The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-12-21


e ne JaclnoaFille. Pensacola and Mobile Rail-
raad: fl Ee
Ths o1sset q this little pamphlet 10 10 direct
ths earetul atinnkion &C every thinking resident
q Ei1dls Euida 10 certain wML~EsrAHrTsznD
EAca FslEiing 10 and directly involving the most
vital maisrial and industrial Interests of this
ssction q fAs State; TO suggest the cause Of the
pruaaut AMrk Of material advancement the exist
ence q which 10 one acquainted with the subject
VIII dezys - point out briefly The means and
methods By which the evil may be corrected, and
10 urge upon every citizen Of this section, Of
Ehnteves calling or profession, to use every effort
il his power 10 bring about q much-needed
chAngs IN our system Of agriculture.
The s0undnez Of the following propositions Is
100 patent 70 every one who can claim an intelli-
gent interes in the future welfare of our section
70 require proof or challenge denial:
The existing system OF agriculture is RECON-
EEs LE@ KENuEERATTvE EVERY YEAR, Why
The production Of A SINGLE MONEY CROP,
lcotionD d not only bad economy, but il viii
inevitably lead 70 INCREASED PRIVATE NDEBr-
EDEEss, DISAPPOINTMENT, AND FAMUREl s,r
The OILY REMEDY known to experience in
@SA@AAA~4r1
Crops, bat also in Che DIVERSITY OF CROPS and
The adoption Of such methods as viii ECoNoMzE
THE, LABOR, AND MATERIAL by producing THE
LARGEsT POSSIBLE YIELD FROM THE SMALLEST
PozzBLE SPACE AND OUTLAW
The CULTIVATION OF EARLY VEGETABLES for
shipment 20 Northern and Western markets. HAS
PROVES GGEALLY SUCCESSFUL in East Florida
where The soil is poor. thin, and sandy, and also
10 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 a desirable and
Eezlih-prOducing class of immigationi
Upon these premises it is proposed to demon
strEie 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, II not far superior success; and that the
feasibility Of putting such change in our agri-
cultural system into early and successful opera
ton 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
and Interests; resolve to lose no time in making
the attempt; master the brief and simple knowl-
edge Of the requisites TO success, and at once begin
70 put the movement into general operation.
SoZ-ETery resident of Middle Florida knows
that our soil is Of the best quality to be found in
The entire State. These high, rolling uplands,
eleTafed from one 10 three hundred feet above
the sealeTel, originally covered by the best class
Of hammock forest growth, have in their magnif-
cent suhsOl Of heavy clay, with surface of rich
mold in their virgin state, and under cultivation
such admixture OF sand as to warm and tighten
the surface) q foundation for agricultural pros
Peiiy such as is known to no other portion of
the State Well-authenticated instances are else
where cited Of the astonishing productveness of
The unfertiized soil properly cultivated. Enriched
wherever a long course of cultivation has in any
degree impoverished iI) by suitable fertilizers,
and cultivated as it should be, the extent of its
enormous capacities for the production of both
field and vegetable crops is yet to be aseeEsained.
With such foundation what a supefstructHre 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-
ton Of the present staple crops will ever be diff
cult 50 long as our chief dependence must be
placed upon an irresponsible and unprogressive
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-
trAtiOn Of The forces heretofore distributed over
larger areas, can be made to result in a net gain
from q single acre equal to that now realized
from ffty.
Ci1DatS-The climate of Middle Florida, if it
differs a all from that Of other sections where
the successful production Of vegetable crops is an
ascerlaned fact IL really far more favorable than
hat Of those portions Of the State which are less
elevated Every one knows that frost affects
vegetation earliest and latest on the loso lands,
ana that the tops Of the hills and high, rolling
uplands are longer and later exempt from the
severe elects Of frost than the valleys and low,
fat lands intervening It is well-established
fact that the natural vegetation-the leaves of
forest tres 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 for
many yearS by old residents; and the argument
from it. verified BY actual experiences, is that the
vegetable crops likely 10 be injured by late frosts
are safer here than in the region named Hence
there would seem little doubt that with proper
and intelligent cultivation the vegetable crops
Of Middle Florida could be 90 timed as TO really
anticipate those Of other and lesa favored sec
tons By some ten or twelve days, thus assuring
10 them The very earliest shipments and highest
market pnceG
kwfaa1z-The question Of fertilizers Is, with
out doubt, The most difficult problem for the
vegetable grower to dispose Of While much
may Be done in the way of making fair crop
without feriliEing it is certain that IN order to
adsans the crop % As to be first in the market
and secure The highest prices, the ground must be
enriched ffDm time to time, and tie more Tie 6estsr
The supply Of barnyard manure Is limited, and
cotton Sod b in higher demand every successive
yeEs but there ere other substitutes inexhausti-
bls In supply and almost equal In cheapness-
The eley subsoils Of Middle Florida possess the
faculty q retaining In the ground the effects Of
all fertilizers 10 Q much greater degree than where
the soil h ssndy, thus making the amount of fer
tilisezs % accomplish given result, much less IN
this section than elsewhere. Commercial ferti.
li1su. 70 be composted with those produced at
home. ere becoming cheaper every year, and when
used IN connection with . heavy growth 81 cow
p0 vines, grown each year, or twice each year.