PINEAPPLE CULTIVATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 113, 9 April 1930, Page 2

PINEAPPLE CULTIVATION

INDUSTRY IN HONOLULU. COSTS OF PRODUCTION. An insight into tho methods followed in the cultivation of pineapples at Honolulu was given 'to the Palmerston North Citizens' Lunch Club, yesterday, by Mr M. A. Eliott who indicated how the financial sido of production was arranged and managed. Land in. the rough cost 200 dollars per acre freehold or 10 to 22 dollars leasehold, lie stated, and seven years was the cycle of the crop. The plant took eighteen months to mature and tho cost of bringing the land into cultivation was 90 to 100 dollars per acre. Scrub and undergrowth were first cleared. The area was then ploughed three times at intervals of several months with motor tractors and with a three or four furrow plough depth of 10 inches. At about August or September tho soil was levelled and made as fine as possible. Mulching paper prepared with tar 72 inches wide, and manufactured in San Francisco, was laid on the ground. That obviated weeds ‘and the ground retained its moisture, as well as operating to the disadvantage of the breeding of bugs. The cost of laying the paper was 100 dollars per acre. Hples of four-inch diameter were cut in the paper at the rate of 8500 to an acre (two-row planting), or with four-row planting, 14,000 to the acre. Fertiliser was laid on the surface of the ground under the paper at the rate of 3761bs to an acre, mostly super-phos-phate procured from Chili at a cost of 60 dollars per ton. Plants were put in by hand at n depth of eight inches in dry soil and remained for three or four months. At from 12 to 15 months an application of ammonia, about 125 lbs to the acre by hand, was made on the base of the big leaves (a handful to about six plants) for fertilisation by medium of leaves and stalks at a cost of 50 dqllars per ton. Spraying was then undertaken with sulphate of iron by means of a pump drawn by mules (cost 60 dollars per ton) to destroy insect pests once per month up to within two months of the drop. By this timo buds which were future pines were formed. These buds were like the end of big raspberries. They then grew very rapidly and matured at the end of about 18 months. About 10 per cent of the crop was sometimes ready at 12 months, but 90 per cent took 18 months. The cost up to the time prior to harvest was 500 dollars per acre, and included all labour and material. Harvesting done by contract cost 1.25 dollars to two dollars per ton for picking and carrying the fruit to the end of the rows. A good crop equalled 20 to 22 tons per acre, and the value was 30 dollars per ton, which equalled a little more than the cost for the first crop (four-row planting equalling 27 to 30 tons to tire acre). Each pine averaged in weight 6ilbs, but some went as high as 141bs. There was a shrinkage weight of twelve per cent in twenty-four hours. It might total up to 35 per cent if delay occurred. Pines were graded into three sizes, with no difference in quality, added Mr Eliott. About three months later slips were selected and suckers cut off and destroyed. The slips were laid with roots up on spare land, some of the leaves being stripped off and exposed to the sun for six weeks before being planted out as described. Tire main pi ant was again fertilised at the rate of 3751bs pcr'acre, while all the time cultivation and weeding proceeded. Tho second crop at tho end of twelve months after the first hnrvest was probably just as heavy as the first crop, and cost 150 dollars up to the time of harvesting. It returned 600 dollars, giving a net profit of 450 dollars per acre. Provided tho field was satisfactory, the third crop was harvested at the end of another twelve months, returning eight to 12 tons per acre, with the same cost for manure and labour. The plants were then disc harrowed out and burned, and the land planted with panicum grass (native of Hawaii) or pigeon peas. It grew four or five feet high and was ploughed in several times in succession for two years. That brought up the cycle of seven years costing 15 dollars per ton for each crop. All the land on the Island of Oahu was taken up, and no more was available. Pines were more profitable than sugar if conditions were favourable. Philippino labourers received one dollar 50 cents per day with free quarters, but no food, the native overseer 75 to 80 dollars per month, and the manager about 1000 dollars per month, with free house, lighting, milk, etc.