DIVISION OF GARDENS AND GROUNDS. 689 



orange groves which may be found throughout the State, planted in 

 candy soils on high pine lands, and contrast their condition and ap- 

 poaranco with tliose which have been described, the difference will 

 be found as striking as it is apparent even to the casual observer. 



In tlie preparation for planting an orange grove on pine lands the 

 first process is that of removing all the forest trees, taking them up 

 by the roots, and cleaning up the land so that it can be broken up 

 with the plow. After thorough preparation by plow and harrow 

 the soil is ready for the orange trees, which are carefully set out. 

 Without shade, shelter, or any kind of protection from the scorch- 

 ing sun and the arid breezes the young trees ara subjected to great 

 vicissitudes. When rains are frequent vegetation proceeds rapidly; 

 a week or two of dry weather intervenes and active growth receives 

 a check for a time; the foliage of the young tree loses its vivid color, 

 and this is considered as indicating the need of a manurial dressing; 

 fei;tilizers of some kind are applied, rains follow, and growth again 

 proceeds satisfactorily so long as sufficient moisture is present in the 

 light sandy soil. 



This somewhat erratic condition prevails in a more or less decided 

 manner during the active growing period of the year, and may ex- 

 tend into the early winter with but a slight lowering of the general 

 summer temperature, until a sudden depression is experienced, and 

 the thermometer indicates that the freezing-point is reached. The 

 temperature again rapidly rises, and the scorching rays of the sun, 

 pouring through a cloudless sky, produce disastrous effects upon the 

 frost-bitten tender shoots and leaves. 



When young trees have been subjected to such casualties it is a 

 difficult matter to prognosticate the extent of the injuries they have 

 received; much depends upon the condition of the individual plant; 

 but in a general way those which have shown the greatest luxuriance 

 will suffer most. Of course injuries from frost depend upon its 

 severity. Six to eight degrees of frost may prove fatal, even although 

 the plants may linger between life and death for a year or two. If the 

 sap of the plant becomes contaminated from that of the frozen shoots 

 or branches, an early death is quite certain. 



A simple precaution, and one that may be looked upon as an effect- 

 ual preventive from further injury to the frost-bitten plant, is to 

 remove the injured twigs as promptly as practicable. The longer this 

 is delayed the deeper seated the injury becomes. The diseased por- 

 tion will exhibit a discoloration in the wood, and all such parts should 

 be removed. 



The following extract from a recent publication was communicated 

 by a well-known horticulturist and successful orange-grower, and is 

 worthy of the serious consideration of every person contemplating 

 the establishment of an orange grove on forest lands: 



I wish to say a word about the plan of deadening the timber instead of making a 

 naked clearing, which is often referred to as a " shiftless cracker way." I came 

 to Florida many years ago with these same prejudices very strong against the 

 "shiftless cracker ' deadening. I cleared off every tree and stump and planted to 

 oranges and lemons 25 acres of heavy pine timber. I think I have learned some- 

 thing by experience, and I can now see that the " crackers" were right and I was 

 wrong. 



A deadening is vastly superior to a naked clearing in economy and favorable con- 

 ditions for the gro^vth and health of the newly set gi-ove. 



As soon as the timber is deadened it ceases to make damaging drafts on the 

 soil, and it makes a semi-shade on the ground very grateful to the young tree in its 

 new quarters. It also breaks the sweep of the wind, and thus decreases the evapo- 

 44 AG— '86 



