- 
parately dislodge  each  section,  leaving  the  hard 
unnutritious  core  attachecl  to  the  tuft  of  leaves  on 
the  crown.  The  core  of  the  Pine  Apple  is  as  much 
to  be  rejected  as  tlie  cob  of  green  corn.  Sometimes 
it  is  sliced  through,  in  circular  slices,  but  as  this 
includes  the  core,  detracts  from  the  luscious,  as  well 
as  the  wholesome,  properties  that  lie  in  the  outer 
sections.  These  can  be  grated  or  sliced,  and  it  is 
there  the  sweetness,  the  fragrance,  the  flavor,  aud 
the  juice,  that  is  like  nectar,  are  nil  concentred, 
ripened,  and  perfected  by  tlie  alchemy  of  the  sun. — 
Shuifloirer. 
^ 
DBUG  BKFOBT. 
(From  the  C/ia.‘iisi  and  I)rugf//.st.) 
J.oiuloii,  .March  lOtli 
Oii.s  (I'ls.seiitial).— Ci'.roiiclla  uiialtereil.  At  auction  4 
(lnmi.s  from  (Uiloinho  were  bouglit  in  at  Zs  :M  )>er  Ih., 
ami  y ca.sc.s  of  Winter’s  hriuul'  realised  23d  per  oz. 
For  line  heavy  Cinnamon  hark  oil  4s  nor  oz  is  asUeil. 
Si;i;iis  (Variou.s).— Animtto-seeil  has  been  arriving  freely 
lately,  .and  at  auction  7.')  hags  were  placed  in  sale. 
For  line  briglit  Madras  hi’d  was  refmsed,  the  lot  being 
bought  in  at  8d  per  Ih.  tiood  bright  has  sold  latelv  at 
6id  per  Ih. 
TllF.  AMSTKHDAM  MAllKET. 
At  the  .lava  cinchona  auctions,  which  will  be  held  in 
Amsterdam  on  Mareli  2Gth,  lit;), 770  kilos  of  .lava  hark, 
representing  32,901  kilos  of  sulphate  of  quinine,  will  ho 
ollered.  Tlie  average  content  of  the  mumifactnving  bark 
is  5'44  per  cent. 
