FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
49 
fallen many thousands of dollars behind 
what most of us confidently expected to 
receive for our fruits, and in the main, I 
fear it is the growers’ fault this time in 
many ways. First, in quality of fruit pro¬ 
duced, Second, in poor packing. Third, 
in rushing green fruit to the market very 
early in the season, with the result of hope¬ 
lessly glutting the markets with slow sell¬ 
ing fruit, and so demoralizing the market, 
that there was no settling to real values, at 
any time during the season; and added to 
all this, was the effects of the cold of Jan¬ 
uary and the consequent loss of large 
quantities of fruit, waiting to be shipped, 
when the market once got settled. Such 
good fruit as was left on the trees in many 
localities has brought very low prices, in 
consequence of frozen, or partially in¬ 
jured fruit having been shipped, usually at 
a loss, but I trust all these hard luck ex¬ 
periences, have carried with them their lit¬ 
tle lessons, relative to properly sorting, 
and packing fruit, etc., as well as bringing 
to the minds of all growers, the necessity 
of producing a good article to offer to the 
consumer if good prices are expected in 
return. 
I trust I will not be encroaching on the 
privileges of some other committee, if I 
say a word or so about insects, and spray¬ 
ing, for I believe a great deal depends on 
spraying, that is essential to producing 
good fruit, for good fruit must have a 
good appearance, as well as a sweet, aro¬ 
matic interior. From the time the bloom 
drops off the young fruit in the spring, 
there are enemies lying in wait to prey 
upon it, during every stage of its develop¬ 
ment, and while there are many locations, 
where soil, and atmospheric conditions are 
at enmity with these insects, and fungus 
diseases, and work wonders as prevent¬ 
ives of damage to the fruit and trees by 
their effects on them, I believe the rule is 
that these insects, and fungus diseases do 
a great deal of damage, and spraying be^ 
comes a necessity, in order that a good 
quality of fruit may be produced, not¬ 
withstanding opinions held to the con¬ 
trary. However, I have learned of cases 
during the past season where beginners 
(at spraying I mean) had done as much 
damage, with their spraying ,or more per¬ 
haps, than the insects sprayed for would 
have done, if left alone. This was because 
they did not use the spray at the right 
time, or used it too strong, or too often. 
While I believe that it is absolutely neces¬ 
sary at all interior points, to spra}^, I would 
caution those who do it, to be sure they are 
right, before they go ahead. Use the 
right thing, at the right time etc. As 
there are numerous bulletins to be had for 
the asking, from the Experiment Station 
at Lake City, besides which advice will be 
gladly furnished by the Station director. 
Dr. Sellards, I would recommend that 
growers avail themselves of all the knowl¬ 
edge these sources afford and thus equip 
themselves with perfect knowledge of 
their enemy before entering the arena. 
White Fly. 
I believe the mention of this little in¬ 
sect is sufficient cause to make every 
grower, who has the well being of his 
grove nearest his heart, look himself over, 
and brush his clothes well before thinking 
of entering his grove again, and if we 
were all as careful as this assertion would 
indicate, I believe it would be a simple 
matter to keep the insect in check. During 
the past two or three years we have all be¬ 
gun to realize what a serious menace this 
insect is to our orange groves, and* many 
plans have been suggested, for fighting it 
successfully, and keeping it in check, and 
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