The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1893-01-18

L UnlnK III is q very expensive way 10 dpply
stems, to hoe all around the tree trench, laying
bare the roots to sun and drying winds, and put
ting the stems into the trench, hoeing back the
EARTH bett er scatter the stems broadcast between
the trees and lightly pillow them in.
do not think it best to apply stems or any
other fermenting fertilizers on the surface, and
leave them there indefinitely; their fertilizng
properties are lost in the air by sun and rain.
Therefore let the pillow o. harrow follow the fer
tizing closely. The amount of such fertilizers
as Simon Pure or Mapes. should be from five to
fifty pounds per tree, according to SIZE
There are some points about fertilizng the Or
ange that are often overlooked,
Orange trees to produce perfect fruit must have
abundant foliage; they will not have this, in this
latitude, without good orange tree fertilizer.
We must grow foliage and fruit at the same
time. Many young trees at this time are loaded
with fruit and it was all they could do to pro
duce the fruit and the foliage was very scant the
consequence was and is that the fruit was ex-
posed to thesummer's sun and winters frost the
quality of such fruit, in consequence of sun bake
is small, sour, all rag and skin.
Another point of the highest Importance is
your fruit will ripen early or late. just you
feed the tree. If rlpened early you can market
early. before risks of overstocked markets or
other casualties occur. This need of Leaf growth
can be supplied with tobacco stems.
If possible finish all planting of other fruit
trees than the orange this month. The same ap-
plies to planting of the grape excepting north
ern grown vines. which defer until about April
1st because they start to grow almost immed-
ately on arrival here in Florida and are likely
to be injured by late frosts.
The same manner of application, kind of fert-
yer and amount per tree you give the orange give
also your pear, persimmon and peach trees if
you wish fine fruits.
Curtafl the wood growth of the pear and plum
by rest from culture in the summer season after
they arrive at the fruiting size; this for the Le
Conte pear is about five inches in diameter of the
stock
Wemustmake our plans at the beginning of the
year for thefeedfor COWS and horses and the poul;
try therefore don't forget those pastures which
should be planted during the moist season that we
havehad since December 26th If OF done plant the
grasses named in my former article. Be to
roll and top dress with some suitable fertilizer;
cotton seed meal, a half ton per acre. gives good
results. Prepare a piece of new ground for rice
crop, low moist ground is best, but any good
ground will do. Pillow and level it with the har-
row now, to be in good condition to plant the
crop about May LIST.
The rye and oat crop should be we'll along, but
if not yet put in, SOW an oat crop this month.
Sow a bushel to the acre. pillow them in with all
the grass and other trash and half ton OF
tobacco stems per acre. PIow all in together,
then harrow with acme making it level and
smooth.
But the corn crop is the best and most valuable
crop for home use. If not already plowed pre-
pare the ground now.
The middle OF young grove may just as well
be utilized for this crop. Any cultivated crop
would be beneficial to the growth of the young
trees.
Plow the ground as for wheat or oat crop
that is, do not throw it up in beds to plant in
the bitches so made.
1 would not depend on the native fertility of
pine land or old hammock, either, for a paying
crop of corn; therefore, pillow in ton of tobacco
stems per acre, then instead of growing eight or
ten bushels per acre you may reasonably expect
thirty bushels per acre. / would plant One-third
of the crop about February 18th, the other O.
month later. Plant the southern white corn, it
is better for meal than the yellow.
have advised as to a location for a grove and
a home also form of garden lot, to cultivate
mostly with the horse 1 will now say word
about the house you are about to build. Loca-
tiOn in the pine woods away from hammock,
rivers and mud bottom lakes, this to avoid chills
and fever. Place the house well upon pitch pine
blocks CT better, on a.brick foundation, say up
four feet if hgherit could be used underth house
for store room or sort OF dry cellar. Build two
stories to get above the for sleeping apart
ments.