The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-09-29
DIVERSIFIED CULTURE.
It's Eject Upon Orange Groves Now
Seen in Florida.


Lake Maitland, Fla, Sept. 2S-The sub
ject of diversified crops is one that has
become threadhare from frequent and
prolonged discussion, but the topic which
heads this letter is one that has not at
tracted general attention. Its Importance,
however, is equally as great, and its
results quite as marked.
In the case of single standard crops
there is often variety of methods for
eultivatng One man prefers hill cul-
ture while another claims better results
from level culture. One farmer favors
clean culture, another is opposed to it,
and the same holds true as to blowing;
one favors deep blowing, while another
advocates the shanOW method. One farm
er plants his crops by the moon. but his
neighbor laughs at his foolishness. In
the matter of fertilizers and manures,
as well as the best methods of applica-
ton, there, exists the same differences of
opinion and practice. Many men of many
minds is an old saying that we'll applies
to the farmers and fruit growers of all
sections Of the country, and just now
is strikingly manifest in Florida.
When the terrible freeze of last winter
left our orange groves leafless and blasted
a feeling of uncertainty as to the extent
OF the damage done led to indecision OH
the part of orange growers as to the best
plan to pursue. Many believed that the
trunks and large limbs of the trees would
recuperate and again send out green
leaves and twigs. Others felt confident
that any such growth would be worthless
in the end and that the whole tree above
ground should be cut away The former
class trimmed their trees, leaving the
large limbs according to evidences of live
wood, while the latter class sawed or
chopped their trees to the ground. An
other class of people said il would be bet
ter to leave the trees alone and wait flu
ture developments. Some simply plowed
their groves; others fertilized and plowed.
while still others did nothing to the trees
or soil. Each class felt sure that they
were on the right track and those who
= IL 80
end.
Well. the time for future Developments
has come and with it a pretty clear con-
VictiOn that the wisest men were those
who cut their trees to the ground and
trusted to good, healthy shoots from the
roots 10 make new and thrifty trees. Some
of the trees that were closely trimmed
have done pretty well, but their future
development, on account of the borers, is
still in doubt Trees that were left uncut
and uncared for have reached a critical
condition. The owners OF not a few groves
fiattered themselves that the old dead
branches would keep the new shoots in
place and save expense of stalking and
tying. This has proved a most expensive
are being cut as near to the ground as the
lowest shoots viii permit. Of
course this cannot be done with
out a great deal of trouble
and extra expense, as-Wellsas a ''set back
to the big trees thus cut off. Sam NJ
Moseley the largest and most successful
grove contractor, has just finished cut
ting the trees il the groves of Dr. c. c.
Haskell, late treasurer Of the South Flor
ida railroad, and he is now at work on the
noted budded groves of the Shirler broth
ers. The theory of non-action and await