WHEEE TO PLA^'T. 



45 



ferred, as given equal, or even better results than the others, with 

 less labor. 



Given two tracts of land, one hammock, the other good pine, 

 at equal cost, and equal advantages in all other respects, many 

 Avould doubtless select the formei". 



But we, with the experience gained by some years residence 

 in Florida, would select the pine land for a permanently satis- 

 factory grove. 



Undoubtedly, the hammocks are the richest lands at the 

 start, but their fertility is deceptive; that is, it is not lasting; trees 

 and vegetables grow finely for several years, but the fertility 

 given to the soil by the once falling leaves of the deciduous un- 

 dergrowth (cut away to make room for cultivation) is soon ex- 

 hausted, and after that every year increases the need of fertilizers 

 in the hammock groves. 



But with pine lands it is just the reverse, they are poorer at 

 the outset, but improve steadily with each year's cultivation. 



Pine land, with clay subsoil, is rapidly coming more and 

 more into favor; as the best possible basis to work upon, it has 

 " bottom " on which one can depend to retain all surplus fertil- 

 izers, until the trees can utilize them. 



When you can find clay subsoil anywhere from one to four 

 feet from the surface, there be not afraid to locate you grove. 



It is not always safe to depend on surface indications, or the 

 reports of others ; the most trustworthy plan is to take a spade 

 yourself, and dig here and there on the land you propose to use 

 for your grove; and thus avoid the possible application of the 

 fable of "The Lark and her young ones." 



We have never yet met an orange grower whose trees were 

 located on good pine, w ith clay a few feet below the surface, who 

 was not thoroughly satisfied with the progress of his grove. 



Then the hammock land is much more expensive than the 

 pine ; Avhen the latter can be had of the best quality from ten to 

 twenty dollars an acre, the former^ is held from fifty to seventy- 

 five, or even one hundred dollars. 



The expense of clearing the laud prepai'atory to cultivation 

 must also be taken into account. The hammock land is full of 



