The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-01-08
.FLOR|D MGAIN LEADS
IN NEW PRODUCE
GREAT INTEREST SHOWN BY
GRoWERS-FoRAGE THAT HAS
PROMISED TO REVOLUTION
IZE STOCK INDUSTRY.
~ G. n. FREAs.

In South Florida that gives promise
Of solving the forage problem, name
ly the propagating OF Burbank's
Spineless Cactus, the wonder forage
crop.
AS far as the writer knows, there
had been no serious effort to propa-
gate Burbank's finished products in
this state on a large scale until this
present year, when the largest of sew
eral nurseries was established by a
company of Rrooksville men, amongst
whom are ]. J. Bell, w. A. Fulton,
large citrus growers in fernando
county; G. M. Price, president First
National Bank, of Brooksville; L. B..
Warn and others. These men organ
lied their company, procuring their
original start from the Burbank
Products Company, which company in
turn supplied them with the perfected
product and in consideration therefor
received selling contract Of the out
put of the nursery for a period of
five years.
Early in the year Mr.. G.. W. Hahn,
southern representative of the Bur-
bank Products Company operating
from Tampa, introduced car of this
finished product into this state and in
the latter part of March several nur-
series had been started, notwithstand-
ing the fact that there had been adj
verse reports made in a general way
as to the successful propagation of
the crop in Florida, many being under
the impression that cactus could not
stand our rainy seasons. To all such,
the Brooksville company can say that
their doubts on this score may be dis
carded, for the slabs not only made
splendid growth during the summer
months, but new slabs may be cut and
transplanted during that period. Had
the Brooksville company disregarded
the doubling Thomases in this matter
we would have transplanted all of our
new cuttings in July, thereby having
several thousand more slabs than we
now possess.
Beginning with about an acre, we
planted five varieties the latter part
of March of this year, four of which
have made good with a big G. The
other variety has made more slabs
but they have not attained the de-
sired size for transplanting. AS re-
CARDS the four varieties, namely, I'M
proved Fresno, the best forage va
riety and the White, Yellow and
Crimson fruiting varieties, we are no
longer in doubt.
Starting in March with TOO I'M
proved Fresno, and 100 each of the
three fruiting, we have increased our
nursery from one acre to about five
acres on which they are now growing
5,400 slabs.
From the 700 forage we cut 1850
new slabs, leaving more than an aver
age of two new slabs to the first
growth on the mother plant.
From the 800 fruiting varieties we
cut 720 slabs, leaving the same pro-
portion of first maturing slabs on the
mother plant.
Figuring conservatively, our 5 400
slabs will each produce an average of
three new ones for the coming period,
which will give us over 10000 slabs
for the first year from a start of 1000.
Had we known that the new slabs
which matured in July could have
been cut and planted in the rainy
season as we now know, we could
have increased our first years crop
by at least 5000 more slabs.
AS it was, we paid heed to the
doubling Thomases and did not cut
any new slabs until the present
month.
Our experience at the Brooksville
nursery, as well as a thorough in
vestigation regarding the many va
rieties of cactus, places US in a posi-
ton to advise citizens of Florida that
there are many kinds in this state,
California and other states, but that
we can vouch for none but strictly
Burbank's latest improved varieties
that were perfected in the past three
years and guaranteed to be absolutely
spineless.
When the proposition to start a
nursery at Brooksville was under con-
5A0CAGS4OA L4AC WIllCL SOL III
spondence with leading cactus men in
California with the result that the
claims made by Mr.. Hahn were
founded upon fact and the result and
investigation has proven more than
his representation to US. Incidentally
while visiting the Expositions in Cal
ifornia in September the writer Wis
tied prominent cactus growers
throughout the state, including the
Burbank Nursery where spineless
cactus was developed. At the latter
place we received confirmation that
Improved Fresno is the best all round
forage variety, as it is harder, more
prolific and reliable than others, as
well as being an abundant frl1iter.
From nursery standpoint we
learned that Florida now has more
of the improved product under way
than California, greatly due to the