The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-06-04

close to it, the surplus water. which, therefore
needs only small ditch outside OF and around
the entire tract to carry it away.
The soil is dark-almost of chocolate color
similar to spots which, while not really deposits
of muck, are analogous to those often found in
our 1atwoods-ndicative of u large supply OF
humus. This variety of SOL is found around not
merely Orlando, but Oakland, Kissimmee, San
Antonio, Drayton Island and numberless other
localities in Florida
FERTILIZERS.
Allowing 500 vines to the acre, and the fertiz-
ing material at from $35 to $40 per ton, fertiliz-
ers are used to the extent of quarter of ton,
or $40 worth to the acre. This will be found
sufficient for the first year The second one, two
pounds, or half q ton to the should be used,
and still more when the vine comes into bearing.
The present eX perence of the firm teaches them
that at first hammock land is too rich for these
vines but after three four successive groupings
of vegetables, it answers the purpose very well.
When the soil is too fertile the root all goes to
vines. Now, will they do as well on high, dry
pine land, as they must have, at all times
siderable moisture? Lack of potash in the soil,
which is the great element of plant food, is the
chief source of complaint
AS to making choice between
CUTTINGS AND ROOTS,
Messrs Haynes, Young & Bailey greatly prefer
the ter, as from cuttings-they allege-there
will be no fruit under three years, but from root
ings in one year-these being three year vines.
roots, when transplanted. And though they,
of course, cost more than cuttings the frstyear'e
crop from these will more than pay their cost at
one even half pound % the vine, which fact
of itself, demonstrates their great advantage.
The writer will say, however, that on the subject
there is controversy, upon the merits of which
he is not in the present instance prepared to en-
ter. Cuttings cost $3.50 per thousand roots OF
three ears growth. $15 per hundred, or at the
rate of twelve and a half cents apiece per
thousand
The members of the firm are the estate Agents
for the White Niagara; also for the White
Diamond which as yet sells at $55, per hundred
it's superior value we leave to be learned from
other sources
The firm has, at this time tract of twenty
acres, and having ten planted with grapes,
Will put in eight IL ore next year, leaving but two,
which appearance. indicates already covered
by an orange grove. Estimating their prospec-
tive amount of work-taking their own and the
contracts they have made with others (if all hold
good) they will plant out, the coming season,
fifty seven acres of grape vines.
SHIPMENTS.
All shipments are as yet made by express, at
the rate of "a per 100 p unds-a rate, it is to be
hoped will find aspeedy reduction when California
sends her grapes 3, 1000 miles for about one-hah
that price. This mode of shipment is in prefer
ence to freight on account of safety of contents,
speed, and better in handling. The time
is ifty-four hours to New York, and they arrived
there in perfect shape, fresh in appearance, and
without apparent change from the position in
which they were originally placed. Being thus
carried by express they are shaken up as little as
possible, and will keep in perfect condition for
three or four weeks.
Packing is commenced June twentieth. The
punches of grapes are cut off the root of the
stem by shears placed in trays and taken to
the packing-house. The season lasts six weeks,
although on New Years day last when we ac-
quired most of this information, ate fine
grapes then and there, taken from the vines but
they were premature and out of season. Some
punches will weigh as much as one and a half
pounds, though most of them abOuthalf that
weight. They are grown and sold when other
grape is in the market
BOXING
These grapes shipped after the manner OF
strawberries-in small boxes inside of Il larger
one, or "crate' as it is usually termed which is
nj AIDE of light wooden Stats for the sake of venti
In this crate are placed eight baskets, or boxes,
each twelve inches long, six wide and four deep,
with a cover fitting closely thereto and fastened