The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1893-05-03
For THE FLORIDA AGRICULTURIsT.
WORK FOR MAY.
PRIZE ARTICLES ON WORK FOR THE MONTH
BY PRACTICAL MEN.
Irving Keck's Idea.

Irving Keck's Idea.
In my calendar May is the most trying month
OF the year. Old Sol is becoming powerful; our
rains have not yet set in to modify the heat by
clouds and extreme evaporation; so to me it is
the most unwelcome month of the twelve.
For several years have adopted the plan Of
working till noon. then not going out until or
o'clock in the afternoon. 1 do not believe there
is any money in exposing men teams to such
intense heat. ...s
Now is the golden opportunity in the corn
field. Get the corn thoroughly cleaned out be-
fore June, with it's rains.
l am plowing every other week this year. My
corn is doing nicely, and believe 1 can keep it
thoroughly clean in that way; if find cannotI
will plow oftener
Those who have oats will need to secure them
now. Get them in shelter where they will be kept
dry, for it is,not good policy to feed spoiled for
age
Plant cow peas beans and corn for succession.
Getground ready for sweet potatoes, and the
first rain that vets the ground begin planting.
In my experience the early planting does best. l
am of the opinion where you plant COW peas that
it pays to add, say 100 pounds sulphate Of pot
ash to the acre. believe it will be found to add
to the quality of the potatoes. =se
Plant okra,egg lants,peppers and butter beans,
the latter have only succeeded with on we'll fer
tilted ground r.ss.s...r
If we should get good rains during the month
plant conch peas; in my Judgment they are one
OF the best peas we can plant, shading the ground
during all our long hot days and beating rains
Planted in rows eight feet apart they will cover
allthe ground with dense shade. and if allowed
too near young orange trees will smother them if
permitted to climb into them
In the grove keep down weeds and grass, cult
vate shallow and in every way conserve the moist
ure in the SOIL The great thing in many groves
is TO prevent dropping OF fruit by lack of moist
ure, and every effort is needed to meet this OBJ
stacle and carry the fruit till the rains begin.
With me pruning is lconfned to rubbing off
water sprouts and cutting out dead wood as far
as possible. want to save all the green wood
can and get low, close. compact tree, where the
trunk is shaded from sun both summer and win
ter.
Grapes leave to others, for SO far 1 have not
succeeded except with scuppernongs; and, by the
way, they are fruit not to be despised.
Peaches we grow only in small way and for
family use.
Clean out the sugar cane and keep it we'll
worked.
"0o StOunu l0ouS iol AAOe' 81 UhoU Io may Ue
planted early in June when the first rains come.
Plant pumpkins; they are mean source of
supply OF food for the cows, and pumpkin pies
will make any properly raised boys eyes snap.
Get the work as well along as you can, fornext
month in Florida is one of the very busiest
months. Strive to get out crops that will feed
the teams and the family-they have to eat, and
every pound you make on the place saves profit
to middlemen, railroads, etc.
Put your strength in corn, oats, rice, cane,
sweet potatoes and crab grass, If you have
abundance OF these, milk, butter, chickens, eggs
and meat are only a question of little time.
man with these and good garden is not
going to land in the poor house iustyet; so strive
for success in the crops we know we can raise
don't buy feed obe paid for in oranges and toma-