The Ocala evening star., 1910-02-02
ORANGE AND GRAPEFRUIT
GROVES OF THE EAST COAST

ORANGE AND GRAPEFRUIT
GROVES OF THE EAST COAST
The orange and grapefruit trees
along the east coast of Florida have
made phenomenal growth during
the past twelve months and it is
safe to say that never in the history
Of this industry has the growth of
the trees equalled the growth this
year. During the summer months
the rainfall has not been as great
perhaps as in some other years. but
it's distribution has been more uni
form and regular. Every week. and
sometimes oftener, there have been
showers that have kept the moisture
close to the surface, which has en-
abled the trees to utilize not only
the natural elements in the soil ut
the fertilizers that have been prop
erly applied. Groves that have been
properly fertiliZei have made a
splendid growth and are coming into
the winter season strong and health
full, which is an assurance that next
seasons crop will be a very large
one.
Now and then there are neglected
groves which have suffered for the
want of proper fertilization and
work. The idea that has and does
prevail among too many is that all
they have to do is to plant the trees
and sit down and wait a few years
when great crops Of golden balls will
roll into their laps. Some also have
an idea that they can grow an or
ange or grapefruit grove without the
Of "a oh III ~S
tilizers. Now both these ideas are
mistaken ones
Where grove is thoroughly cu1-
tivated during the summer months
(and in the winter months in this
southern section), 1t can be grown
with less application of fertilizer
than grove that receives but indif-
ferent cultivation. but the trees need
cultivation and plant food to reach
the highest success in growing and
developing a citrus grove. The
Homeseeker has been making some
inquiries in different counties along
the east coast in regard to the con-
dition of the groves and the prob
able output of fruit, and some of the
correspondents have made mention
of the facts enumerated.
At Hastings, Fla. the orange
groves as a rule are in better condi-
tion than they have been for years
and the crop is larger than last year
The Wetumpka grove is as fine as a
grove can be and the trees are load
ed with a fine quality of fruit The
other groves in this section show the
same condition. except those which
have not been properly cared for.
The groves in the neighborhood OF
ST. Augustine are we'll loaded with
fruit and the quality is even superior
to that of last season.
The orange groves = in Putnam
county are in splendid condition, es-
pecially those which have been cared
for during the summer. The groves
near Palatka are holding a fine crop
Of fruit and the shipments from this
point will be greater than last year
| am Informed that the San Mateo
groves and those along the ST. Johns
| river have made most surprising
growth during the summer and that
| the shipment of fruit will be greater
than last year. The quality of the
! fruit was never better, large por-
ton of it being "brights."
In Volusia county they will ship
the largest crop of fruit this season
that has been shipped for years. The
groves along the east coast of Flor.
| ida in this county are in splendid
condition, the past summer being
most favorable for their growth
This season the old time conditions
SO far as quantity and quality is con
cerned, will prevail.
| The orange growers were never
more encouraged over the citrus in
dustry than this year. and in Bre
ward county they will on the whole
make a record crop and shipment:
have already begun. Mr.. E. L. Bra
dy, one of the largest growers in the
Titusville district, has sold his frui
on the trees, for which he received
$1,000 cash. Other growers have
sold their fruit on the trees. Thi
method of disposing of fruit in tha
section seems to be a favorite on,
and buyers are always plentiful. Th'
large portion of the fruit is bright,
with the genuine Indian River fla
yor.
ST. Lucie county comes in for
good crop of citrus fruit. The grove
! were never in better condition thai
lnow. The summer has been a mos
favorable one and the trees have pu
on an extraordinary good growth
i
the quality is the real old 1ndial
River kind
The citrus groves in Palm Beacl
county have made an unusually goo
growth the past summer and tn
trees are holding good crop o
fruit The young groves are in tn
finest possible condition. and man
of them will come into bearing mex
year During the summer the raj
has been we'll distributed and thos
who have, cared for their groves pro
perly are much encouraged in prose
lcuting the citrus fruit industry. Th
Okeechobee country lying west fror
West Palm Beach, which has jus
, been opened for settlement. will Sc
a large increase in the planting G
citrus trees during the coming yeal
The rock road leading to this choic