328 MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



The oranges in this region have the reputation of being sweeter, thinner 

 skinned and superior in flavor to oranges grown in any other section 

 in Florida. Although oranges predominate in the northern part of 

 this section, grapefruits predominate in the southernmost portion about 

 Miami. This region contains a large amount of calcareous hammock 

 land. In the southernmost region there is much cochina rock and the 

 trees tend to show Chlorosis unless large amounts of organic matter are 

 added to the soil. 



In Florida within every local section, with few exceptions, the indi- 

 vidual groves are scattered and not in continuous, almost solidly 

 planted areas as is so commonly seen in California. Five to 20 acre 

 orchards are scattered here and there, separated by pine woods or 

 stretches of hammock or flat woods. One reason for this scattered 

 condition within a good citrus region, is that since irrigation is not 

 generally practiced, there is no need for close co-operation in the for- 

 mation of irrigation districts, and the most favorable spots are first 

 picked out for planting. Then again, large tracts between groves are 

 often held by railroad, lumber, turpentine or phosphate companies, who 

 hinder their development. 



Fertilization of Citrus Trees. 



Generally speaking, fertilizer is to the Florida grower, what water 

 is to the California grower, the first and prime necessity for the pro- 

 duction of profitable crop^. The summer rains usually furnish the 

 water, but to the majority of the Florida citrus soils, plant food must be 

 added in liberal quantities. A great variety of fertilizer practice pre- 

 vails, but perhaps the most common is to apply a "complete" fertilizer 

 containing the three elements : nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid. 

 This is usually put on in from two to four applications. Where three 

 applications are used (w^hich practice is perhaps most common), the 

 first is put on in the early spring; the second in late spring, and the 

 third in the fall. A large proportion of nitrogen is generally used in 

 the spring, and this is reduced somewhat in the summer and fall. 



Cultivation Practices. 



It would be difficult to make a statement of a method or practice in 

 cultivation of citrus soils prevailing in Florida or California that would 

 not be open to serious cpiestion, since the details are varied perhaps 

 more b}" growers than any other operation of citrus culture. There are, 

 however, certain practices that are more or less common. In Florida, 

 with few exceptions, cultivation is entirely discontinued during the 

 heavy rains of the summer and fall, and resumed after the rains are 

 over. During the dryer part of the year, in winter and early spring, 

 the cultivation on most soils is very shallow. Some growers use a 

 definite summer cover crop, while others leave whatever grass and weeds 

 happen to come up, to grow during the rains. If these get too high and 

 rank, as they sometimes do, they are mowed down and usually left 

 upon the ground. In certain soils where there is an overamount of 

 organic matter already in the soil, this vegetable matter is sometimes 

 removed. It has been found by experience that on many of the Florida 

 soils, cultivation during the rainy season is very injurious to the trees. 

 On soils subject to Exanthema (dieback), this trouble is greatl.y 

 aggravated by such practice. 



