The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-05-06
WAITS FROM wELAKA.
New Life Put in Vegetation by the Re-
cent Fine Rains.

! New Life Put in Vegetation by the Re-
cent Fine Rains.
| WELAEA. FLA, May 5.-The fine rains of
last week has put new life in all vegeta~
ton. 1t was very badly needed, as not
much planting had been done; but a month
| or two does not seem to make much differ
ence in Florida on general crops only to
! make them later. The severe and late
| frosts cut of the greater part of the coming
| orange crop; many leaves shed from the
| cold of Jan. 4, then warm weather brought
out new growth and bloom; good frost
cut that back, when they again come
out well and at the critical
time frosts ruined the bloom. Even
the wonderful recuperative qualities of an
orange tree proved no match for Jack Frost
Poor returns this past winter have stirred til 9
people into taking action for protection, and
various schemes are on foot with that object
in view. Many got but little more than
enough to pay for putting the oranges in
boxes. My returns averaged 80 cents per
box, which equals about go cents on the
trees. which Is paying price. Last season
mine sold for 81 As on the trees Take the two
seasons together the average price was good.
There is much in personal attention in hand
ling an orange crop. Perfect uniform pack
ing, sorting carefully AMI boxing neatly
always pays. Much fruit was smutty this
season. Washing 1t at a cost of cents per
box enhanced Its value rs cents or more.
These are small affairs to look at but there
an lies the profit. There is nothing dis
couraging in the orange outlook. One
dollar now will buy more than two would
years ago, when such big prices were paid
for oranges. 1t is now an assured fact that
good soil and good location are necessary TO
success In orange culture. A neighbor
of mine found his location too cold for
oranges some years ago, and he destroyed
all the trees he had and planted the differ
ent kinds OF grapes of the scuppernong
family. The place is beautiful as we'll as
valuable. That will be found a good
course for many others who find their
young groves cut down every winter. An
other thing generally overlooked in Florida
is planting such crops as can be raised,
such as sweet potatoes, corn, millet and
most forage plants. All do fairly
well, and most excellent if fertil-
lied; A COW, or a few COWS, can
can be kept, also some pigs and chickens
Most people overlook these matters which
add 80 much to the support OF any place or
family not to say anything of health and
good living What is better than plenty of
milk and butter9 They go long way to-
ward supporting family. A fine quality
OF wine is made in this section, and careful
attention is being paid to that branch of
industry. We find plenty Of insect life on
the vines, which looks like, and l believe is
the identical red spider, which infests the
orange trees. It is easily and quickly
killed with spray pump and a proper
solution. One has to keep wide-awake and
watchful. If he does he will be amply re-
warded. hope to see the time when people
will not entirely depend on an orange
grove and the past season should be lesson
to those who have extra land Let them get
some stock, get something growing and see
how much better they will feel and prosper.
They will be astonished to find that Florida
is something beside an orange and phosphate
producing state.