The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1878-11-27

"AiO"AhS uAO oAt W nave dCCeSS 10 UD6
roots, which is essential to the health
OF the tree. 1t facilitates the circu-
lation OF gasses escaping from de-
composing organic matter in the soil;
these acting chemically upon insolu-
BILE substances render them fit for
plant food. The rains penetrate the
soil easily and supply those indispen-
sable elements of vegetable life, and
ammonia and carbonic acid, (which
are important constituents OF rain
water. Fertilizers deposited on the
surface are carried down by the de-
scending rains, and returned by the
ascending capillary water from be-
low bringing them into constant con-
tact with the feeding surfaces of the
roots. A greater depth is thus OBJ
tanned for the roots, and the trees are
less liable to injury from excessive
rain or drought. Where there is not
sufficient fall for underdrainage, sur
face drains or bitches answer the pur-
pose admirably. Owing to the sandy
nature Of our soil deep bitches cave
badly. Shallow bitches answer the
purpose much better if the distance
between them is not too great.
From twenty-five to fifty feet is not
too near upon majority of our low
lands. Trees whose roots are imbed-
ded in soil soaked with sour, stag
nant water cannot be healthy. 1t is
wonderful that the orange tree stands
as much abuse in this direction as it
does. Whatever may be the specific
nature of die-back,'' whether fun
gold or otherwise, there cannot be 8
doubt that one of the most prolific
causes of the disease in the State is the
lack of proper drainage.
The expense of clearing the low
lands, either in developing wild
groves or in preparing to set out new
need not be SO great as is represented.
This class of land seldom contains
scrub palmetto, myrtle, ETC., which
render the work of grubbing so
heavy on some lands. In the wild
groves where cultivation must be
done with the hoe, the land need not
be grubbed. Even in soil which is
being prepared for setting out trees,
and which is to be plowed, the usual
thorough and expensive mode can be
dispensed with A few roots which
are most in the way Of cultivation
can be removed. The remainder will
rot by the time the soil is in suitable
condition tor trees, and will add
greatly to the richness OF the land.
One Of the most hourishing young
groves on the St. Johns River, was
cleared without the destruction of a
single tree or the removal of root.
The former were cut, piled and al
lowed to decay, the l&tter rotted in
the ground In three years the tim
ber was almost gone, and the roots
had entirely disappeared thus an in.
valuable fertilizer was saved, and the
work of clearing materially lessened
Care should be taken that the rotten
wood does not come in contact with
the trees, as it breeds wood lice
which are liable to girdie the trees
A greater portion Of the wild
groves in the State, are upon the low
lands !; this led, no doubt, to their
first being utilized for orange grow
ing. Grating on the wild trees at
fords the quickest mode Of securing
fruit, and many Of the old groves arc
of this character. The fact that the
wild trees are indigenous to this soil
should demonstrate its adaptability tc
orange culture, While these wild