IN THE EVERGLADES 121 



It is possible that we may be able to acclimate some of the 

 clovers and alfalfa. Various favorable reports have been made 

 upon these useful leguminous plants. In all cases, it is best to 

 have the field thoroughly drained before attempting to grow 

 them, since they do not thrive in a sour or stagnant soil. In 

 seeding clover or beggar weed, great care must be exercised not 

 to get' the seed too deep in the ground. Neither should the seed 

 be sown when the surface soil is exceptionally dry, because under 

 such conditions the sun's rays are apt to penetrate and destroy 

 the vitality of the seed before it has a chance to sprout. A very 

 good way is to first thoroughly prepare the field and then sow 

 the seed directly after a heavy rain. 



Often much can be gained by sowing these seeds directly be- 

 tween the rows of vegetables at their last working. The land 

 at that time is free of weeds and the growth of the young plants 

 is not apt to interfere with the vegetables before they can be 

 harvested. By this method, considerable labor can be saved. 



Should it be desired to save seed of any kind, great care must 

 be taken to choose a dry time of the season to pick and cure 

 them in, as otherwise the vitality will be impaired. Velvet beans 

 are best if picked right from the field and cured in an airy, shady 

 packing house. Should they be infested with weevil, as they are 

 liable to be, the seed, directly after being threshed out, should 

 be placed in a tight receptacle and treated with bi-sulphite of 

 carbon, placing about a gill in a shallow dish in the top of the 

 barrel or receptacle in which the seeds are deposited, covering 

 it over tightly with newspapers and other covers to exclude the 

 air. Precaution should be taken not to expose the fumes 

 of this dangerous explosive to the open fire as there is danger of 

 its igniting. Seed thus treated may be kept for the following 

 season. In fact, all seed should be sown only in the season fol- 

 lowing the one in which they are grown, as the humid atmosphere 

 here has a tendency to destroy their vitality in a very short time. 



