MONTHLY BULLETIN. 337 



4. In Florida cover crops of BecTErarweed, cowpeas, velvet beans, etc., 

 are groAXTi in summer, while in California, unless irrigation water is 

 plentiful, summer cover crops give way to winter cover crops of vetr-h, 

 Melilotus, etc. 



5. In Florida the soils are generallj'^ light and sandy and require large 

 amounts of plant food for the best growth of citrus fruits, while in 

 California, although the citrus soils are much more variable, they 

 average much heavier with a greater amount of clay, therefore, much 

 richer in plant food. 



6. The large number of standard varieties of both oranges and grape- 

 fruit in Florida give way to only a few standard varieties of oranges 

 and one standard variety (Marsh Seedless) of grapefruit in California. 



7. Lemons, not now grown commercially in Florida, are a very 

 important crop in California, while grapefruit, on the other hand, is 

 a very important crop in Florida and is of only secondary importance 

 in California. 



8. What is said in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 in regard to Florida, is 

 true for the most part as regards Cuba, except that Cuba lies between 

 about 19 and 22 degrees north latitude, and that the application to the 

 soil of a continuous cover of vegetable mulch is practiced more exten- 

 sively. 



9. The average soil of Cuba is heavier and richer in plant food than 

 in Florida. Lemons not grown in Florida are grown commercially to 

 a small extent in Cuba, and grapefruit occupies three-fourths of the 

 commercial plantings. 



LAWNS OR WEEDS. 



By O. W. Newman. 



There are probably as many questions propounded each year asking 

 how to eradicate weeds from lawns and flower gardens, as come from 

 most other lines of agriculture combined. This evident desire on the 

 part of many individuals to keep their grounds clean and presentable 

 at all times deserves more serious consideration than it has been 

 receiving. 



Without doubt one of the most difficult problems in California is to 

 keep lawns in good condition. A great deal of money is spent each 

 year in replacing lawns overrun with weeds of one kind or another. A 

 considerable amount of this expense could be averted, however, if the 

 underlying causes of said expense were known. Four-fifths of the 

 trouble from weed pests in our gardens and lawns could easily be 

 saved if we devoted care beforehand to see that we started right. More 

 care should be taken in the selection of lawn and other grass seeds than 

 with any other class of seeds. Some seed houses make a specialty of 

 lawn mixtures, and many of these are no doubt of high quality, but on 

 the whole grass seed is handled as a side issue and as a result is apt 

 to contain impurities of almost any nature. Before making a purchase, 

 therefore, the greatest care should be taken; samples should be sent 

 to the state university for test of both cleanness and germinating 

 quality. Clean seed is not of much value unless a good per cent of 

 it will germinate. The best seed is none too good; never buy cheap 



