The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-01-16
VOx POPULI.
FRUIT GROWING
IN WEST FLORIDA

EuiUOT f0QSdcOla journal.
Peach trees in this locality are at
tackled with the San Jose Scale, a dis
ease which millions of dollars have
been spent to check, with little or no
success. II can't be controlled it win
put an end to raising peaches. 1t is
known by white scales on the bark,
somewhat like bran, and kills the
trees in two or three years. II was
introduced into the United States from
China where it does no harm on &C
count of ladybug which feeds on it
and the experiment stations have
made tests with the Chinese ladybugs
by putting in wire cages enclosing
peach trees with scale on them. The
bugs lay eggs under the scales which
hatch and deyour them. OF course
this is solution of the scale problem
with the bugs.
scale which Is kept in check by ma
tive lady bugs but native bugs do not
feed on Chinese scale.
1t is important that varieties be Sc
lected which are least subject to dis
ease, such as Indian peach and others.
These old time varieties are much the
best. The fruit Is best favored and
comes true from seed and the trees
are longest lived and least subject to
scale.
Many people suppose that West
Florida is too cold for oranges but the
Satsuma orange is grown with sue
cess in this county. | have been told
that it stands the cold at zero without
serious injury when budded on the
citrus trifoliata or hedge orange, which
is hardy at Washington City. Ii De-
gins to bear very young, two or three
years from the bud, makes beautlful
compact tree, thornless, attains
height of feet. The fruit is of fair
quality and early. rough, rather dark
skin The blossom comes on the new
growth and not on the last years
growth as other kinds do. They can
be furnished by Florida nurseries,
trees one year old. 20 cents each.
Commercial fertilizer is the best for
oranges; young trees, fertilizer con-
tanning a large per centage of ammo
MIA; bearing trees large per cent OF
potash. Satsumas need no protection
during the winter in this locality.
The japan walnut is the best Of ali
the nut bearing trees. The tree is
small. bears in 8 years and Is or 20
nuts stick on one stem. 1t is the great
est bearer of all. They are much
larger than the pecan but the shell is
thicker which Injuries the price. 1t
can be cracked and the kernel taken
out in one piece.
The shell is about the thickness OF
the English walnut The Japan wal
nut is the only kind of nut bearing
tree that l know of that can be plant
ed with the assurance of crop, unless
possibly the Hazelnut. The most
money made on pecans is made oy
nurserymen selling the trees.
No place in the world suits ngs
better than West Florida and fortunes
can be made raising them for market.
Dried figs always brings a fancy
price. They are produced with the
least effort Of anything. They can De
produced from cuttings although some
kinds will not grow that way Treat
in this manner: Bend the limbs to
the ground and cover with dirt until
rooted. Flowing close enough to f1g
trees to disturb the roots should be
avoided as it starts disease. Most OF
the figs on the market in the United
States come from California. This
should not remain So ! think chest
nuts can be grown here with success
as l noticed several wild trees on the
hin near the river. One tree was
about a foot in diameter.
CHAs. DEATON.
Chumuckla, Jan. Is.