The Chronicle

CHIREDZI, Wednesday, March 20, 1968 — Hippo Valley Estates citrus manager, Mr AJ Fourie, is enthusiastic about pineapples.

“It’s only two years since we started experimenting with them. The results have been so amazing that we are already considering growing them on a commercial basis.”

These are strong words for the Lowveld man. For he is rarely surprised at what his soil will grow. Or how fast.

The orange, lemon, grapefruit trees at Hippo, for instance will produce fruit only six years after planting. “And our trees here are bearing especially high quality stuff in that time.”

Pineapples are one of several experimental fruits being grown on the 1500-acre citrus plantation at Hippo.

Said Mr Fourie, who has spent over 25 years in the business and five as Hippo’s citrus manager: “Our naartjies are doing extremely well.

“Mangoes are very good, too, but the avocado pears are a bit temperamental. One year a superb crop, next year only so-so”.

These fruits are still experimental after six years of trials. Thus the excitement about pineapples.

“We want to plant 10 acres at first. At 24 000 plants needed it might not be easy. “Once they’re established, of course, we’ll do as we do with all our other fruits and use our own plants for expansion”.

Two varieties will grow well at Hippo-Queen for fresh fruit markets and cayenne for tinned chunks and rings.

Pineapples are a thing of the future, however. In two or three weeks, Mr Fourie’s attention will be on the grapefruit section — all 35 000 of it. For then the 15 Europeans and up to 700 Africans employed by the plantation will be picking the first of this season’s crop.