The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-12-14
HOW ONE TRUCKER MADE
! GOOD IN FLOORIDA
Continued from Iage ~

were helping to Keep the pot Dolllng.
1t was as we rounded the corner Of
the corn-barn and I noted crop OF
lettuce in the ground, that asked him
about his crop rotation, and he said
that h would harvest this lettuce in
February, to be followed by sweet po-
tatoes, which would be succeeded by
peavine hay and lettuce again in Sep
TENDER.
Mr.. Davis believes in diversified
farming, and on every acre this prin-
ciple is practiced. While almost ev-
cry known crop is produced on the
farm, there are what is known as the
staple crops, and these are features.
They consist of lettuce, cabbage, Eng
lish peas, peppers, beans. eggplant and
potatoes, both Irish and sweet.
The scheme of cropping followed is
this: In the fall the first crops are
cabbage, lettuce and English peas,
followed by elephants and peppers,
although sometimes the plan is va
ried by planting Irish potatoes to fol-
low the lettuce and peas. Tomatoes
are the main spring crop, followed by
sweet potatoes, of which Mr.. Davis
has made speciality and reputation.
The summer crops are corn, velvet
beans and cowpeas. AS a rule only
sufficient corn is raised to provide
feed for the stock, and some Of the
velvet beans, beggarweed and cow
peas are cut for hay for the same pur-
pose and the balance is turned under
to give humus to the soil.
So many of those who are interest
ed in Florida and her products are de-
sirous of knowing tn ecost of produc-
ton of the various crops that this
question was carefully looked into,
and the figures here given we're ceri-
fled and may be accepted and very
conservattively estimated. We will
let Mr.. Davis tell it in his own
words:
II have kept close tab on all ex-
penses of the farm" said Mr.. Davis,
and each year carefully note the
cost cost of production and net prof
its from each crop per acre, the fol-
lowing figures being found as the av-
erage cost and net figures of the prin-
cipal crops given. These figures COW
er every item Of production and cost,
delivered to car. We have our own
packing house, but the figures of the
cost are kept just as accurately as if
we had the picking done by some one
else.
I Il find that tn cost to produce let.
tuce." he continued, a. o. b. cars will
average 500 per acre, aggplants $75
English peas 500, peppers SIS, toma.
toes 500. This high cost of tomatoes
is due to the method of cultivation
and handling, as all my plants are
staked, trained and carefully tied
Many of our farmers do not stake
their tomatoes, but experience has
proved to me that this is the best
method by far, and consequently
continue it.
turning to profits" he went on
Il find that the profits are as follows
remember these figures are net. and
cost and expense taken OUT: Lettuce
$500 per acre; English peas, 500, pep
pers $500, and tomatoes, 5000; Irish
potatoes, 5000, and cabbage, $500.
You asked me-" he went on, what
are the gross expenses for operating
"a farm of this size according to nv
methods. Here are the figures: find
that the average yearly cost of oper
alton on this farm is approximately
$4O,OOO-the net profits, deducting all
expnss, have been $4,000 per annum
II employ on the farm an average
of sixty men, most of whom live in
comfortable houses, which | have pro
vided for them on the farm; alto
gether there are some fifty buildings
on the place. During the busy crop
ping and shipping season l have to
increase this number of men to one
hundred or more to take care and
handle the crops. | have sixteen
head of horses and mules, and raise
all the food necessary for their use
Keep four head of pure blooded Jer
seys for home use, and find no trou
Bile in selling 2-year-old heifers a,
5000 per head. l might Just as well
increase my profits by keeping fit,
head of thoroughbreds and seyera,
hundred hogs, but for the extra re-
lsponsibility.
Referring to the hay crop" he con
tinued, Il raise around $50 tons of ha,
ach year, but as before stated. most
of this is turned back into the soil fo,
humus, cutting only what the stocl
require although ar t;poas 7 ,o,,