The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1882-12-20

The cei,us taken in 1880 gives Orr
ange county population9 of 6,618,
and thirty one deaths tor one year.
This included all classes and all
causes. Pure water is abundant, and
the prevailing winds carry away any
malaria poison existing in the air.
Sudden climatic changes are rare.
The thermometer in summer has been
seen at 81 deg, but never higher,
while in winter it is rare to find it as
low as 81 deg; consequently Orange
county seems to be at present the fa-
vorite selection of the immigrant,
probably because it is so accessible
by river and railroad, for the climate
of Sumter, fernando aud Volusia
counties is equally good During the
past season, as am informed by a
most truthful and scf~ntific German
gentleman of this city Who has oeen
selected by the Jacksonville and In-
dian River Railroad Company to
make full report of the forest trees
on its lands, $4,000 strangers have
visited Flor da, and from Orange
county l learn :hat everything is ad,
vancing in price-good lands are in
demand; three year-old orange SEEDS
llngs have gone from 30 cents to 65
cents apiece, and are very scarce at
that price; labor has risen from rs
cents to SIPS; timber and deals tor
building purposes are scarce for the
want of more saw.mills. Everything
seems prosperous.
ORANGE CULTURE.
AS many persons in Europe have
I9Rri Is ,iisss ia % 'isaf ss'.ls'5 4 sil
ence to it's Slimats and orange cuI-
ture, | will here ehdeavor to give
some ;nformation on the subject.
Most excellent land for an orange
grove, near transportation facilities,
can be purchased at $25 per acre;
when fronting on one OF the numer-
Gus and beautiful lakes, 500 per acre
is paid for such land. Ten acres is
the average quantity of land bought
for orange groves Having selected
hammock land OF dark gray, under.
laid with yellow clay or yellow sand
as a subsoil-the first thing to be
done is to clear it, grub it, and break
it up thoroughly, then fence il in
The soil must then be prepared with
| manure according to the necessity OF
the soil selected. Next purchase SOC
three>year>old budded orange-trees
now selling at Csc. To 75c each
These have to be hauled, set out by
experienced hands, and watered; the
best months for planting are from
December 10 March-atter rain. The
manuring OF the soil, the ploughlng
and hoeing, must be well attended
to during the first year, and so con-
tinued tor four more years, so as tC
bring the grove into bearing con-
dilion. believe that the following
is very fair estimate of the purchase
of the land for grove and all the
necessary expenses to a person wish
ing TO own grove and employ those
who have a thorough knowledge OF
the business in Orange county or the
other counties uamed, and who con-
tract To do the work for noneresi-
dent.* Toe only difference in the
outlay would be according to the
time aud work settler could give
tor his own interest.
COST OF AN ORANGE GROVE.
Ten acres of hammock land 8 25C
Clearing, glubbing, and breaking up the
land thoroughly, 2j(
| Fencing 10 acres l0t
! Purchase of 600 three-year-old budded
orange seedlings at 7Oc.,. 42I
Hauling, setting out, and watering the
! trees, 10I
Care, plOughing, manurlng and hoeing
first year 24
| Care for four years after first year, inclu-
ding manure, ploughing, hoeing and
all that is necessary to be done In or.
ange grove at $37j per year, 1,j0
Total, $3.50
During the eighth year the trees
when cared for as described, bloom
and produce on an average 50 or
anges each, or say 10000 oranges
which sell for l. &c. apiece. Contract
ors agree to pick them and give lc
Irregular contracts are drawn up between
the paities.