Chapter I. 

 Soil 



About the first point taken up by the grower who is 

 starting in to "do things right v is soil analysis. It seems 

 such a simple solution of all questions on fertilization 

 and such an insurance of success. "Analyze the soil; 

 compare that with the general analysis of the crop to 

 be grown; buy the lacking ingredients. Why doesn't 

 everyone who cares at all for success go to this slight 

 trouble and expense?" Alas! the disappointment and 

 (often) incredulity when told the plan is not feasible; 

 that the real starting point is the texture of the soil; 

 that the right content of air, water, and humus for the 

 greatest activity of our friendly bacteria must be se- 

 cured before the best of fertilizers can bring about maxi- 

 mum productiveness. 



Productiveness That is what we Floridians like to 

 talk about. Newcomers may laugh at our "sand" but 

 when they hear how much that sand produces they look at 

 it with respect. With our soil and climate, opportunities 

 are unlimited. If Florida is a "lazy man's country" it 

 is simply because the lazy man can exist here more easily 

 than in a colder clime, not at all because there is not 

 a chance for his energetic brother to reap full reward 

 for his activities. 



