The Florida agriculturist., 1880-09-22

Of September 4, written by Mr.. r.
q. Robinson, OF Zellwood, Florida,
contradicting the statements made
by me in a letter to the Agricult'riSt
nearly year past, in regard to the
cost of orange land, trees, clearing
land, etc. 1t is very strange that
this gentleman waited so long be-
fore he comes to the front with his
blow-hot and blow.cold article.
am very much obliged to him for his
compliments. To say the least of 1t,
it is very strange communication !;
he certainly is not doing his State
any good, and if it is his intention to
under-rate my statements he will have
a good time of it. | am very partic.
ular not to make statement that
cannot sustain; and never let my
enthusiasm carry me beyond my
judgement. Perhaps his letter will
explain itself. We will see.
will just say, tor his benefit, that
l did not go to Florida as an adven.
turer or land speculator. l went
with sick wife, but being so we'll
pleased with the climate and future
prospects OF the country that | pur.
chased some land and expect to
purchase more. The statements
made by me were based upon exper.
fence and actual facts.
While | was in Florida l had ten
acres Of heavy pine land cleared for
S13 per acre / paid for clearing and
fencing eight and halt acres S145.
was offered by various parties two
year old budded trees tor Is to 20
cents choice three.year-old for 25
to 35 cents. These trees were from
the home nurseries, guaranteed to be
selected fruit. Mr.. Robinson saws
trees can be bought at these prices,
but as general thing they are worth
less that the country is full Of such
trees - stunted and soon die out.
Perhaps, il parties going to Florida
lswonla Oct him, 10 purchase these
tancy-price trees at ST and 81 eacn,
and $50 per acre to set them out, and
$500 or $500 per acre tor cultiyating
and taking care OF grove, the die
back would not affect them 80 much
He seemed to lay great stress on
my saying that seven-year-old trees,
or trees just coming into bearing,
would yield double every year. In
this made slight error. / meant
to say t.ey would double tor the first
four or five years, with very heavy
increase every year atterward. For
the truth of my statement ! will re-
fer to Mr.. g. W. Hawkins, of Lake
George, whose trees have more than
doubled during that period. l could
refer to many orange growers that
would bear me out in the statement.
AS to the price of lands, l pur-
chased some choice pine lands for $40
per acre. | purchased another piece
near projected railroad tor which
paid $40, but the ruling prices are
from SIS to $40 tor choice pine lands.
did not mention the hammock land
once. l said it would cost 500 per
year to cultivate grove of ten acres.
l spoke OF what l thought would be
high estimate Tor merely plowing
ten acres over two or three times,
We in Kentucky would like to take
such jobs at half the money. 1t is
not expected that parties taking care
of grove shall furnish fertilizers and
replace trees that may die; conse-
quently made no mention Of that
expense. According to prices
charged by Mr.. Robinson, 1 may
have underated the taking care of a
grove. 1t was on seeing these high |
prices published that caused me to
write the article which has brought
the gentleman down on me.
My object was good one. l
feared it would dissuade parties
from gong to Florida. Many said
to me that if such he facts they
would not go. Why the gentleman
waited SO long before he answered
nv letter l can not see.
Mr. Robinson neglected to tell his
readers that he was land agent,
and made business of purchasing
land, trees and setting out groves.
AS he has complimented me so
highly in his letter l will favor him
by copying a portion of one OF his