The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-12-03

have had pointed out 10 me repeatedly ~ scxsNi
entirely reliable farmers Of the coanty. What
might Be expected where piece Of land not en-
tirely worn out was carefully prepared by break
ing and pulverization, and planted IN these
grasses, then top-dressed and protected for
while, until fairly under way, cannot report
But very sure am that more grazing of an ex-
cellent quality, for longe. time for . greater
cost, can be had here, under the combined infiu-
ence Of u naturally strong SOIL regularly recur.
ring showers and continuous sunshine, than IN
any other region with which am familiar.
have seen recently the effect OF simply put
ting q piece Of old land uoder fence and giving
il one year in which 10 rejuveuate and rehabili-
tate its scared and worn surface, lel entirely to
the sunshine and shower tonic. am assured
that one year ago this piece Of land was bare,
worn tract almost destitute Of vegetation This
winter tlc owner will carry bis cattle through
December, January, February and March on the
pasturage OF that land. Where did il come from!
Osa Of aae climates With all my predIlections for
clover, timothy and blue grass, do not know
how to fnd place for them here.
am quite persuaded that ssleetioR and cuttsso-
tson can and will ere long evolve out of the ma
tive forms offered here standard types among
permanent pasture grasses far superior 10 any Of
the domesticated grasses cultivated North aud
East
You may remember our reading last winter a
book on Florida, issued by the Stale Board OF I'm
migration, and how Charley Hawks laughed at
and dscredited an account therein Of the beggar
,oeed aud its wonderful feeding and ierlilizing
properties.
Please take occasion to say TO him, il you have
the opportunity, that the halt Vs. not told OF
that remarkable plant, and that have had occu
lar demonstration, over thousands Of acres this
fall of the truth of that entire article. What
ever relation red clover may bear to farm econ
omy with US at home, l am convinced that this
Florida beggar weed" is here, and would be.
wherever introduced, an equally valuable plant.
1t is q leguminous production, and besides
possessing tie most remarkable fattening prop
critics either green or cured hay, ii Possesses
the very great advantage over clover as a reju-
venator OF lands, that USth0ut seeding it comes up
voluntarily on all cultivated land alter the an
nual spring or summer market crop is made, pro-
ducing on the same land the same year a fertil-
izing crop worth an equivalent in commercial
manure OF perhaps $40 per acre, and this repeats
itself ecery year.
have recently seen and critically examined
large barn filed with prime article of crows
foot" and "crab grass" hay made by hand cut-
ting and raking during July and September. l
was also shown the land from which il had been
taken. Three facts forced themselves on my no.
tce. First, that the hay OF both varieties was OF
most unquestionable excellence; secondly, that
the quantity was in profitable proportion to the
land area from which il had been taken, and
thirdly, the very significant tact that al period
OF the year, long after grain harvest, when all
other farm crops are out Of the way here, and
when there is little else to do, there occurs Pc
riod of about 100 days of clear bright weather
when hay can be handled to advantage. Con-
slider the significance of this feature alone, and
what it would be worth 10 farmer in our Sec
ton OF the country. But bear in mind it is only
the nGtsCe grasses that are SO adapted to the
sons All the domestlcated grasses are early
spring bloomers here, and il planted would re-
quire harvesting in the midst Of the busy weed
killing campaign Of the iarmer, and be often Sc
riously hndered by the almost daily rains in May
and June.
Yet another circumstance connected with this
barn full OF hay1 would mention. Every acre
from which il had been taken has already
produced another crop OF something else this
year. In one instance it was corn, which had
been cultivated level, cut and stocked on the
ground in July. A part of the ground was oat
subble from which the grain had been cut in
June, and the land afterwards turned over with
sulky and narrowed. Another part OF the land
had made a large crop OF turnips and manges
since January.
This farm belongs 10 Kentucky gentleman,
l understand. II IS a most beautiful place. and
in far better shape than any have seen in Flor
ida The processes being applied there are the
beginning of the real reconstruction this part OF
the great South is about to undergo. The Odor
of those hay mows was like a sweet breath from
the old barn loft at home. 1t crept in on my
senses and dispelled the last remnant OF dou6t
touching good hay, cheap hay, and plenty Of it in
this country to the man with sagacity enough to
make it.
gather most encouraging reports from all
persons owning live stock here, and with whom
I have spoken, touching the prO6tableness of
cattle, sheep and hogs, and the very great advan-
tage attending their keep in conjunction with
the other regular operations OF the farm.
There is an active demand for milch cows
growing out of the wants of the new settlers and
hotels in Eas tand South Florida. Faled steers or
wethers are eagerly sought after and AL dairy
products find good market.
can see very decided evidences in all direc-
tons of disposition to improve the character of
the stock, and in almost every close see in my
rides some very credi,able cattle.
Perhaps not more than dozen or fifteen of
the farmers in the county have gotten fairly start
ed in experimental mixed farming where staple
provision crops such as corn, OATS rye, potatoes,
sugar cane, peas and peanuts, together with hay,
cotton and tobacco, have been grown, while
some care was being given to early vegetables
and fruits for shipment, and the rearing and
feeding of small herds or focks, but in epery in
stance where l find this condition of affairs to
have existed, find the couspicuously prosper
Gus u.en Of the country.
They are going II ioerably" blind, some of
them have got much to learn that is already
familiar to us at home, but they have found out
very much, too, that the smartest farmer in York
State would do wisely to "caich on" 10 ii he
came here.
A few really practical stock men from among
some of our best feeders would, however, be Of
great benefit here as settlers. They and the ma
live farmers would be OF mutual advantage, and
greatly help on the development of that high Or
der of husbandry that Is destined so soon to
spread itself over this hand of promise
am going tomorrow with party On a little
trip to the sea coast and look again on the deep
blue of Mexicos warm waters seen last in 1S45
While the cold wind whistles around the
corners, and rattles the window frames, bury
your great healthy anatomy in the bed clothes
and shiver, then think of poor delicate me lying
with comfort and impunity, on the ground, In the