The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-06-21
straw berry Culture for Middle
Florida.


Notwithstanding the two disastrous events
which have injured the Irish potato crop here
abouts this season-the cold weather in January
and February and the drouth in May-enough
has been experienced in this as well IS in former
years. to demonstrate that this section is quite as
favorably located, for the successful culture of
such crops fnot more favorably, than the eastern
and southern portions Of the State. We believe
the same to be eminently true as to all other veg
etable products usually grown for shipment to
northern markets, and more especially with re-
spect 10 strawberries
For the past three years the writer has been
experimenting in small way with strawberries,
and has had sufficient experience to become
convinced that the tops of our Middle Florida
hills are just the place for raising this incompar-
able fruit. Wherever, on the summit of hill
or ridge, the soil slight and slightly sandy, with
the usual clay subsoil the chances are that with
fertilizers and proper cultivation. We can produce
strawberries considerably earlier and of quite as
good quality as can be raised anywhere in the
State.
While in Jacksonville a few days since, we
took occasion 10 call on Mr.. w. H. Pillow, who
for the two past seasons has been engaged in
shipping strawberries to the north, beth as agent
for the growers, and on his individual account.
After examining his refrigerators and other app-
ances we secured from Mr.. Pillow promise TO
write detailed statement of the transactions of
the past season, accompanied by such informa-
ton as will enable novices to engage in the bus
siness, without serving long and expensive ap-
IN,
Mr.. Pillow advises US that he has not yet found
time to write at length but will do 20 al an early
day. He says:
IL am unable at present TO give anything
more than mere outlines. We have forw arded
ing New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Balt-
more, somewhere about 10000 quarts of straw
berries which have sold at prices ranging from
90 down to 20c Very few 90 low as the latter
figure, good many were sold at dollar and
very near it. will send you later much more
detailed statement of the seasons business
may have to delay that till after 60 North,
but think can furnish II some time during the
msnth of June, without doubt Owing to my
sons Illness my time here will be fully occupied
in making settlements with my patrons, which
must be done before leave Jacksonville
As 10 furnishing facilities for shipping from
from your place another spring, shall prepare
myself TO do it in case your people desire it, and
will write you later more particularly in regard
TO that, among other matters. In the mean
time hope to be able before leave Florida to
make arrangements with the r. r. which will
enable me TO bring your fruit either here or TO
Fernandina, and thence forward with ours.
shall hope to get rates 80 - to only slightly in
crease the charges over those which will obtain
from Jacksonville and Fernandina. I send en-
closed my circular issued 10 my patrons at the
commencement Of this seasons business, from
vrhs nkr - R.<-~, H..:
ness is conducted. Ofcourse some things will be
changed as experience suggests desirable i'm
provements, and of course II ind 1t possible,
am anxious TO lower my rates, but must keep
them vt point which shall make The business
self sustaining trust will be credited when
/ say am DESTROYS to conduct my business in
such q manner as to not only afford myself
living, but also be q benefit to the people of
Florida. That such has been the case hereto
fore think can be easily demonstrated. shall
hope to hear from you and others interested In
these matters and shall furnish all such with
whatever information have to obtain the de-
sired end"
1t Is our purpose in future issues, to thorough
ly discuss this subject, with view to induce a
number Of our people to engage in the business;
and to that end we shall give only the most
trustworthy information and the experience of
those who have been engaged in 1t.
Since writing the above, we find ln the Jack
sonvIlle Union the following letter.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, June 9th, 1881.
To the Editor Of the florida Union:
Inasmuch as some of your locals /" lettering
to myself and the business In which am en-
gaged) have been widely copied. and In some
instances with erroneous interpretations feel
constrained TO request you TO publish the follow
Ing. should you deem the matter OF sufficient
public interest 10 occupy your space: In the
nrSt place, an impreseion seems 70 have obtained
that was the grewer of I'll the sirawberries
have forwarded 70 the northew markets. where.
~ have merely owned tho reifikerators, and
occupied 10 relation 70 the growers OF the fruit
the position Of their agent TO forward the fruit 10
the best markets, collect the money for the
same and distributing among them lever 8 hun
dred In number) each ones share Of the net
proceeds affm deductins my fes fOr the tselof
refrigerators and copductlng The buaines6 IInnd
also that exaggerated notion have been conceived
rsGarding tho pro6ts of growing The fruit
While Z be- been . good paying CROP and
win no aoubk cOufinuA . b. Wild rod manage
meat stMt those expectlng 70 6nd In u e. M
limited boaanza, WILL * eouss, shoald thsy en-
ter the businees VIII such iieaa. "a at1kS|4 II
retire with 6jaHcsf e 81 s - z ~