26 ORANGE CULTURE IN FLORIDA. 



further along. I have thus early noticed this sub- 

 ject lest the reader may do what I and hundreds 

 of others have done destroy these magnificent wild 

 groves when attempting to improve them. 



Before beginning to bud a wild orange grove, first 

 cut down all the underbrush, and then the smaller 

 forest trees. This rubbish can be removed or 

 burned and the ashes used as fertilizer for the orange 

 trees, spreading a liberal quantity around the trunks 

 to keep off the " wood-lice" white ants which 

 frequently attack trees where there is much rubbish 

 left on the ground. Or, if lime can be had, sprinkle 

 this around the trunks and let the rubbish rot on 

 the ground. The decayed brush will add greatly 

 to the fertility of the soil and will soon be out of the 

 way. It would add greatly, however, to the ease 

 with which you accomplish your subsequent work 

 to take all this rubbish out of the way. 



The ground cleared of underbrush and small 

 trees, pass through and -select at suitable intervals 

 the forest trees you wish to remain. Select a plenty 

 of these trees, and mark them so that they will not 

 be cut down. If afterward they are found standing 

 too thickly on the ground, some of them can be 

 felled. If felled too hastily, fifty years cannot re- 

 store them. The number of these trees which are 

 to remain is to be determined by circumstances. 

 If the place is well protected by water, fewer trees 

 will answer. But be certain to leave enough trees 

 to keep off the morning sun after a frost, as it is 



