The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-11-30

CoaeernIag Ihe CaIsIvatIen OF Veg.
eaaDleS.

The following ie the text of q small pamphlet
recently issued and circulated by the Receivers
of fhe jacksonville, Pensacola and Mobile Rail-
read.
The object Of this little pamphlet Is 10 direct
The careful attention Of every thinking resident
- Middle Florida TO certain wELL-EsTABLTsHED
FACTS relating to and directly involving the most
vital material and industrial interests of this
section If the Stale; to suggest the cause of the
present lack Of material advancement the exist
ence Of which no one acquainted with the subject
wiz deny; TO point out briefly the means and
methods by which the evil may be corrected and
20 urge upon every citizen of this section, Of
Whatever calling or profession, to use every effort
in his power 10 bring about a much-needed
change in our system Of agriculture.
The soundness of the following propositions is
too patent TO every one who can claim an inteli-
gent interest in the future welfare of our section
20 require proof or challenge denial:
The existing system of agriculture is BEcoM-
Ise LESS REMUKERATIvE EVERY YEAR, Why?
The production of A SINGLE MONEY CROP,
fcofton) is not only bad economy but il will
inevitably lead to INCREASED PRIVATE INDEBT-
EDEEss. DISAPPOINTMENT, AND FAILUREl
The ONLY REMEDY known to experience in
other localities lies not only in the ROTATION OF
CROPS, but also in the DIVERSITY OF CROPS and
the adoption Of such methods as will EcoNoMIzE
TINE. LABOR AND MATERIAL by producing THE
LARGEST POSSIBLE YIELD FROM THE SMALLEST
POSSIBLE SPACE AND OUTLAY.
The CULTIVATION OF EARLY VEGETABLES for
shipment TO Northern and Western markets HAS
PROVEN IGSALLY SUCCESSFUL in East Florida
where The soil is poor. thin, and sandy, and also
n q smaller degree wherever it has been tested
in several Of the counties of Middle Florida, and
has constituted prime element in the rapid
settlement Of East Florida by desirable and
Nealth-producing class of immigration!
Upon these premises it is proposed to demon
sirzie that this new industry, which is already
assuming vast proportions elsewhere, pursued
with the skill, patience, and perseverance which
have achieved success in other localities can be
adopted in Middle Florida with the prospect of
equal. If not far superior success and that the
feasibility OF putting such change in our agri-
cultural system into early and successful opera
lion has been established by actual experiences
beyond the possibility of doubt; and it therefore
only remains for our people TO reflect upon the
present condition of our agricultural resources
aud interests; resolve TO lose no time in making
tie attempt; master the brief and simple knowl-
edge Of the requisites TO success and at once begin
10 put the movement into general operation.
SoZ-Eyery resident of Middle Florida knows
that cur soil is of the best quality to be found in
tie entire State These high, rolling upands
eleyated from one TO three hundred feet above
tie sea-leyel originally covered by the best class
e hammock forest growth, have in their magnif-
cent subsOil Of heavy clay, with surface of rich
mold in their virgin state and under cultivation
such admixiure Of sand as 10 warm and tighten
TIE surfacel foundation for agricultural pros
l,eriiy such as is known TO no other portion of
ihe State. Well-authenticated instances are else
ELere cited Of the astonishing productiveness of
ie Inieriilized soil properly cultivated. Enriched
fwheTeTer a long course of cultivation has in any
degree impoverished III by suitable fertilizers,
aud cultivated as it SHOULD be, the extent of its
enormous capacities for the production of both
field and vegetable crops is yet to be ascertained
With such a foundation what superstructure of
magnificent successes IN the production of every
variety Of crops might be reared The applica-
ton Of new or improved methods TO the produc-
cult 50 long our chief dependence must be
placed upon an. irresponsible and unprogressve
class Of tenants; but by the personal intelligent,
and persevering superintendent of smaller areas,
planted 10 crops which yield larger result to the
acre under such care, together with the concen-
trafion Of the forces heretofore distributed over
larger areas, can be made TO result in a net gain
from a single acre equal TO that now realized
from fifty.
ClfEadfe-The climate of Middle Florida, if il
differs at all from that Of other sections where
the successful production Of vegetable crops is an
asceriained fact is really far more favorable than
that Of those portions of the State which are less
elevated. Every one knows that frost affects
vegetation earliest and latest on the 0o lands,
and that the tops of the hills and high, rolling
uplsnds are longer and later exempt from the
severe effects Of frost than the valleys and low
FAT lands intervening. 1t is well-established
fact that the natural vegetation-the leaves o.
forest trees and native grasses-start into life in
The spring Of the year from ten days TO two weeks
earlier in this region than on the lower levels OF
East Florida This fact has been noted foI
many years by old residents; and the argumcn,
from il, verified by actual experiences, is that thu
vegetable crops likely 10 be injured by late frosts
are safer here than in the region named. Henc
there would seem little doubt that with propei
and intelligent cultivation the vegetable crop
u Middle Florida could be 30 timed as 10 really
anticipate those of other and less favored sec
lions by some ten or twelve days, thus assurin
20 them the very earliest shipments and highes
market prices.
FeTtliaerG-The question of fertilizers is, will
Out doubt, the most difficult problem for H.
vegetable grower to dispose Of While muc
may be done in The way of making fair Gro.
without fertilzing, it is certain that in order Il
Gdpan1 the crop 30 as 10 be first in the mark
and secure the highest prices, the ground must G
enriched from time to time, and the more the better
The supply Of barnyard manure Is limited. and
eOitOn seed is in higher demand every successive
year: but there are other substitutes inexhausii-
ble in supply and almost equal in cheapness.--
The clay subsoils Of Middle Florida possess the
faculty Of retaining in the ground the effects OF
All fertilizers 10 q much greater degree than where
The soil Is sandy, thus making the amount of fer
tilzer. 70 accomplish given result, much less In
this section than elsewhere. Commercial ferti-
iizers. 10 be composted with those produced at
lsome, are becoming cheaper every year, and when
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