Several new varieties of the grape were brought to notice during the year and among them is the following: Brilliant. This is a seedling originated by Prof. T. V. Munson, of Denison, Texas. The illustration, Plate V, is from a cluster sent to my office by him. It is the result of a carefully made cross between Lindley and Delaware, effected in 1883. It has been tested by a few of the best grape-growers in the country and proves hardy in vine. The growth is quite vigorous, and so far as can be judged it bears abundantly. The cluster is about the size and shape of the Concord, being compact and slightly shouldered. The berry is large and hangs well to the stem. The color is red, nearly resembling the Catawba. In flavor it is about equal to the Delaware, being delicate yet rich and aromatic. The pulp is very tender and the seeds seldom exceed two or three. The skin is thin, yet tough enough to ship well. TROPICAL FRUITS. THE PINEAPPLE. It may not be generally known that this fruit is grown successfully in field culture within the United States. It is, however, limited to southern Florida, for not only does a slight frost seriously damage the plant but chilly air either day or night is injurious and dry air at any temperature is not suitable. Many persons think that any location where frost does not come will do for the pineapple and other tropical plants and trees, but this is far from true. In the extreme southern part of Texas and in many places in California it would succeed if the nights were as hot as the days and the air moist. A few partially successful attempts have been made in California. Even the central part of Florida does not seem so well suited to pineapple culture as the coast regions from Merritt's Island southward to Key West and northward from there to Tampa Bay, in which region there are hundreds of acres yielding this fruit abundantly. The islands seem especially favorable, as their foundation is usually coral rock upon which is a well-drained sandy soil mixed with decayed vegetable matter. Some persons think that thin sandy soil will do for this fruit, but although it may produce light crops, rich soil is much better. Key Largo, Plantation Key, and Pine Island are some of the most profitable places for pineapple culture in all Florida. At Biscayne Bay, on the east coast, are many fine plantations, and also on the shores of Lake Worth, which lies opposite the south end of Lake Okechobee. The illustration on Plate VI is from a photographic view taken at the place of Brelsford Brothers at Palm Beach, which is a settlement on the strip of land lying between Lake Worth and the Atlantic Ocean. Northward from this place lies the narrow sound which is known as Indian River, and for over 100 miles along its shores may be found patches of this fruit at the home of almost every settler. At Eden, which is on the mainland side, are some of the largest plantations in Florida. It is estimated that fully half a million fruits of marketable size were shipped from this place this year. On Merritt's Island are also many commercial plantations, and it may be safely stated that this is the northern limit of the pineapple. It is true that all over the orange-growing region of Florida this tender fruit is occasionally grown under temporary protection, but not otherwise except in a very few peculiar situations. Near Orlando there are some fields which are reported as paying well this year, and in 1889 I saw them growing under shelter at that place. The plants do best set from 3 to 4 feet apart each way, although some growers set them closer. The hoe is the principal tool used in cultivating, but horse cultivators can be used to an advantage until the plants get too large. The edges of the leaves of nearly all yarieties are armed with sharp teeth, which are quite annoying to man and beast. A plantation will last about three years without renewal and bear good crops. The first year the young plants bear little or no fruit, but the second year each should have at least one good large one and the third year two or more, but there is usually a considerable proportion of small ones which are unmarketable if less than about 4 inches in diameter. It does not pay to grow small pineapples, and whoever attempts it should bear this in mind. Propagation is always conducted by offshoots, which are of three kinds and known by the names "crowns," "sets," or "slips," and "suckers." The crown is that part which appears at the top of the fruit and consists of a single bud in the center of a cluster of leaves. Very small shoots called "crownlets" are sometimes found at their base. The slips or sets are found about the base of the fruit and although small are numerous and usually used for propagation. The suckers are branches which come out of the main stalk near the ground and come into bearing soonest of all. All the above root very easily. There are many named varieties, which differ in style of plant, and the fruit varies in size, shape, color, flavor, and time of ripening. Specimens have been sent to my office which weighed nearly 10 pounds, and I have heard of much larger ones. New varieties are produced from seeds as are other new fruits. Queen. This is one of the varieties about which there is considerable confusion as to name. In Florida it is called "Egyptian Queen" and also "Gypsy." It is of the very highest flavor and of a beautiful lemon-yellow color. No variety brings a higher price in market according to the experience of Florida growers. In shape it is rather elongated and in size is only medium. Porto Rico. This is grown to some extent but does not multiply rapidly. The plant is very large and thrifty and the leaves often attain a length of 5 feet. The fruit grows to the largest size and specimens weighing 10 pounds are not rare and some reach 20 pounds. The shape is pyramidal and the color a pale pinkish yellow when fully ripe. The protuberances are very large. The flavor is subacid, but to my taste not so rich as many other kinds. Red Spanish is the variety which is generally grown in Florida. It is not large, as a fruit rarely weighs more than five pounds. The shape is almost globular and the color is a brownish yellow at maturity. The flavor is subacid, vinous, and very delicious when fully ripe. SEMITROPICAL. THE KAKI. In my reports for three previous years mention has been made of the kaki or Japanese persimmon, the planting of which has steadily increased. There are single orchards in Florida of thousands of trees and the markets in the northern cities are beginning to receive the fruit. It ships with greatest safety, as it may be gathered when quite hard, and ripens gradually for several weeks afterward. There is no fruit better adapted to street selling, as it is attractive in color and ripens so gradually that very little need be lost by decay. The Japanese esteem it as their most popular fruit, and do not always wait until it fully ripens before eating it. When dried it resembles the fig, and thus prepared and afterwards cooked it is quite palatable. Eaten fresh with cream and a little sugar it is delicious. Investigations are being continued in order to obtain, if possible, from the northern parts of Japan and Corea varieties which may prove hardy in our central States. As yet, however, I only have information indicating that we may get such kinds, and promises that trees will be sent. The severe cold last spring killed nearly all the blossoms of this fruit in Florida and in the other Southern States, and in many cases the trees were seriously damaged, consequently there has been almost no fruit this year, and no progress has been made since my report of last year in disentangling the confused nomenclature of the varieties. However, past experience will fully warrant the publication of the descriptions and illustrations of the two following varieties: Zengi (pronounced Zen-gy).-This is one of the smallest varieties, averaging about 24 inches transverse diameter, although often not more than 1. Occasional specimens reach 3 inches. In shape it varies from distinctly oblong to globular, sometimes having a slight depression at the apex. Skin dull red with a yellowish cast, not as brilliant as the larger varieties, generally marked with black cracks about the point when well matured on the tree. Flesh rather stringy, dark, showing black dots and white fibers when cut transversely, and light colored fibers with broad splashes of brown when cut vertically. Usually quite seedy; flavor very good, seldom astringent even when hard. Very early and prolific. Plate VII was made from fruit sent by Mr. J. S. Wade, Homeland, Florida. Tsuru.-Very long and slender (2 by 34 inches) as its name (Tsuru, a crane) indicates. Rather bright orange red, skin smooth with very little tendency to crack at point. Flesh orange colored, rather dry; seeds few, with correspondingly slight tendency to show brown markings; very astringent when unripe. Mainly valuable as a late keeper. Specimens ripened on the tree are rather broader at the base than when ripened off the tree. The illustration,_Plate VIII, was taken from a specimen obtained from Mr. G. L. Taber, Glen St. Mary, Florida. THE GOUMI. The Goumi (pronounced goo-my), Elaagnus pungens, from Japan, is a pretty red, gold-flecked berry, fairly pleasant for eating, and is likely to prove an addition to our gardens as an ornamental shrub as well as a fruit. Its hardiness has been partially tested, and the probabilities are that it will not prove sufficiently hardy for the Central States. The buffalo berry of the West is a member of the same genus. The fruit is eaten raw in Japan, or either pickled or preserved, and either way it is quite palatable. It is also valuable for jelly, resembling currant jelly to some extent. The fruit appears like an elongated pie-cherry, and averages one half to five eighths of an inch in size. Color bright red, surface appearing as if covered with small golden brown dots; stem long, one and one eighth inches; |