The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-10-01
FlerId. Vegetables q. New Yerh.

ELIZABETH, n. j., September 20, 1880.
Editor Fioridian II is an undispuled fact that
our agricultural system in Leon county s very
defective. Our lands are annually becoming
more impoverished, and it is only question IL
time. when they will be reduced to complete
sterility, caused, in q great measure, by the pei.
sistency in which the one crop system of cotton
is followed. l have ever advocated diversit,
of interests as a means Of more fully developing
our resources, and, consequently, enhancing our
prosperity and happiness To the many of our
people who live conveniently 10 the railroad, i
can see no more pleasant or remuneraiive emf.
ployment than that of growing fruits and veeetG-
bles for shipment 10 Northern markets. Thin
business is assuming enormous propurtions in
other sections of the State under far less propf.
tious circumstances, and why not adopt il in Leot
county, where nature has done 90 much to en-.
courage us? With the view Of acquiring all pos
sible information relative TO this business, havA
devoted much of my time TO its Investigation Ia
New York. I find that the cabbsgrs shipped
from Florida sell at high prices. II is not desira~
bic that the Florida crop should reach New Yorf
before the Northern crop Is consumed, which ii
usually about the last of March or first Of April.
Florida cabbsges then bring paying prices uhtit
early in May. Where barrels are not to be had
conveniently. cheap crates, about twice the size
of cucumber crates, do fully as well 10 ship in:
One acre 10 cabbages would bring more money
than so acres in cotton. 1t would be unwise TO
undertake this, or any other vegetable CROP
without thoroughly enriching and otherwise
preparing the ground, snd when by thorough
cultivation good vegetables are produced, too.
much care cannot be used in packing them nice
~ in ce-lookiDg crates. Our early vegetables
are consumed mostly by The rich, who win not
buy inferior stuff al any price. Florida tomatoes
bring paying prices even after Charleston truck
ers begin 10 ship, and if the proper varieties are
cultivated, they are very remunerative. This
crop cannot be sent to market too early-its the
most popular vegetable sent here. The Irish
potato crop is always remunerative, If the pota-
toes are carefully assorted and packed; the sea i
SON is long one for them. While the usual pFac.
lice is TO inspect barrels of potatoes by taking out
the heads and pouring about half into a tub, the 4
barrels shipped from Bradfordville, Florida, were
not only not inspected at ALL but are readily sold
to arrive" So much for uniform packing of
good stuff. Early cucumbers bring good prices,
but the season tor them is short. Caulihowers
shipped from the South bring enormous prices
sometimes as high as $1S per barrel Some va
rieties are more certain of heading than others,
and they alone should be planted.
am informed here that the vegetables shipped
from along the line of the Jacksonville Pensa-
cola and Mobile Railroad not only arrive in uni
formly good order, but are superior 10 those sent
from any other part of the State. Some years ago
a number Of our citizens attempted the raising Of
vegetables for shipment, but the season was an
unprecedentedly dry one. We were ignorant Of
all the requirements OF success, and the rates OF
transportation were high. Circumstances have
changed, and cannot see why we should not do
even better than other localities. 1t Il mot too
late to plant seed for the cabbage crop, and
trust many will make the experiment Until we
become more experienced in the business. think
it would be prudent not 10 plant largely Of any
one thing, but what we do undertake let IL be
done well, and think We shall be encouraged
10 continue the business.
J. r BRADRORD