PINEAPPLE (AS. pinreppl, from pin. pine -4- crppri. apple). The fruit of Auanas sativus, the pineapple plant, which grows from 2 to 4 feet high. producing a single axis to which are attachol long, stilt. rough-edged. sword-shaped leaves. The individual plant produces only a single very fragrant and palatable fruit. which varies greatly in size. 4 to 5 inches being the usual diameters and 6 to 10 inches the lengths of ordinary market specimens. Very large speeinwns may weigh 15 to 211 pounds. The pine apple is a native of tropical Ameriea. and is widely grown in warm climates. Formerly it was an important European greenhouse crop. and the fruit, thus produced were of superior quality ; but with the improvement of transportation facil ities less attention is given to it- culture under glass than formerly. The West Indies, Ifahama Islands, Florida, Azore Islands, and parts of Northern Africa are the principal regions of pro duction for European and American markets.
Queensland supplies the Australian market. in 1590, 14,699.93I plants were _rowing in Florida. California, and Hawaii. Statistics for other countries are not at hand. hut the production is increasing each year. The pineapple succeeds only 111 regions where frosts do not occur. A climate having an alternate wet and dry season, with a mean annual temperature of 75' to appears most favorable. In t;neen:land the best pineapples are grown in localities havin, a mean less than 70*. The plant requires a porous. well drained soil, otherwise it thrives on a great va ricty of soils. In Florida the best pineapples art. grim]] on It tine sandy soil, anat?zing to 90 per cent. silica, and on such soils heavy ter
tilizing is necessary. Pineapples rarely produce seed. They are propagated commereially by set ting out the crown at the top of the fruit, slip4 from the hase of the fruit, suckers 1rDr11 near the base of ille stalk. and rattoons from the roots. are most commonly planted. since these usually prod a crop of fruit in from 14 to IS months. Crimns or slips require a year longer to 01/111' into bearing. The plants are set in rows aboot 3 feet apart and IS to 31; inches distant in the row. onee established a pineapple planta tion will emlure s to 10 years without resetting, stickers replacing the old plants. Little cultiva tion other than the scuttle hoe is required. 1Vit1r ill recent years pineapples have been grown ex ti.iisivelv in Florida under sheds. These sheds are built of lath spaced 2 JrI 3 inches apart and nailed to a light framework 6 to 7 feet high. They protect the plants from frost and exeessive heat and greatly improve the quality of the fruit. 'The cost of putting them lip prohibits their use except for the finest varieties. For an account of the greenhouse cultivation of pine apples, consult: Thompson, gardeners' .1 Rxistant (new ed.. IX atsoll„ vol. v., London, 1!10.2). For outdoor methods and growing under sheds. con sult; l'incap ply Uroo.ing (United Stales Dipartment of Agrien Bore, Farmers' Bulletin hall. 1 901 ) ; id., Pinert mil(' Fertilizers (Florida Agricultural Export Station. Bulletin 30).