The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-01-06
Farm Products in Florida.

o--l,,,tions of Florida" S. Sanders Neck of
n.o,s saws: 1t is natural to suppose that in
.,,,nt,-v where all varieties of fruits are
-, the necessaries of Ifs should also be
ss.o5pcsd to perfection. There can be no
5.nbt as to the success. since it has been
.,r,onstreted by practical farmers for the
sost fifty years that Florida can be made to
f,,nlv a superabundance of the require
.,ants of its residents, besides a large sur
Inc for export. This would not seem to
"a inexperienced cultivator of Florida soil
uoossible, If the general appearance of
III we're taken as a standard of its fruit
tnlness. Water, so necessary for the nutri-
.,r of plants, is at certain seasons supplied
.ber in heavy dews or rains. copious
s,ougn in their periods of falling to assist
nth the warIi4 atmosphere such rapidity
# growth that can only be compared to
forcing, giving a result in a much shorter
snace of time than where these grand COM
binati ms are wanting. That such assertions
oen be fully proved, seeds of all kinds are
EASILY terminated, together with cuttings of
nlsnts and vines that are difficult, and in
older ATTITUDES impossible to make grow.
Soil and its heat have much to do with
this A decided difference can be notice
m the varieties of soils in the state For
Instance, trees and vegetables suffer more
during the short dry periods on heavy clay
lands, whereas on the light loamy soils the
root system is largely developed, penetrat.
ing deeply to obtain moisture. That by
stirring up this class of soil frequently,
when rain is needed. draws moisture
enough to prevent plants from suffering.
Il is well known that water is the all-essen-
hal Of plant life. Fruits and vegetables
can be grown at will with the advantages
Florida has of heat, soil, and abundance of
water that can be obtained without diff
GUILTY, the innumerable lakes. rivers,
creeks. springs, and artificial means that
can he utilized will insure for the outlay a
certainty. That a system whereby the
waters are at the control of the cultivator
is to be commended, and should be carried
out where possible. The question of irriga-
ton does not apply to farm crops or fruit
trees, but solely TO vegetables of a succu-
lent nature. 1t is the mechanical means
VIC employ in agriculture that brings the
reward a cultivated plant will do but little
to5ard the production of its species unless
| means are used to assist it against the ene-
mics that contend for their portion Of the
soil. | can illustrate trees that have care
fully cultivated that were planted with
others planted at same date showing a
comparison, that some are fifteen feet in
hight and four inches in diameter, whereas
the uncultivated ones are eighteen inches
high and half inch in diameter. The con-
t5ntion for the soil in cultivated lands dur
iug the growing season is beyond the
Imagination of new settler.
To compare soils of different ATTITUDES
that are not subject to the same influences,
ard form an opinion without regard to the
| experience of those who are successful with
soil that on general appearance looks
worthless, if the opinion is reverse to sound
logic, can only be set aside as either pro-
found ignorance or strong prejudice. 1t is
well known to cultivators of the soil that a
light, warm, porous one is the essential for
producdveness. The loamy soils of
Florida are largely made up with fine
luminous earth.
Fruit trees, with their deep penetrs ting
roots aided by their laterals, grow to perfec-
ton on soils that the lighter annual vegeta-
ton would find difficulty, without great
assistance, a susterance enough to barely
live. That nut producing trees should be
more generally planted there is no doubt.
The pecan, walnut and other trees of SINH
lar habit; the former, as they can be sue
cessiuly grown, should be extensively
planted to take the place of the red, post
and scrub oaks. That the soils of Florida
contain large quantities of oil is fully illus
trated in the growth of cotton, pindars,
and other oil producing plants that flourish
until the soil if not fortified refuses to
grow the crop to perfection, hence the
necessity of keeping up its condition by
means Of fertilizers; one especially, the cow
pea, in reality beau, which draws its
nourishment largely from the atmosphere,
can be depended upon for recuperating, its
long tap root bringing to the surface new
matter for plant food.
1t is deplorable fact that such a valuble
material as cotton seed is not returned to
stood by all who contemp plate success in the
cultivation of crops in Florida that fertiliz-
ers, if used in moderation and with de-
gree of knowledge as to the requirements
of the soil paying return will follow. and
leaving it in good condition for another
crop. Green manures can be used to great
advantage. Rye sown in October, plowed
under in March. Cow peas sown in April
and plowed under in July.
There are certain soils in the state that
can be benefited and made fertile by the
use Of decayed vegetable matter and the
lime manufactured in the state. This lime
is recommended for its purity for all pur-
poses of agriculture, shaking up into fine
powder. Then there is another valuable
material that can be procured at a small
cost from the kilns, that is pure carbonate
Of lime in such form that it can be used to
great benefit on lands devoid OF this ele-
ment, viz, poor, thin pine lands.
Crop Rotation.