The Florida agriculturist., 1884-11-19

tons to the acre. 1t IS Thought TO De as
nutritious and palatable to stock, clover
excepted, as the same amount of hay
raised on Northern farms, the average
product per acre being about the same.
This is an achievement that to the ma
tive element looks like the work of a
magician--a sort of modern miracle; but
the more experienced in agricultural
science know it to be the result of con-
slant and generous fertilizing. This is
ordinarily very costly business, though,
as will be presently seen in this case, not
nearly so expensive as usual.
What is believed to be the only Cham
pion mower in Duval county, and
perhaps in the State, is to be seen in the
barn of Mr. Miller. He has, also, hay
cutter OF the most improved pattern,
known as Barclays EnsiIage Cutter;' y
likewise, Aughe's celebrated steel plow,
one of the best manufactured in the
country, and other labor-saving farm
machinery. To the amazement OF the
Florida Cracker Mr.. Miller plows
furrow ten inches deep.
The yield of Indian corn is something
previously unknown in this sandy sec
ton of the State. Although but two
acres of it was raised last season, the
yield was from thirty to forty bushels
per acre, and some of the stalks were
eight and nine feet high, the ears being
nearly of the average size of those at the
North. This is doing remarkably well
in a section OF country not long since
supposed to be incapable of raising In
dian corn in paying quantities. 1t is the
result OF applying annually to the corn
and the grass areas of the farm fully two
tons OF manure to the acre, though with
the use OF no other fertilizer.
But that in which Mr. Miller proves
his distinct superiority, and achieves his
most brilliant success, is the milk ddjfg
department. There are about sixty cows.
Some of them are blooded stock--Alder-
neys, Durhams, etc. Experience proves,
however, that COWS do not thrive here
as well as at the North Even full
bi0Oded stock when brought here deteri-
crate, not in the quality, but greatly in
the quantity of milk Yielded. They prac-
ltically "drv up, we should say about
4 lsone-half- As a compensation for this
/ serious disadvantage, What is fost IN
bulk is more than balanced by the in
creased richness of the milk. In Illus
tration OF the latter fact, we were shown
a siX-inch glass jar in which the cream
stood at the top of the can nearly two
and half inches thick; so that about
one-third of the whole contents was
cream. We never heard of the like oc-
curing in any Northern State. The en-
tire sixty cows, however, produce each
only about one hundred and fifty quarts,
on the average, the year round-three
quarts per day, in season, being con-
sidered good yield. By actual test, we
think that this milk, in richness and
general excellence, equals, if it does not
excel that produced at the far-famed
dairies of Chester and Delaware counties
in Pennsylvania. Indeed, we never re-
member tasting milk of as fine quality.
This is contrary to the ordinary dairy
experience in Florida, and in opposition
to the generally received opinion at the
North. ts.Eat
To accommodate these COWS and six
head Of horses and mules, all in the best
condition, Mr., Miller has two and
hall story barn and stable combined,
one hundred and thirty-two feet long,
erected at an expense of over 1000, and
fitted up in the most complete manner.
On the second floor OF the barn is an en-
silage crib, thirty feet long and six feet
deep, filed with cut food for stock, and
all cured in the most perfect manner
AuV ~ hOPt .oHuSA oA1SlbSA et3lNiJ
being kept dry, preserves its strength
until used, the liquid portion being care
fully utilized. nY ,fsag .5sisa tie.,,
a wind mill supplies all the water
needed for house and farm purposes.
Mr.. Miller disposes of his milk entirely
in Jacksonville, and could sell twice as
much. ,fa3 {sii ~ -ns.f .,. a
Although there may be more like it,
and even better, we have given this de-
scription of model Florida milk dairy to
show Northern farmers what can be. done
here in the milk dairy business, and to
give the ndtire resident better conoep
tion of the capabilities of the soil when
properly fed--a soil that responds adj
mirably to intelligent culture, abundant
fertilizing and untiring industry. 1t is
system of farming, however, that re-
quires cash, labor and skill. These, ju-
diciously directed, will, in almost any
section of Florida, in a few years give
man handsome competence.-O Obsereer,
IN Florida Dispatch. ai1s BIZ
A company of Boston capitalists head
ed by Messrs. Hodgson, Spooner & Co.,
are about to begin the erection of mann
moth hotel on the east side of Lake
Weir, at the old Josselyn place. Plans
and specifications have already been let,
and work will commence at once. 1t is
the intention of the company to locate
model town on this side of Lake Weir