The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1881-02-02
Acclimatising Plants.

Il
The following extract trom.the re-
port Of the Queensland Acclimati
tion Society, to the Legislature may
be instructive to many of our readers
and show the necessity OF our having
a society in our State similar to others
that new plants and fruit trees may
be acclimated and distributed:
Abandoned Plantations.-A fer
tile source of disappointment con-
sisted i'll the frequent recurrence of
instances in which gardens had been
formed, and subsequently, for
variety OF reasons, abandoned and
the best efforts of the society thus
neutralioed by the inevitable losses
and deterioration which follow neg
lect OF cultivation or destruction OF
fences Many valuable specimens
for which the climate and soil were
well adapted, have been in this way
lost; circumstance the more to be
regretted from the evidences of vigor
shown by those which remain, and
which had presumably, at the time
when cultivation ceased reached All
age at which they could better with
stand neglect than the less mature
specimens.
Record of Plants Distributed
From notes prepared from the
society's books, l had with me an ex-
act record of all the purely tropical
plants, as well as Of many Others OF
wider range, although also found un-
der conditions of climate assimilat-
ing to that OF the coast OF Queens
land, which had been distributed
during the period embraced in the
years from 1876 to 1879. Similar
work had been carried out previous
TO 1875; but since that year it had
been conducted with more yigor and
with better system as to record, and
it's effect could Tor those reasons be
better tested, and the results be
more accurately summed up.
Proportion of Living Specimens.
Making allowance tor certain
amount of planting OF similar kind
done under other auspices, private
and public, close personal observa-
bon leads me 20 estimate that not
more than one half OF the plants dis
tributed by the society are living.
This result may however be regarded
as quite satisfactory in view oil the
fertile causes Of loss to which plants
are subjected after leaving the
packers hands.
Causes of Failure.-Exposure to
snn or salt water, rough usage on
wharVes and steamers, delays, and
mistakes OF agents at ports, and acci.
dents of land carriage, are prolific
causes of loss before plants reach
their destination; and when safely
delivered they are all too frequently
subjected to unskilltul treatment IN
the planting, and to want of subse-
quent care. There can be no ques.
tion that by means of mulching and
shading during the first lew seasons
after planting, the test Of their adap-
liability to the climate would be tar
more thoroughly applied to many
plants OF much interest and intrinsic
value, which are in fact often dealt
with by their recipients with less
care than If they were cabbages, and
which soon succumb to conditions OF
aridity and exposure. The abau-
donment OF plantations, to which AL
lusion has been made, IN no single
instance which came under my no.
Sicc had for its cause infortility OF
soil, or unsuitableness OF climate. In
Sufficiency of capital, or want of ex-
perlence i'll the main industry in
Tolved in the plantation, death, isilure
OF health and change Of purpose, have
all contributed to the result of aban-
donment, while the enormous area OF
rich Grown Lands open to selection
accounts in measure tor the fact pur-
chasers ale not readily found for
such properties.
Necessity for promulgating infor.
matlon.-A further serious obstacle
TO the work OF acclimatising exotic
plants OF economic value is presented
Dy want OF knowledge of the habit
OF the plants, the method in each case
of cultivation, and OF the means and
appliances for obtaining their pro.
ducts and educts