GROVES FROM SOUR STUMPS. 31 



a tree will begin to pay a good interest on the in- 

 vestment of purchase-money. 



There are some objections to a grove of this kind. 

 These trees from old stumps never grow to be so 

 large as the unbudded seedlings, nor bear so 

 abundantly. They are believed also to be much 

 shorter lived. European writers tell us such is the 

 case, but I do not believe that our experience in 

 Florida has been of sufficient length to test the age 

 to which one of these trees will live and bear fruit. 

 Some of the oldest bearing trees in this State, of 

 such origin, are still fine bearers and in vigorous 

 health. One other objection I will mention. It 

 is generally believed that it is hard to make the old 

 stumps live. The sad experience of those of us 

 who, a few years ago, bought such stumps by the 

 hundred and had them die almost as fast as they 

 were set, has made this kind of business very un- 

 popular. But I am persuaded that most of this dis- 

 aster can be attributed to ignorance and careless- 

 ness. I am satisfied now that if I had handled 

 sweet seedlings as I and every one else then han- 

 dled sour stumps, the sweet seedlings would have 

 died almost as badly. There is no doubt that the 

 younger the tree the less risk there is in removing 

 it. But the early return to be gathered from these 

 sour stumps, budded either before or after removal, 

 will justify the risk in planting a few in every new 

 grove, and if the stumps can be bought at a fair 

 price and are near at hand, so as not to be damaged 



