Changes

__NOTOC__{{Plantbox

__NOTOC__{{Plantbox

| name = ''Ananas comosus''

| name = ''Ananas comosus''

With conditions of soil as described above, it is imperative to fertilize, and under the existing conditions in the pineapple belt there is no other remedy than the addition of commercial fertilizers, and nothing better. While much is still to be learned about fertilizing this crop, it is fairly well established that for pineapples on spruce-pine land, dried blood, ground bone, and nitrate of soda are good sources of nitrogen; that low-grade sulfate of potash, carbonate of potash and high-grade sulfate of potash are good sources of potash; that acid phosphate should be used in small quantities only or avoided, using pulverized bone instead. A good plan for fertilizing is to drop a small handful of cottonseed meal into the bud immediately after setting out. In October, apply about 600 pounds blood and bone and 400 pounds low-grade sulfate of potash (not kainit) to the acre, or the equivalent of these fertilizers in some of the forms mentioned above. A second application may be made the following February; at this time the amount may be increased 10 to 25 per cent, according to the growth the plants have made. A third application may be made in June or July; and if the plants have grown vigorously a still further increase in amount may be made. A fourth application may be made in October, increasing the amount if the plants have grown vigorously. The succeeding applications may be made at the tune suggested above, and the increasing and decreasing of the amounts may be determined by the progress of the plants. As the average spruce-pine pineapple land is not sufficiently fertile to grow a full crop of pineapples, much more depends upon proper fertilizing than any other one operation.

With conditions of soil as described above, it is imperative to fertilize, and under the existing conditions in the pineapple belt there is no other remedy than the addition of commercial fertilizers, and nothing better. While much is still to be learned about fertilizing this crop, it is fairly well established that for pineapples on spruce-pine land, dried blood, ground bone, and nitrate of soda are good sources of nitrogen; that low-grade sulfate of potash, carbonate of potash and high-grade sulfate of potash are good sources of potash; that acid phosphate should be used in small quantities only or avoided, using pulverized bone instead. A good plan for fertilizing is to drop a small handful of cottonseed meal into the bud immediately after setting out. In October, apply about 600 pounds blood and bone and 400 pounds low-grade sulfate of potash (not kainit) to the acre, or the equivalent of these fertilizers in some of the forms mentioned above. A second application may be made the following February; at this time the amount may be increased 10 to 25 per cent, according to the growth the plants have made. A third application may be made in June or July; and if the plants have grown vigorously a still further increase in amount may be made. A fourth application may be made in October, increasing the amount if the plants have grown vigorously. The succeeding applications may be made at the tune suggested above, and the increasing and decreasing of the amounts may be determined by the progress of the plants. As the average spruce-pine pineapple land is not sufficiently fertile to grow a full crop of pineapples, much more depends upon proper fertilizing than any other one operation.

This plant is propagated by means of crowns, slips, suckers, and rattoons. The crown is the leafy part of the fruit as found in the market. Just below the fruit small plants form, which are left in the field when the fruit is gathered; these are known as slips. In the axils of the leaves buds occur; those that develop near the ground make strong plants in a few months and are known as suckers. (Fig. 2952, after Wester.) A strong plant will mature an "apple" in June and produce two to five suckers by the middle of September. Buds that develop from an underground part and form a rootsystem independent of the parent plant are known as rattoons. Crowns are not planted extensively, as they remain on the fruit when marketed. Good strong suckers are usually employed for planting out. Rattoons are left in the field to replace the plants which have borne a crop, but they are not sufficiently numerous to make a full stand; hence some of the suckers must be left also. Slips require a year longer than suckers to mature a crop. According to Webber, it requires ten to twelve years to mature a plant from seed. Plants are raised from seed only for breeding purposes.

This plant is propagated by means of crowns, slips, suckers, and rattoons. The crown is the leafy part of the fruit as found in the market. Just below the fruit small plants form, which are left in the field when the fruit is gathered; these are known as slips. In the axils of the leaves buds occur; those that develop near the ground make strong plants in a few months and are known as suckers. (Fig. 2952, after Wester.) A strong plant will mature an "apple" in June and produce two to five suckers by the middle of September. Buds that develop from an underground part and form a rootsystem independent of the parent plant are known as rattoons. Crowns are not planted extensively, as they remain on the fruit when marketed. Good strong suckers are usually employed for planting out. Rattoons are left in the field to replace the plants which have borne a crop, but they are not sufficiently numerous to make a full stand; hence some of the suckers must be left also. Slips require a year longer than suckers to mature a crop. According to Webber, it requires ten to twelve years to mature a plant from seed. Plants are raised from seed only for breeding purposes.

If spruce-pine land is prepared it is cleared of all stumps, wood, roots, and any other organic material, and is plowed deep and leveled off smooth. The fields are then laid off in beds of six or eight rows wide, depending on the variety. The beds should be narrow enough to permit fertilizing and working with a scuffle -hoe without entering the beds, as breaking the leaves is very detrimental. For Red Spanish the rows are made 18 to 20 inches apart; for Queens, 20 to 22 inches; for Porto Ricos, 30 to 36 inches. They are usually placed in checks of about the same distances.

If spruce-pine land is prepared it is cleared of all stumps, wood, roots, and any other organic material, and is plowed deep and leveled off smooth. The fields are then laid off in beds of six or eight rows wide, depending on the variety. The beds should be narrow enough to permit fertilizing and working with a scuffle -hoe without entering the beds, as breaking the leaves is very detrimental. For Red Spanish the rows are made 18 to 20 inches apart; for Queens, 20 to 22 inches; for Porto Ricos, 30 to 36 inches. They are usually placed in checks of about the same distances.

Since the propagation is accomplished by means of offsets, the varieties are fairly stable and rather definitely marked. The variety most extensively grown is called Red Spanish, Spanish, or Reds. It has a medium-sized apple, and is a hardy plant. Abachi (Abakka), Blood, Queen (Fig. 2953), Sugar Loaf, Enville (Fig. 2954), and White Antigua are varieties that produce medium-sized apples of excellent quality. Black Jamaica, Black Prince, and Prince Albert produce large fruits or apples of excellent quality. Smooth Cayenne and Porto Rico produce large apples of good quality, those of the latter being of greater size. Other varieties are grown more or less extensively, and there are different names for these varieties, but the foregoing have been officially recognized by the Florida State Horticultural Society.

Since the propagation is accomplished by means of offsets, the varieties are fairly stable and rather definitely marked. The variety most extensively grown is called Red Spanish, Spanish, or Reds. It has a medium-sized apple, and is a hardy plant. Abachi (Abakka), Blood, Queen (Fig. 2953), Sugar Loaf, Enville (Fig. 2954), and White Antigua are varieties that produce medium-sized apples of excellent quality. Black Jamaica, Black Prince, and Prince Albert produce large fruits or apples of excellent quality. Smooth Cayenne and Porto Rico produce large apples of good quality, those of the latter being of greater size. Other varieties are grown more or less extensively, and there are different names for these varieties, but the foregoing have been officially recognized by the Florida State Horticultural Society.

It has been found very advantageous to build a shelter for "pines;" in the winter a shed protects the plants from too great radiation of heat, and in the summer it reduces the intensity of the sun. The original object of the shelter was to protect the plants from frosts and freezes. Pineapple plants freeze at 32°F. This degree of cold does not kill the heart of the plant, but only the larger part of the leaves. Pines under sheds have passed through a temperature of 25° F. without serious injury. The roof of a shed is usually flat, or undulating with the surface of the land. The height varies with the desires of the individual, but is usually about 8 feet above the ground.

It has been found very advantageous to build a shelter for "pines;" in the winter a shed protects the plants from too great radiation of heat, and in the summer it reduces the intensity of the sun. The original object of the shelter was to protect the plants from frosts and freezes. Pineapple plants freeze at 32°F. This degree of cold does not kill the heart of the plant, but only the larger part of the leaves. Pines under sheds have passed through a temperature of 25° F. without serious injury. The roof of a shed is usually flat, or undulating with the surface of the land. The height varies with the desires of the individual, but is usually about 8 feet above the ground.

In Fig. 2955 the roof is slightly less than 7 feet from the ground. The stringers running crosswise in the figure are 1 1/2" by 3" by 21'; those running lengthwise are 1 1/2" by 1 1/2" by 15'. The material for the roof is cypress plastering lath of usual length and width. The stringers running lengthwise are 46 inches apart. The openings between the lath are just the width of a lath. The amount of lumber needed (to the acre) is about as follows:

In Fig. 2955 the roof is slightly less than 7 feet from the ground. The stringers running crosswise in the figure are 1 1/2" by 3" by 21'; those running lengthwise are 1 1/2" by 1 1/2" by 15'. The material for the roof is cypress plastering lath of usual length and width. The stringers running lengthwise are 46 inches apart. The openings between the lath are just the width of a lath. The amount of lumber needed (to the acre) is about as follows:

424 posts (352 for roof, 72 for sides) 4"x4"x8'.

424 posts (352 for roof, 72 for sides) 4"x4"x8'.

160 pieces 1 1/2" x 3" x 20'.

160 pieces 1 1/2" x 3" x 20'.

960 pieces (840 for roof, 120 for sides) 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" x 15'.  

960 pieces (840 for roof, 120 for sides) 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" x 15'.  

80,000 lath (75,000 for roof,5,000 for sides) 1/3" x 1" x 4'.

80,000 lath (75,000 for roof,5,000 for sides) 1/3" x 1" x 4'.

It requires about 9,000 feet of lumber for the above material exclusive of the lath. All lumber must be first- class and free from knots. This can still be reduced by about 2,500 feet by using wire in place of the 1 1/2" by 1 1/2" by 15' and weaving the lath in this. Under the most favorable circumstances such a shed can be erected for $450 an acre, but this is about the ; cheapest and lightest form that will withstand the elements.

It requires about 9,000 feet of lumber for the above material exclusive of the lath. All lumber must be first- class and free from knots. This can still be reduced by about 2,500 feet by using wire in place of the 1 1/2" by 1 1/2" by 15' and weaving the lath in this. Under the most favorable circumstances such a shed can be erected for $450 an acre, but this is about the ; cheapest and lightest form that will withstand the elements.

The following diseases and insects attack pineapples:  

The following diseases and insects attack pineapples: