The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-01-12
PREPARATIONS
SPRING CROPS
MUCH DELAYED
CROP ADVISER SAYS THAT AFTER
VISIT AMONG THEM HE FINDS
THEM MUCH BEHIND IN SPRING
CROP WORK.

, ] have not been able 10 do much
visiting among the farmers and truck
ers Of the county this week. In the
feYv visits made / find that the work
Of preparation for the spring crops is
in rather a backward condition; this is
to be regretted, as the weather condi-
ton. since fall, has been Ideal for
farm y orll.
Strawberry beds should set prompt
attention right away, so as 10 have
them in good condition for bearing a
full crop when the season comes
around Old beds should be cleaned
and cultivated with shallow working
tool so as not 10 Interfere with the
root system OF the plants and top
dressing Of suipEatc CT potash CT the
rate of 200 pounds per acre should be
applied broa beast and mixed with soil
in the niddIes Where the crop has
been mulched for cold protection, that
much can be raked on top OF row dur
ing this operation, and raked pack
again when it is completed.
This is a good time to plant trees
and this work should be done as early
as possible.
The small berry patch is very much
neglected in this county. We have
the very best conditions here Tor the
production OF both bIackberrles and
dewberries. and it is not necessary 70
go away from home TO get good thrifty
canes for planting; we can ser plenty
OF them in the woods and In old heI0S,
and if transpIanted to prepared piece
OF land and cultivated a few times,
and fortified q little, we will be sur
prised at the fruit we will get III April
and May. The dewberry should be
trained on a two wire trellis, but the
blackberry does not need any stalking,
whatever.
Mulberry trees are not as numerous
as they should be around the farm.
dwellings and house lots. They are
the earliest of our small fruit to come
in bearing, and they give considerable
food to birds which help TO prote D.
more valuable fruit in that the birds
generally prefer mulberries TO any
other fruit They are also desirable
as a change of diet for hogs and chick
ems now and then. Another fruit that
is not numerous enough is the poIne-
granate; q few pomegrate trt<' IN the
lot or yard will give q, variety ana
spice to other fruits at canning time.
This is one of the fruits that Is not
understood by most people; the sweet
pomegranate when the segments are
segregated and the fruit used for Jel-
lies, gives a product second to none:
this fruit comes nearest\t the red cur
rant of any of our Florida berries and
for that reason alone We want TO see
more Of them planted.
The Japanese persimnnon IS fas.
gaining in popularity and is one OF
the fruits that IS almost an entire
Florida product: true. they can De
grown considerably farther north than
this section, but for size and flavor,
we stand on top with ours. We, there
FORE urge q large planting OF this
fruit this winter.
hope TO see a large acreage OF Pc
cans planted this winter. We have
The suitable soil and the climate to
produce the pecan to perfection, be-
cause we are in the very center or
the pecan belt of the United States.
Money invested in q pecan orchard, it
the trees are of the proper varieties,
is about as good as bank stock as an
investment.
This is the last weekly letter that
this time, as the department Of agri-
culture has promoted me to be The
state agent in the farm demonstration
work. This necessitates my removal
to Gainesville, which win be my head
quarters. but 7 am not bidding fare
we'll 70 Escambia- county for good. as
my duties will bring me back here
often and ! take this opportunity of
expressing my appreciation OF the
courtesies and kindness extended TO
me by the people of all sections Of the
Our relations have been very
pleasant and during the nine months
that have been here as agricultural
/ have made many warm
friends whom I shall always remember !
with great pleasure.
c. K. McoCARRIE.
Agricultural Adviser.