230 Orange Culture in I^lorida, 



generally thin and the pulp contains an excess of saccharine matter: but on such a 

 soil the trees are of slow growth and the yield limited. On rich and rather heavy 

 soils the trees grow luxurantly, mature early, and produce abundant crops of large, 

 richly colored and marketable fruits. Seme of the largest and finest oranges we 

 ever inspected, were grown on the rich hammock lands in the neighborhood of Brocks- 

 ville. The natural habitat of the wild orange tree is low, rich land, with permanent 

 and potable water within from two to five feet of the surface. 



But little attention has been paid to the preparation of the soil for Orange culture. 

 To any one about to engage in the business, we would say cultivate your trees in a 

 nursery for several years, and each year apply quantum suf. of manure ; by such a 

 proceeding, bearing trees can be produced at an earlier day. Instead of planting 

 the trees where they are to remain permanently, we would thoroughly prepare the 

 soil for their reception. If old and exhausted land, we would plough deep and sow 

 green crops to be ploughed under, or pasture stock on the land. By a judicious 

 selection from three to four green crops can be produced in one year. In the course 

 of three or four years, poor land could be improved by this procedure, and Orange 

 culture made a success. If new land, we would advise the trees to be grubbed and the 

 land thoroughly cleared. If the new land is poor, we would recommend thorough cul- 

 ture, and the growth of green crops as a manurial substance. The poor, sandy lands 

 of Florida are deficient in humus, and the growth and turning under of green crops 

 would secure the needful elements. Those who have been accustomed to raise 

 wheat and corn, will remark, "that this is paying dearly for the whistle." But an 

 orange grove is planted but once in centuries ; that the richer the soil, and the sooner 

 returns are obtained ; and that a bearing grove will yield from five to fifteen hundred 

 dollars per acre annually — hence there is an inducement for thorough preparation of 

 the soil. 



Pruning the orange tree in Florida seems to be tabooed ; and the trees are a dense 

 mass of branches and leaves with the fruit confined to the perephery. If the trees 

 were annually pruned, and the head kept open, a greater quantity, and a superior 

 quality of fruit would be produced. 



The prospector, when examining the State, inquires, " where can I obtain manure ? " 

 To the uninitiated I may remark that muck exists in immense quantities, lime is 

 cheap, and in any of the lakes and rivers fish are in countless numbers awaiting the 

 night line with its hundred or more hooks, or the seine with its trap-like embrace. 

 Hence manure of a superior character can be made at a trifling expense. A superior 

 quality of supcr-phospbate of lime is manufactured at Charleston and sold at $28 per 

 ton. Charles H. Edwards & Co., of Sarasota, are preparing an excellent article of fish 

 guano, and supplying it at $18 per ton. Sheep succeed in the State, and the settler 

 could make them profitable. If shepherded and cared for, their increase would 

 average 90 per cent. The wool is a marketable commodity, and if the animals were 

 penned up at night, the manure produced would be of value. Fowls and cattle suc- 

 ceed, and with pasturage and feed the year round, their manure, associated with 

 plenty of muck and fish, if applied to poor lands, would render thera productive. 



[to be continued.] 



