The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-09-18

An Interesting Letter From o Former
Rock Island County Man--The
Political Outlook.


Political Outlook.
Editor Rock Island ARGUS:
As per promise in my last that would
write more definitely 10 reference TO the
productive interests of Florida. l propose
now to endeavor to fulfill that promise,
The great productive interests Of this part
of the state (South FIorida) are fruits
principally. one of which is the sweet orange
which eonsist of several varieties The
principal one is known as the Chinese
sweet or native Florida, which is fer supe-
rior 10 size and favor to any Of the foreign
varieties, as every one IS compelled to
admit that has the good iortune to eat a
Florida oraoge. Then we have the Naval,
medium sized fruit, inclined to be seme-
what fat, with a protuberauce at the
blossom end aud about TO inch in
length, very sweet and fne favored. which
com III AID q fancy price in market. Next
in value and merit is known as the Tango
rine or Wadarin. being quite fiat, OK
bright color, very sweet aud prolific, skin
quite level from the pulp and on this
account 10 sometimes called the kid glove
torange, as il peals easy and is free from
the acid stain contained in other varieties.
Those three comprise all the different
varieties that have any merit as edible
oranges. As to the growing OF oranges it
is quite a science and the ama,uer is
pretty sure to make partial failure Gu his
| frs "
comer is OF the opinion that he
was sent to Florida tor the eepe-
eial purpose of teaching those that came
before him low to grow oranges, The first
important item 10 to secure q piece Of land
| that is suitable for the purpose In order
| to do this to certainty, is to go back from
| the river farms i've to ten miles. io what
is termed the high pine lands. which are
nearly all especially adapted to the healthy
growth of the tree. The process of clear
ing aud feu"ing is the next requisite,
which will cost. ii the ,iuber has not been
deadened, about $50 per acre. If the
tim Der has been &c adeUed a year previous
The clearing can be done for IS per acre.
The next move IL To b. eak up he mild
sod. and secure good healthy vigorous trees
| to plant, the writer prefers trees that are
from two to four inches in diameter Of
stock, and from six to eight feet in height
being from three to Eve hears old, will
cost 40 cts. per tree at the nursery. The
selection of trees is OF great importance.
4 The next move is to transfer the trees
from the nursery to where they are 10 be
set permanently. this requires good judge
ment on the part OF :he operator. aud
great care should be observed 10 moving
the trees, although the tree is extremely
vital in most respects, it is extremely
49, IL "a
/ roots when dug. The successful operator
usually selects warm damp cloudy weather
in which to operate. and takes great care
1 that the roots of his trees are not IN
necessarily exposed to either sun or wind,
Care is necessary that the trees are not set
| any deeper in the ground than they
| grew in the nursery, rs it will surely stunt
| them and linger their rapid development
Orange trees are set ut various distances
\ apart in groves, each planter preferrnig his
own notions in the matter. We find them
set 20 to 40 feet in plain squares aud from
80 to 40 feet on the quin-couch plan. AT.
| ter the trees are set out. they require
regular cultivation are usually either
pEowed or hoed every month, from March
until Sept. or Oct, They also require
annual manureing which is done in yari-
Gus ways and with various manures. Com
mereial fertilizers are used extensively
such as limo. potash. fish guano, Stock
bridges orange tree food, Peruvian guauo
and various other preparations which cost
1 from is to Is cts. per tree annually. Those
who own large droyes of cattle use them.
They manure their groves By peBning the
cattle in small yards at night, which
usually contain 10 trees to 100 head Of
cattle, 1t takes about two weeks to each
yard. When the fences are moved to
another place and the old yard is plowed,
this process is continued until the whole
grove has been gone over, which will be
sufficient fertilizipg for about five years.
Those who do not own cattle and are too
poor to buy manures, plant COW peas
| between the rows of trees and turn under
the vines while green. which makes an
excellent manure, pea vines being nearly as
good fertilizer as rem clover.
AS this letter is growing lengthy | will
bring it to close and will write more IN
the future. Please credit this state to
Rsnoock and English as we intend to
carry it for the Democracy both national
and state tickets.
Sept. Is. 1880.
j. FL. CAMPBELL Acron. Fla.