124 
SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE 
and I think a good many of the growers have the impression 
that all fertilizers are bad. But we cannot ignore the valua¬ 
ble results obtained from chemical fertilizers, and the impor¬ 
tant part they have played in our recent horticultural develop¬ 
ment; to do so wonld be to take a step backward; if we were 
to do this we might as well stop holding horticultural meet¬ 
ings. 
Mr. Healy —I have known the gentleman last speaking for 
a number of years—ever since he was a little fellow He was 
a good sort of a boy, and always was so until he went into the 
fertilizer business. Before he went into that business I met 
him quite often, and we used to exchange cigars and whiskey. 
After that he only gave me one cigar and a drink once. I did 
not want any more. I do not know what kind of whiskey he 
carries now, as he does not sell me any more fertilizers. 
H. B. Stevens —I have been to quite a considerable expense 
in getting out muck and applying it direct from the lake, and 
no one who has been through my grove will admit that it is a 
good fertilizer. I applied muck two years ago but have not 
done so since. 
A. D. Moore —I believe this is turning into an experience 
meeting. I am interested a little in oranges; I also plant a 
good many vegetables. I use chemical fertilizers, and I have 
neighbors that use them. I have one neighbor who thinks he 
can afford to haul phosphate twelve miles from the mines. I 
tried to save stable manure myself; my stables are full of it 
now, and I thought perhaps I could find something to do with 
it. I have about come to the conclusion to throw it out in the 
field and let it rot. In connection with &he use of chemical 
fertilizers: A good many parties burn off their land. I break 
my land with a two-horse plow, as deep as the stock can pull 
it. I put chemical fertilizer on in the spring. I have made 
some money out of my crops. 
Mr. Margery —Each man’s land requires fertilizers accord¬ 
ing to its needs. Whenever we find an orange growing near 
a manure heap we find the tree scaly. 
S. S. Harvey —I think the most important question this so¬ 
ciety can investigate and discuss, is the question of fertilizers. 
I have an opinion on this subject formed from experience, that I 
wish to call attention to. You can take a piece of our Florida 
land, plant out a grove, feed it with the best commercial fer¬ 
tilizers, continue to do so until the trees come into bearing, 
and you may have the finest fruit; but continue this same 
treatment for a number of years; continue to give it the best 
of commercial fertilizers in any quantity you see fit, and your 
trees will fail and your fruit become worthless. There is an 
