The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1888-02-11
ADDITIONAL LOCAL.
AN EXPERIMENTAL GARDEN.
Views of the Celebrated Botanist, DR..
Sehafranek, on the Subject.


The following is the text of the com
munication from DIR. Schaffranek to the
Board of Trade, concerning an expert
mental garden near Palatka:
PALATKA, FLA, February 6. 1888.
GENTLEMEN: The prosperity and well
fare of Palatka depends, not on tourists
only, but more ON settlers. To lead the
stream Of emigration to our city and
county must be the aim of every citizen.
We have TO take the steps that will prove
perimental garden. The chief object of
such a garden is the propagation of
plants of national interest and the test
ing of new varieties: to develop the nat
ural resources of our county and State;
to transfer from foreign countries vege-
table products whose introduction may
serve to increase the activity of trade.
foster new forms of industry and en-
large the measure of human comfort and
the common veal. This is undoubtedly
one of the noblest duties, and the efforts
of our own in this cause should continue
to receive the encouragement of all. who
have 1t in their power to facilitate its
means of doing good, and who have the
prosperity of PaIatka and Florida at
heart. Our more enlarged and accurate
acquaintance with the climate of our
State ought TO enable us to compare its
peculiarities with those known TO be ia
vorable, and we do not have doubt of
the perfect feasibility of introducing
new plants into the county and State,
when we find the men with heads and
hands competent and worthy to fulfill
the mission that awaits them.
That mission we believe to restore the
prosperity of Florida, the fertility of
the State. plant therein the tree of lib
erty and justice, and all other trees,
shrubs and plants that the climate will
sustain and rear upon the soil, blessed
with genial air and delightful sunshine,
the homes of industry, piety, purity and
happiness Providence designed should
there arise for every one .
We cannot overestimate the benefits
that must necessarily result from an ex-
perimental garden with a collection of
plants, whose products are of CONNER
cial value in the arts, manufactures and
medicine. The mere exhibition of such
collections, when Systematically ar
ranged, is productive of much good, and
the impetus now being given to di-
versification of products, calls for more
intimate knowledge of the various ce-
reals, food and forage plants, of fruit
trees, oil, eyes, gums, sugar, starch bear
ing, fibre producing plants of the world.
Plants are without doubt capable of
modification within certain limits, and
it is the power of men to fix the pecu-
liarities when observed, and i'm a meas
ure to produce them by the selection of
those which promise well, and continu-
ing the selection with adequate care
through several generations.
Such an experimental garden in the
the limits OF Palatka Heights will not
only attract the tourists, but will also
educate the people, indeed. it will prove
itself for every newcomer an institute
of learning, for here he will find united
theory and practice, here he can learn
the manipulation of trees to be planted.
and the method of planting them, how
to prune, how to bud and to graft them,
the little tricks and hints which are i'm
general more worth, than all the theory.
Here he can judge by himself at once
what our soil will produce and what he
will raise by cultivation; here he can
get all the best information free of
charge, in regard to land and plants.
| And that is the best recommendation,
the only one wanted: for seeing is be-
lieving!
In connection with the experimental
| garden should be nursery and one or
two greenhouses, tlfe first one to supply
new settlers with the best fruit trees at
a reasonable rate, the second necessary
for the propagation of plants and for
raising show plants, both 10 alleviate
the expenses necessary. This expert
mental garden needs botanist as super
| intehdent and few laborers to execute
his orders, The superintendent shall re-
| ceive a salary of $1200 annually
payable in monthly tinstalments.
The expenses will be less in a few
| years and may be partly covered
by selling trees and plants, by an an
nual fair which should take place by
the middle of February, and l believe
that as soon as the value of such a gar
den Will be recognized in general the
county will not refuse to assist said in
| stitution, and the Legislature will pro-
| vide for the means to keep the expert
mental garden in fiourishing condi-
ton. And if we take this in considera-
| ton that the experimental garden may
become the base of real horticulture
and agriculture academy, then the bene
fit of our plan will be known at once.
That is all | have to say to-day and
hope that this idea will be favorab ly in
dorsed by your honorable body as well
| as by the people of Putnam County.
! Very Respectfully yours,
DIR. A. SCHAFFRANEK, BoGanist.
FIoridelphia.