246 THE CHIEF SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL CROPS 



sandy soils carries better and is juicier and richer in 

 flavor than that on heavy lands. The trees, too, are 

 considered to be healthier and freer from foot rot on 

 light, well-drained soils. In such locations, however, 

 oranges require the liberal use of fertilizers, and 

 their proper application taxes the skill of the 

 grower to the utmost. Nowhere has the use and 

 effect of fertilizers been more closely studied than by 

 the Florida orange growers. While there is still 

 much difference of opinion among them as to minor 

 details, all are in agreement as to the main facts, 

 which are: — 



First, that abundant applications of potash are 

 necessary to secure heavy, juicy fruit of high flavor 

 and good keeping quality. It also seems to add to 

 the vigor and disease-resisting power of the tree. If 

 used too freely, the fruit may be a little too acid, but 

 no other bad results will follow. 



Second, pliosphoric acid is also necessary, but in the 

 case of the orange it seems to be less important than 

 potash. It seems to induce greater fruitfulness, and 

 no harmful results are likely to follow, even from its 

 excessive use. 



Third, while potash and phosphoric acid may be 

 used freely with only good results, great care must be 

 exercised in the use of nitrogen. If this element is 

 not present in sufficient quantity, the leaves will be 

 small and yellow, the tree will lack vigor, and the 

 fruit will be small and poor. If too much is used, 

 the leaves will be dark green and very large, wood 

 growth will be stimulated at the expense of fruit- 

 fulness, and the frait will be coarse, thick skinned, 



