The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-11-19
Experimental Farm
at Port St. Joe Is
Proving a Success

PORT ST. JOE, Fla, Nov. 1s.-For
the first time in the history of this section
Of the West Coast extensive experiments
in Improved methods of agriculture have
been conducted during the last two years
on the experimental farm Of the Apa-
lachicola Northern Railroad near Telo-
gia.
The experimental farm was established
in 1918, although it did not begin opera
tons on an extensive scale until last
year. 1t consists Of SO acres of land
under cultivation. Possibilities for de-
velopment of agriculture in this section
are unlimited. inasmuch as out of the
more than 900 acres of land in Cal
houn county the report of the department
of agriculture for 1913 showed less than
5000 acres under cultivation.
The experimental station was estab-
lished primarily to demonstrate the results
Of improved methods of agriculture in
Northern Florida, according to B. w.
Eells. director of the station. Although
practically all phases of farming have
been demonstrated, particularly emphasis
has been placed on sugar cane production,
truck gardening, and citrus fruit pro-
duction.
In experimenting in sugar cane pro-
ductton Fl acres was planted. with the
SiSIu lIllS S0cSOH averaging 7Uo SdAOIS
to the acre. Instead of planting the
cane in rows four feet apart, the sets
were made in rows six feet apart. Gull
tivators capable of working rows six
feet apart equally as yell as four-foot
rows were used, thus requiring only
IS turns to the acre. With four-foot
rows 90 turns to the acre were required.
The fact that two, three and even
four crops of truck can be raised in one
year on the same land were demonstrated
in the experiments in truck farming.
Crop rotation in its most highly developed
form is a reality in this section
Some Of the multi-crops include tema-
toes, of which two can easily be
produced, four crops of beans, two crops
of Irish potatoes. two crops of sweet
potatoes, followed by a crop of COW
peas, two crops of squash. and two
of cucumbers, as well as many others.
Production of sweet potatoes had reached
225 bushels to the acre. Particularly sue
cessful results were obtained in expert
ments with watermelons and cantalounes
The soil of Calhoun County is partieu-
larIy we'll adapted to truck farming, and
although in the past agriculture has
been carried on on only limited scale,
the demonstrations exhibit that the pos
sibilities are unlimited. Besides the
customary truck crops there is an I'M
limited lineup of prospective crops, all
of which hav been grown on a more or
less extensive scale in this section. These
include strawberries which have been
plentiful up to Jan. /, cabbage, pimentos
etc.
The planting season for truck con-
tinueS throughout the entire year, and
there is hardly a month, with the eX-
ception Of June, when from six to II
varieties may not be planted, according
to reports of the department of agri
culture. Set plants, such as strawberry,
cabbage, and lettuce may best he planted
from October to December, while seed
plants may be planted throughout the
year.
OF particular Importance to this Sec
ton of Florida are the experiments made
IN citrus fruit production on the ex
detrimental farm, of the A. & N. Railroad.
Satsumas and grape fruit, grated
year ago, are producing fruit in the
second year. This furnishes proof posi-
tive that the citrus fruit belt is being
extended northward. The fruit is of ex-
,ellent quality, and give every indiea-
ion of developing in healthy plants.