114 



added from 18 inches to 2 feet to their growth, after the root-pruned 

 specimens had ceased to lengthen. The result was that the trees op- 

 erated upon stood through the winter unharmed, while those not root- 

 pruned were frozen back so severely that they never recovered, but 

 gradually died of the yellows. 



^ 



NOTES ON OEANGE CULTURE AND THE PINEAPPLE. 



Recent visits to Florida in the interest of the Department have en- 

 abled me to acquire some knowledge of the climate, soil, and produc- 

 tions of that State as far south as latitude 28. The following desultory 

 remarks, the result of observations made, are offered for what they may 

 afford in the way of answering some of the many inquiries constantly 

 being directed to this division by prospective cultivators and residents 

 of Florida. 



For at least 9 months of the year the climate over the larger por- 

 tion of the State may be considered as being tropical, so the most of the 

 vegetation of warm countries will find a congenial atmosphere during 

 that period. Occasionally this tropical season is longer than that stated 

 above, especially in the most southern parts; but there is a liability to 

 a brief season of low temperature about the end of November sufficient 

 to injure tender vegetation, although the weather may afterwards as- 

 sume its tropical conditions for weeks. During the winter months an 

 occasional depression of temperature, running down to or below the 

 freezing point, may occur at any time up to the end of February or 

 later. These fitful periods of low temperatures are very injurious to 

 early crops of culinary vegetables, as well as to all plants which have 

 started into growth. 



The early winter frosts are also hurtful to plants which have succu- 

 lent shoots not sufficiently matured to withstand the low temperature. 

 This is especially noticeable on young orange and lemon trees which 

 have been subjected to constant culture or to recent applications of 

 fertilizers, causing a stimulation to late growths. Trees of any age, if 

 so treated, will be liable to injury from slight frost, but when the shoots 

 of the previous season on old trees are well matured they are not sen- 

 sibly hurt by frost severe enough to injure their matured fruits ; but 

 young trees are more sensible in this respect, so that the management 

 of young orange groves requires a greater degree of discriminate care 

 and consideration than is necessary with trees of deciduous habits. 



Orange groves located in the neighborhood of Indian Eiver have long 

 been noted for their superior productions, and packages of oranges 

 marked u Indian Eiver" command a higher price than those from other 

 sections of the State. Inquiries have frequently been made with a view 

 of ascertaining the cause of the reputed superior qualities of these 

 fruits, but answers to these inquiries have not been explicit or satis- 

 factory. A recent visit in that section of the State, and a studied in- 



