The St. Johns herald., 1900-06-30

hut this energetic sister Of mine was the numerous little holly trees which she discovered about the roots of the large trees. She stated that she in- tended to transplant them in winter, and for the first time we realized it might not be such an easy matter to get 8 holly farm as we anticipated. Negroes are so superstitious that it is almost impossible for a white per son to keep up with the numerous queer things they believe. When our old cook heard us talking about trans planting young holly she was horri- fled. and told us it was the worst kind of luck. and that whoever did it, the minute the bush grew and cast 2 shadow large enough to cover their grave they would die. We found the superstition quite general among the negroes. so. of course. we realized at once that none of them could be de pended on to plant our holly grove. According to their advice the only way to obtain such trees was by plac-
 
 where we wished the tree and allow the wind to blow them. Only fancy what stupid idea! Still it was most serious to us. as we were entirely de pendent on them as laborers.
 However. our first harvest came be- fore transplanting time. As soon as the berries were sufficiently grown to judge of we sent specimens OR to several firms in Washington and New York. Almost by return mail y&e re- ceived surprisingly large orders. but at different prices. The beat came from the Washington firm which supplies the white house. At Christmas we found two distinct grades of holly. Branches gatheICd from trees around the house. which had been trimmed and fertilized. were more beautiful than the others. The foliage was richer and the berries larger. more numerous and very much more bril- liant. My sister fancied the same inn provement was to be observed in the mistletoe. but we finally decided that the most beautiful specimens of this were taken from post-oak trees. And now. after three years experience, we consider it fact.
 Our profits for the first year were gratifying. and as soon as there was sufficient cold to send the sap down into the roots of the trees we began our transplanting. But do you know my sister and I were compelled to do 1t with our own hands. The negroes would dig the holes and put in the fertilizer. but when it came actually to planting the little trees we had to do that ourselves. We worked early and late during the months of .Ian- nary and February and managed to set out ten acres of holly. This past season we cut out every other one of these young trees and sold them as Christmas trees. They were well shaped. had fine foliage. with large. rich berries. so of course they brought the very best prices. For our mistletoe we select old oak trees preferably post-oaks, and insert we'll ripened berries under the bark in | the fork hollow. where they will have | a chance to germinate and catch hold. | "This last season we added to our farm products by shipping quantities of bamboo and Christmas berry vines. In the north the bamboo is known as the southern smilax. and makes a charming decoration. We have no trouble in getting orders for our goods. and as our farm is ou a trunk line railroad shipment is easy. F-f first began by crating: now we simply pack the trees and branches in the railroad cars and they go straight through to their destina- f;Ou