The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1880-12-29
Market Gardening i'm Florida.

Market Gardening i'll Florida.
By Il. II. Manville, Of Lake George Florida. mo
prize acas awarded to this essay bat it sUas con-
sderea 50 good SnSs TIE Society amS os s;ss
s e. Mr. N'"'''''' ps'"''''''" 70 p"0'''"
The design of the prizes offered
for the best essay on the above sub.
iect Is to elicit practical information.
The writer does not claim that the
facts herein stated are entirely the
result of his own experience, he is
largely indebted for them to the
vegetable growers of Lake George
and vicinity. The methods given
for the culture of the different vege-
tables, however, are not only de-
rived from practical experience,
producing successful growth; but in
each case have resulted in financial
success, the criterion by which we
Judge all operations OF this character.
While these methods may not always
agree with works on the subject
written from other sections, they are
adapted to the conditions of soil ard
climate here. In general these rules
viii apply to all parts OF the State.
They have been derived from opera
tons upon the light, rich, sandy
hamtnocks OF Lake George aud the
St. Johns, and will probably require
some modification in different soil OF
latitude.
Land for gardening must not he
liable either to drought or 70 become
saturated with water 1t shnuld
have thorough drainage, either natu-
raj or artificial. 1t the sol is not
sweet, porous, and friable it must
he rendered So.
In September see that fences and
tools are in order, and all things in
readiness for the winters work. In
the latter part Of this month clear
away the weeds and trash and plow
under the grass. Ii stable manure
is to be used, and has not alread V
been applied, it should be turned
under at This time it should be well
and apnliad !. hFala.i .jast San.
mediateiy before putting seed Or
plants into the open ground, the
soil should be well puiverized with
the pillow and harrow. 1t is essen
tial that this be done thoroughly,
extra time spent in the preparation
of the soil will he amply repaid.
Fertilizers, excepting stable manures,
to be used broadcast should now be
scattered and narrowed il, Where
there is sufficient fertilizer this is the
most efficient method OF application;
il the quantity be limited, apply i'll
tie hal. Mapes and Stockbridge's
manures are standard fertilizers: they
can be relied upon, and should be ap-
piled according TO the directions ac-
companylng them. Any well rotted
manure or standard compost will do.
The following has gwen satisfaction,
viz: One hundred pounds OF
murlate of potash; 200 pounds super
phosphate; zoo pounds OF dry fish
guano; these ingredients are com.
posted with two parts Of muck, the
guano being put iii lasts The CONS
post is applied broadcast from one.
halt TO a ton per acre.
Ii the crop Is TO be tended with
the hand pIow The surface should be
leveled with rake before planting.
This method Of culture has many ad-
vantages, and is being largely
adopted. One hand will go over as
much ground i'll the same length OF
time with this implement as with
lorse and pillow, the soil will be more
thoroughly pulverized and less in
jury done the crop. In the case OF
such vegetables as melons, beets, etc,
the use of the horse is impracticable
from the liability OF treading on the
plants, or covering them with earth
from the pillow. The hand pillow be.
ing less expensive and more efficient
should be more generally, it not al
most exclusively, used in gardening
operations in Florida. Avery'S hand
pillow is the best.
Cabbage and tomatoes are the
most profitable vegetables TO raise.
Cucunbers are more risky, but pay
very well in favorable seasons; an
extensive grower says: "Plant All
equal quantity OF the former, and
one-tourLh as much OF the latter.
Irish potatoes have not generally
Fsee report of United States Fish Commits