The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-12-17
81 per Annunl, in advance. :

from the phosphates for base to work
on. Most CT us who come from alluvial
or decomposed rock soils comparatively
rich in potash used phosphate, as that
element was most quickly removed by
grain and forage crops. Barn yard ma
nure thus supplemented kept the land in
good condition for crops grown by deep
cultivation for by q proper rotation the
be utilized by following crop In Or
ange growing however we have an ever
green crop which cannot be rotated. 1t
is continually on the land and even when
dormant as to growth the trees are con-
tinually drawing from the soil to hold
their fruit and foliage. Many farmers
who turn horticulturists never do realize
fully Or adapt their treatment to the
changed conditions. They pillow in the
spring when the trees are putting on
their growth and bloom and wonder why
they don't get more fruit. The Oriental
nations for ages have practiced root
pruning to dwarf and harden up the
growth in their shrubs.
Do your cultiVating in November when
late growth needs hardening for winter.
They put their fertilizers on when they
pillow in the spring and do not realize
that the vitality OF the tree must be en-
plOyed in throwing out a new fbrous
root system and that tour to eight weeks
are required before the fertilizers can be
assimilated the consequence being
rambling summer tWig growth that
gives but little fruit the next season. Put
your fertilizers on when you cultivate to
harden the trees up in the fall. The di-
version OF vitality to prepare for assimi-
lation for the eXhausting effort Of setting
fruit and growing the foliage to carry it,
will still further harder the trees for win
ter.
Then again they use cheap and one
sided or incomplete fertilizers, their trees
are too yellow or too green and get die
back or insects, and the fruit is rusty and
sour, or drops, splits and don't ship we'll;
the remedy is to try some other brand.
Il guess my trees need change"
Mr.. Armstrong in late number of the
Dispatch gave a very judiciOus estimate
OF the needs of bearing orange trees.
From the wild field of observation and
experiment in plant growth a few facts
have become known as to the effect OF an
excess OF one OF the principal fertilizing
elements, the others being deficient.
Ammonia and nitrates stimulate more
specially the growth of fibrous tissue
The tree has but partial power Of seIec-
ton Of the food offered it and if the ex-
cess comes from rapidly decaying organic
matter the poisonous and corroding pro-
ducts are absorbed giving die back and
kindred diseases. Phosphoric acid in ex-
cess hastens the maturity Of vegetables
and fruit. Ii is shown in the early and
soft oranges in phosphate mari ham,
mocks. Potash for oranges is most
prominent in perfecting seed growth, and
as this is slow when the other elements
are deficient the pulp remains sour and
the fruit is late in ripening.
The special office of magnesia seems to
be in converting the carbohydrates of
the sap into starch and the starch into.
sugar.
DR.. Griffith's experiments with iron are
interesting as showing how very small
percentage can stimulate the chlorophyll
of the leaves to help on this process. I
do not cultivate after the middle Of June