71 

 CHAPTER XX. 



CONCLUSION. 



To those who are thinking of engaging in this important branch of 

 industry, I would say a few words in concluding. It is evident that 

 Florida is destined to take the lead as a fruit-growing State. Land is 

 rapidly increasing in value. The sooner you buy the better. But be- 

 fore purchasing, learn all you can of the different portions of the State. 

 If possible travel over it with an eye to finding that section which will 

 best suit you, so that after locating, you will never be made to regret 

 your first choice. Each portion has its advantages. Middle Florida 

 has fertile soils, and with its rolling lands, is perhaps, the most beautiful 

 section of the State. The orange has received too little attention in 

 Middle Florida. Those who have made the attempt, with proper care 

 and protection, have grown fine oranges there. 



The country through which the St. Johns River flows, having at 

 once one of the grandest streams in America, and with it ample facili- 

 ties for transportation, has, as yet, attracted the most attention. The 

 eastern shore of this river, especially, is admirably adapted to the cult- 

 ure of the orange. Being protected from the severe north-westerly 

 winds by this wide expanse of water, it is as little liable to the injuries 

 of frost as counties one hundred miles further south. The counties in 

 the lower portion of the State have generally fine lands, and grow the 

 orange successfully. 



Having settled, plant your grove of one or more acres; let the 

 size be determined by your means, never undertaking more than you 

 can keep in the highest state of cultivation. As to choosing between 

 the budded and seedling tree, decide as you wish fruit sooner or later. 

 A budded grove would perhaps best suit a man well advanced in age. 

 If, however, the seedling is your choice, make yourself entirely satisfied 

 as to the quality of the orange from which the seed were taken, and also 

 the remoteness of the original tree from trees bearing fruit of poor 

 quality. Better plant the seed yourself and wait, rather than have 

 doubt on this point. Keep the land rich and thoroughly tilled. The 

 best remedy for drouth, is to have the plow and cultivator or sweep 



