The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-08-06
lConti,aued from S9th page.l
0ronee Growing in Florida.

| orange UfOWIHS III 'Vh '
The "dieback," as it is termed, is
caused in my opinion by too much
moisture about the roots and uncon-
Genial composition of the soil. Much
of our land is underlaid with what
is known as "hard pan" which
is strata of oxide of iron and sulphur.
This condition seems to be poisonous
to orange trees, and when the roots
come in contact with it, dieback is
sure to follow. On nearly all this
hard pan we find more or less quick
sand. which holds an excess Of water.
If the tree is not mulched, the sun
will so heat the ground as to scald
the roots of the orange tree, and the
"dieback" is the result. These lands
can be very much improved by ditch
ing. Set the trees level with the top
of the ground and raise the earth
around them. But why take such
land when there is plenty to be had
that is naturally good ?
Newcomers cannot be too careful
in selecting their land. They will
find the country full of land agents,
who will sell them worthless lands in
order to make their commissions.
The land best suited to the orange is
underlaid with clay or mari, or both.
You cannot make any mistake in
such land if not too low and wet, or
in very unhealthy location.
There has been much difference OF
opinion as to the relative merits of
hammock and pine lands. l think
that depends very much upon cir
cumstances. If health be very i'm
portaut consideration, the high roll.
ING pine land is undoubtedly prefer
able. Orange trees grow and pro-
duce we'll on such land, but they do
not grow so fast, and need consider
able fertilizing. Good pine land is
rarely found on our great rivers, and
many object on that account. The
hammocks are usually found on wa.
ter courses, and are very rich and
productive. They are more or less
sickly, depending much on location.
The character of diseases usually
found in this State are intermittent in
type, very mild, and easily controlled
by proper treatment.
Orr summers are very long, but not
so hot as many imagine. The ther-
mometer rarely ever exceeds "a
the most oppressive part OF the day
Is from 8 to 9 o'clock a. M, after
which we usually have a deiightfuf
sea- breeze, and we find 1t very COM
Portable in the shade. This breeze
usually continues until the after part
of the night, which gives us delight
full sleep.
During the months of June, July
and August, we have frequent show
ers of rain, which, usually fall from
l to 3 o'clock, and last about twenty
or thirty minutes. These showers
greatly cool the air, and l think our
summer nearly as pleasant as IN win
ter.
There is no doubt but this country
offers great inducements to consump-
tiyes and all kinds of lung troubles.
1 know many who came here suffer
inc from these diseases and have been
efectually cured, and many who have
been greatly benefited and partially
restored; but unfortunately, many
wait until too late, and find no reliet
Our winters are such as to admit OF
exercise in the open air nearly every
day, and much like May and June IN
the Middle States.
Many inquiries are made about
growing vegetables in this country.
/ find that nearly everything that
grows in the Northern States can be
proftably grown here; but in order
to do so a good strong piece OF land
should be selected where shipping ia
cilities are good. Strawberries COM
mence to ripen in December and con-
tinue until about the first OF June.
They do not bear as abundantly at
one time as in the North, but they
continue in season so much longer
think the yield is much greater.
Thew are taken to New York on
steamers in refrigerators constructed
for that purpose, and early in the sea
son command a very high price.
They grow very thrifty here Gu
cumbers pay well if sent to market
early; some of my neighbors oh,
tanned $40 per crate OF one oushel
this season. Early tomatoes is an
other very profitable crop. Irish po'
tatoes have yielded well this season,
and sold in New York from 50 to
$12 per barrel. Freight from here to
New York As cents per crate and 81