50 
FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 
ange stock. It will be abnormal in size, 
coarse textured, mostly rag and otherwise 
totally unfit. The same condition pre¬ 
vails when grown too rapidly even on the 
trifoliata stock. This calls for due care 
in the selection of soil and climatic envi¬ 
ronment, and also in the manner of ferti¬ 
lizing. If any one of these conditions is 
not right it will be manifested in the qual¬ 
ity of the fruit. Under the most favor¬ 
able growing conditions there will always 
be some inferior fruit that should invari¬ 
ably be discarded and not allowed to get 
into the market. The experienced packer 
can usually tell such fruit at a glance. 
In Florida there is an extensive area in 
which the Satsuma may be grown with 
success. This extends from Perdido Bay 
on the west to the Atlantic on the east and 
as far south as Gainesville. Within this 
region there are numerous types of soil 
and other factors, such as elevation, ex¬ 
posure to undue cold, etc., which would 
disbar any attempt at the cultivation of 
citrus fruits, but on the other hand, where 
the soil is suitable and the location good it 
would seem that the Satsuma can be 
grown with about the same degree of 
safety and assurance of success, as per¬ 
tains to the growing of round oranges in 
the present confines of the upper citrus 
belt of the peninsula. To my mind, North 
Florida has been overlooking a splendid 
opportunity for developing the production 
of the Satsuma on a commercial scale. 
Here we have advantages of soil, climate, 
proximity to markets, freedom from 
storms, in a degree possessed by no other 
section of our country. Perhaps this sec¬ 
tion may yet come into its own by taking 
advantage of the experience gained in 
other sections so that the foundation may 
be laid on more dependable knowledge of 
the essential requirements. 
To the prospective grower of Satsumas 
I would suggest and even urge a delib¬ 
erate and careful study of the subject in 
all its relations before embarking in the 
enterprise. The question of suitable soil 
and proper location for immunity from 
cold, the nearness to shipping facilities, 
possibilities for irrigation and other fac¬ 
tors which may have a decided influence 
on the operations should be given inten¬ 
sive and profound thought before you be¬ 
come anchored to a situation which may 
prove objectionable. By no means secure 
a location because it is inexpensive as to 
first cost, as in the end it may prove a 
costly investment. Rather make a study 
of the orchards which have proven the 
most successful and endeavor to duplicate 
as far as possible in your selection of a 
site the good features which are prime 
factors making for success in these or¬ 
chards. 
There is little excuse for making an 
unwise selection of a location at this stage, 
since there is an abundance of good soil 
adapted to the matter under discussion, 
well elevated with good air drainage to 
afford protection. The price of suitable 
land is a consideration which should never 
cause one to select an undesirable site. At 
this time there are thousands of acres of 
ideal locations at prices ranging from $15 
to $50 per acre. In many cases the land 
is cleared and free from stumps. An or¬ 
ange grove is a life-long enterprise and is 
worthy of the best land available. “Why 
