Proceedings of the ... annual meeting of the Florida State Horticultural Society.

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PROCEEDINGS



OF THE



FOURTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING



OF THE





-.Florida 5tate Horticulttral 5o letUl



HELD AT




ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA., MAY 21, 22 and 23, 1901.



Compiled by the Secretary. PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY.










DuLAND, FLA.:
F. 0. PAINTER & COMPANY 10.












CONTENTS.


O ffi cers . . . . . . . 4 List of Members, Honorary, Life and Annual . . . . 6 Minutes (giving all the events and transactions of the meeting in the order
of their occurrence, but omitting papers, reports, discussions, etc.,
which appear on subsequent pages under topical heads) . ii M em bers P resent . . . . . 15 O pening A ddress . . . . . . 17 The Society's Response . . . . . . I - 7 President's Annual Address . . . . . 18 Celery Culture, with Sub-Irrigation . . . . : 5 Citrus Fruits from a Commercial Standpoint . . 29 The Florida Orange- a Discussion . . . . 33 Lettuce Culture Under Cover . . . . 45 Pineapples and Other Tropical Fruits . . . . . 47 Protection, Cold Weather Cycles, etc.-a Discussion . 52 Culture of Early Peaches . . . . 6o Some Fungous Diseases of Citrus and Other Fruits . . . . 64 Blight of the Pineapple . . . . 71 O rnam entals . . . . . . . . 73 Civilization Increases Bird Life . . . . . 76 P ecan C ulture . . . . . . 78 A Grape Experiment Station . . . . 82 G rapes, Figs, K aki . . . . . 83 Official BusinessElection of O ffi cers . . . . 86 Selection of Place of Next Meeting . . . 86 Officers' ReportsR eport of Secretary . . . . 89 Treasurer's Report for igoi . . . . . 90 Report of Executive Committee . . . . . 90 Report of Special Committee on Library . go






FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 3

Grafting and Budding - Considered from the Standpoint of an Orange
G row er . . . . . . . 9 1 Econom ic Entom ology . . . . . ioo The Study of Forestry . . . . . 107 Fertilizers- Spurious A shes . . . . i i o, Fertilizing and Irrigation . . . . . iis Tomato Growing in Dade County . . . . 118 Potato Culture in the Flatwoods . . . . . . . 121 D warf O range Culture . . . . . 126 Good Roads in Florida . . . . . . . 132 Som e Productive Pom elos . . . . . . 135 Report of Committee on President's Address . . . . 138 F inal R esolutions . . . . . . . . 139, N ecrology . . . . . . . . . 141












FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.



OFFICERS-ELECT FOR 19Ol.



PRESIDENT:
George L. Taber, Glen St. Mary.


Dr. George


VICE-PRESfDENTS:
Kerr, Pierson; G. W. Wilson,
W. A. Cooper, Orlando.


Jacksonville;


SECRETARY:
S. Powers, Jacksonville.


TREASURER:
W. S. Hart, Hawks Park.


EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Lyman Phelps, Chairman, Sanford; E. S. Hubbard, Federal Point;
E. 0. Painter, DeLand.


President, Secretary and Treasurer, ex-officio.







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


STANDING COMMITTEES.


Citrus Fruits-F. D. Waite, Palmetto;
H. L. DeForest, Sanford; John J.
Beers, Emporia.
Diseases and Insects of Citrus-W. S.
Hart, Hawks Park; Geo. W. Adams, Thonotosassa; J. C. Carter, Dade
City.
Peaches, Plums and Pears-W. B.
Healy, Jaffery; R. W. Storrs, DeFuniak Springs; Walter Cooper. Sorrento.
Grapes, Figs and Kaki-C. A. Bacon,
Ormond; A. B. Harrington, Winter Haven; A. G. Goodbody, Bradfordville.
Pineapples-E. F. Sperry, Orlando; F.
W. Lyman, Georgiana; A. D. Alderman, Bartow.
Tropical Fruits Other than PineapplesE. N. Reasoner, Oneco; A. A. Boggs, Cocoanut Grove; Dr. E. E. Pratt,
Limona.
Ornamentals-Mrs. E. S. Hubbard,
Federal Point; Mrs. F. W. Inman, Winter Haven; Mrs. Mary A. Bigelow, Tarpon Springs.
Damage from Cold and Best Methods
of Prevention-Geo. R. Fairbanks, Fernandina; C. C. Shooter, Earleton;
T. P. Drake, Yalaha.
Fertilizers and Irrigation-C. T. McCarty, Ankona; W. E. Parmenter, Jr., Orange Park; Cyrus Jones, Bowling Green.
Nut Culture-Prof. H. Harold Hume,
Lake City; D. L. Pierson, Monticello; H. Fleming, Kissimmee.
Transportation-J. E. Ingraham, St.
Augustine; W. L. Glessner, Macon,
Ga.; M. E. Gillett, Tampa.


Strawberries and Miscellaneous Fruits
Other than Tropical-C. M. Griffing, Jacksonville; H. S. Graves, Gainesville; W. H. Jones, Orange Bend. Entomology-Prof. H. A. Gossard,
Lake City; L. Montgomery, M. D., Micanopy; W. J. Ellsworth, Jessamine.
Vegetables-Prof. H. E. Stockbridge,
Lake City; S. H. Gaitskill, McIntosh;
M. F. Robinson, Sanford.
Marketing and Good Roads-G. P.
Healy, Jaffery; Gardner S. Hardee, Rockledge; A. J. Pettigrew, Manatee.
Forestry-Geo. W. Wilson, Jacksonville; Chas. H. Baker, Grasmere;
Prof. 0. P. Steves, St. Augustine.
New Fruits-Rev. Lyman Phelps, Sanford; E. S. Hubbard, Federal Point;
W. E. Baker, Melrose.


SPECIAL COMMITTEES.

To Confer with Board of Trustees of
State Agricultural College-S. H.
Gaitskill, McIntosh; E. 0. Painter, Jacksonville; Benj. N. Bradt, Huntington.
Delegates to American Pomological
Society Meeting-G. L. Taber, Glen St. Mary; Rev. Lyman Phelps, Sanford; C. T. McCarty, Ankona; Mrs. Florence P. Haden, Cocoanut Grove; E. S. Hubbard, Federal Point; E. 0.
Painter, Jacksonville; Dr. Geo. Kerr, Pierson; W. S. Hart, Hawks Park.













LIST OF MEMBERS.


HONORARY.


Berckmans, P. J., Augusta, Ga.


Redmond, D., St. Nicholas.


LIFE.


Alderman, A. D. Bartow. Allen, Win., 90 White St., New York
City.
Andrews, Clement W., John Crerar Library, Chicago, Ill.
Armstrong, L. H., St. Nicholas. Francisco, Beltran, Monterey, N. L.,
Mexico.
Chidester, D. D., 2321 Madison Square,
Philadelphia, Pa.
Conner, W. E., 532 Madison Ave., New
York City.
Cunliff, L. H., Garden City, N. Y. Ellsworth, W. J., Jessamine. Francis, Jr., Chas., Interlachen. Frink, Aubrey, Glen St. Mary. Gaitskill, S. H., McIntosh. Haden, Capt. Jno. J., Cocoanut Grove. Haden, Mrs. Florence P., Cocoanut
Grove.
Haldeman, W. N., Naples. Harris, E. K., East Palatka. Hart, W. S., Hawks Park. Hastings, H. G., Atlanta, Ga. Harvey, S. S., Havana, Cuba. Healy, G. P., Jaffery. Hentz, W. B., D. D. S., City Point. Hempel, H. A., Gotha. Herf. B. von, 93-99 Nassau St., New
York City.


Hopper, Isaac A., Orlando. Kerr, Dr. Geo., Pierson. Leonard, Geo. W., Hastings. Lewis, Dr. Fred D., 188 Franklin St.,
Buffalo, N. Y.
Loehr, F. C., Fort Ogden. Merritt, Dr. Jos. C., Orlando. Milligan, John W,, Apopka. Painter, E. 0. Jacksonville. Painter, Mrs. E. 0., Jacksonville. Price, F. N., Orlando. Racey, Chas. H., Waveland. Richards, Thos. E., Eden. Robinson, M. F., Sanford. Rolfs, Prof. P. H. Clemson College,
S.C.
Sneden, W. C. Waveland. Smith, Chas. E., Bogwalk, Jamaica. Strauss, J. E., Lealman. Stuart, Leon N., Montemorelos, N. L.,
Mexico.
Taber Geo. L., Glen St. Mary. Temple, Win. C., 1O9O Shady Ave.,
Pittsburg, Pa.
Temple, Mrs. Win. C., Winter Park. Wilson, Lorenzo A., Jacksonville. Woodroffe, Alfred, Auckland, New
Zealand.
Worcester, C. H., Pomona. Wyeth, J. H., Winter Park.







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


ANNUAL.


Adams, Geo. W., Thonotosassa. Adams, Mrs. Geo. W., Thonotosassa. Ainslie, W. L., St. Petersburg. Alden, B. H., Stetson. Allen, Hugh C., Maitland. Ames, M. E., Pomona. Amsden, E. V., Ormond. Amsden, Mrs. E. W., Ormond. Ankeney, Mrs. J. A., Ankona. Arnold, R. A., Orlando. Armistead, J. A., St. Petersburg. Austin, D. E., White City. Axline, C. C., Island Grove. Bacon, C. A., Ormond. Bacon, Mrs. C. A., Ormond. Baker, Chas. H., Grasmere. Baker, Mrs F. E., Earleton. Baker, W. E., Melrose. Balcolm, Mrs. Luke, Paola. Baldwin, D. S., New York City, N. Y.,
435 Fifth Ave.
Barber, C. F., Macclenny. Bartlett, A. F., St. Petersburg. Bell, J. D., St. Petersburg. Beed, John, Bulow. Beers, John J., Emporia. Benedict, A., Daytona. Benedict, Henry, Orlando. Bennett, A. C., Tangerine. Bentley, Miss M. E, St. Augustine. Bernd, Peter, Bowling Green. Bigelow, Hayes, Tarpon Springs. Bigelow, Mrs. Mary A., Tarpon Springs Bieley, H. C., Lake City. Blackman, Rev. E. V., Miami. Blanchard, E. B., Altamonte Springs. Boggs, A. A., Cocoanut Grove. Bovee, E. H., JArtow. Borden, Mrs. Mattie C., Sorrento. Bradt, Benj. N., Huntington. Bradt, Mrs. Benj. N., Huntington. Brown, C. H., Altamonte Springs.


Brown, E. N., Punta Gorda. Bumby, Joseph, Orlando. Bunce, Chas. H., Belleair. Burr, Lafayette, Boston, Mass., 19 Central St.
Brue, Rev. L., St. Petersburg. Caldwell, D. J., Higley. Cameron, L., Jacksonville. Campbell, A. E., Roseland. Campbell, W. B., Crescent City. Cannon, E. E., Gainesville. Carter, J. C., Dade City. Carter, Mrs. J. C., Dade City. Cary-Elwes, D. G., Conway. Chamberlain, E. W., Tangerine. Chapman, J. T., Plymouth. Chappel, Jay, Palmetto. Chenowith, H. P., Orlando. Chilton, B. F., New Smyrna. Chisholm, A. W., Orange City. Clare, W. B., Crescent City. Clarkson, H. C., Palmetto. Cliff, Walter, Crescent City. Cochrane, F. C., Palatka. Cole, F. E., St. Petersburg. Conant, Dr. Edward C., Bartow. Cooke, R. F. E., Leesburg. Cooper, Walter, Sorrento. Cooper, W. A., Orlando. Corbett, C. C., Maclenny. Corrigan, J. F., M. D., St. Leo. Crane, A. H., Nashua. Craver, J. C., Sutherland. Cresson, Wm. H., City Point. Crosby, J. A., San Mateo. Curtis, John B., M. D., Orange Heights. Day, Rev. S. D., Sanford. Dayton, Mrs. Geo. W., Dade City. DeForest, H. L., Sanford. Dewey, Fred S., West Palm Beach. Dickinson, Melissa, Orange City.







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


Dommerich, L. F., New York Ciry, N.Y.
Dorr, Mrs. Win. L., Federal Point. Dorr, Win. L., Federal Point. Drake, T. P., Yalaha. Dubois, Harry, Jupiter. Edwards, S. A., Bartow. Edwards, Win., Plymouth. Embry, W. E., Dade City. Erwin, W. W., Hastings. Ewerton, Chas., Avon Park. Fabyan, John, Conant. Fairbanks, Geo. R., Fernandina Felt, J. P., Emporia. Ferrand, Mrs. F. C., St. Petersbtorg. Fleming, H., Kissimmee. Frank, J. W., Emporia. Fries, Albert, St. Nicholas. Gaitskill, Mrs. S. H., McIntosh. Gillett, M. E., Tampa. Glessner, W. L., Macon, Ga. Goodbody, A. G., Bradfordville. Gore, Mahlon, Orlando. Goodwin, R. L., Fort Pierce. Gossard, Prof. H. A., Lake City. Graham, G. E., Jessamine. Grant, A. J., Dunedin. Graves, H. C., Alachua. Graves, H. S., Gainesville. Greene, S. W., East Greenwich, R. I. Griffing, C. M., Jacksonville. Griffing, W. D., Jacksonville. Hakanson, A., M. D., Chicago, Ill., 153
Ninety-Second St.
Hammond, W. B., Zellwood. Hampton, B. M., Lakemon't. Hampton, Mrs. B. M., Lakemont. Hansen, R. Edward, Chicago, Ill., i54
E. Washington St
Hardee, Gardner S., Rockledge. Hardee, M. C., Eden. Hargreaves, George, Dunnellon. Hargreaves, Nancy A., Dunnellon. Harrington, A. B., Winter Haven.


Harrington, Mrs. A. B., Winter Haven. Harvey, Hazen H., Seffner. Hatler, B. F., Lake Maitland. Hawks, Dr. J. M., Hawks Park. Hayward, E. H., DeLand. Healy, W. B., Jaffery. Heard, J. C., St. Petersburg. Henry, Bert W., New Orleans, La., 918
Hennin Bldg.
Henry, James, St. Petersburg. Hepburn, H. L., Davenport, Ia. Hill, 0. J., DeLand. Hills, T. Morton, M. D., Willimantic,
Conn., 17 North St.
Hilbourn, P. 0., Norwalk. Hine, D. N., Nashua. Hobart, Clarence, Clearwater Harbor. Hodges, F. S., Green Cove Springs. Holdridge, W. H. H., Grove Park. Holt, John, Providence, R. I., 31 Zone
St.
Howard, Dr. Emory Eleazar, Sorrento. Hoxie, A. E., St. Petersburg. Hubbard, R. F., Cazenovia, N. Y. Hubbard, Collins B., Detroit, Mich. Hubbard, E. S., Federal Point. Hubbard, Mrs. E. S., Federal Point. Hubbard, R. J., Cazenovia, N. Y. Hume, Prof. H. Harold, Lake City. Hume, Mrs. H. Harold, Lake City. Hutchinson, J. T., New Augustine. Ingraham, J. E., St. Augustine. Inman, Dr. F. W., Winter Haven. Inman, Mrs. F. W., Winter Haven. Irwin, Allen, Riverview. Jackson, W. T., Gainesville. Jameson, D. T., Largo. Jenness, L. Y., St. Petersburg. Johnson, Edwin W., Jacksonville. Johnson, T. H., Apopka. Johnson, Mrs. T. H., Apopka. Jones, Cyrus, Bowling Green. Jones, Rev. C. J. K., Los Angeles, Cal. Jones, E. L., Waveland.







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


Jones, W. H., Orange Bend. Kempe, Dr. J. J., Rochester, N. Y., 14
Grove St.
Kerr, Mrs. Carrie L., Pierson. Kirkhuff, W. I., Braidentown. Knox, L. B., Bulow. Kraemer, John F., Niagara Falls, N. Y.,
Station A.
Krespach, Pierce A., Sorrento. Lang, Arthur F., Cocoanut Grove. Lees, J. W., Leesburg. Leffler, C. H., Miami. Leovy, Henry J., New Orleans, La.,
Box 1294.
Lewis, W. J., Limona. Lewis, C. H., St. Petersburg, Fla. Limbaugh, H. T., Tampa. Lindsay, J. E., Davenport, Iowa. Lubrecht, H., Island Grove. Luttichau, H. von, Earleton. Lyman, F. W., Georgiana. Lyman, J. R., Melbourne. McCarty, C. T., Ankona. McCarty, Mrs. C. T., Ankona. McClung, J. M., Dunedin. McPh'erson, Marcia J., Stuart. McPherson, Nettie, Stuart. McPherson, Robert, Stuart. Mace, J. P., Lake Helen. Mallary, E. Y., Macon, Ga. Mann, S. B., Glenwood. Mann, W. H., Mannville. Martin, George, Sebastian. Matheny, C. Woodburn, Sarasota. Matheny, Geo. H., Sarasota. Mattison, W. W., Ridgeway, Pa. Mattingly, G. W., St. Petersburg. Mead, Miss M. E., Pierson. Mears, Geo. W., St. Petersburg. Meislahn, H., Clarcona. Merrill, J. V., Messina. Metcalf, W. I., West Palm Beach. Minor, Mrs. M., Waveland. Mitchell, Prof. A. J., Jacksonville.


Moffett, David, St. Petersburg. Montgomery, H. T., Palmetto. Montgomery, L., M. D., Micanopy. Mote, E. H., Leesburg. Munson, F. W., Georgiana. Murphy, W. H., St. Petersburg. Newton, C. M., Orlando. Nordmann, Ferd, New Smyrna. Palen, Peter E., Haines City. Parks, Geo. W., Stuart. Parks, W. Gordon, Stuart. Parks, Mrs. W,. Gordon, Stuart. Parmenter, Jr., W. E., Orange Park. Perry D. W., Pomona. Pettigrew, A. J., Manatee. Phelps, Rev. Lyman, Sanford. Phelps, Mrs. Mary A., Sanford. Phillips, J. H., Melbourne. Phillips, Mrs. J. H., Melbourne. Pierson, D. L., Monticello. Porcher, E. P., Cocoa. Porcher, Mrs. E. P., Cocoa. Powers, S., Jacksonville. Pratt, Dr. E. E., Limona. Prevatt, A. B., Seville. Putney, E. D., Englewood. Racey, Mrs. C. H., Waveland. Reasoner, E. N., Oneco. Richards, J. T., Bartow. Richardson, Wm. C., M. D., St. Louis,
Mo., 411 Olive St.
Roberts, Frank S., Penuelas, Porto
Rico.
Russell, Geo. I., Orlando. Russell, Mrs. Geo. I., Orlando. Sartorius, H. G., Seminole. Sartorius, Mrs. L. A., Seminole. Sartorius, L. G., Seminole. Sayers, Chas., BRooklyn, N. Y., 1155
Manhattan Ave.
Schmelz, Victor, Sylvan Lake. Schneider, Chas. F., Ocala. Schneider, Mrs. C. F., Ocala. Sellmer, Chas., Zellwood.







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


Shooter, C. C., Earleton. Shooter, H., Earleton. Shurtz, 0. C., Gilbert, Ohio. Simmons, W. R., Glen St. Mary. Sjostrom, L. H. 0., Hallendale. Smeltz, Henry A., Tarpon Springs. Sneden, Mrs. W. C., Waveland. Sorensen, John, Jensen. Sperry, E. F., Orlando. Steves, Prof. 0. P., St. Augustine. Steinmetz, J. B., Clay Springs. Stevens, H. B., Stetson. Stevens, Mrs. H. B., Stetson. Stewart, A. K., St. Louis, Mo., 5570
Etzel Ave.
Stockbridge, Prof. H. E., Lake City. Storrs, R. W., DeFuniak Springs. Street, A. W., Ormond. Straub, W, L., St. Petersburg. Strunk, Wm. P., Roodhouse, Ill. Stryker, Thos. H., Rome, N. Y. Suttie, D. A., Belfast, Ireland, Albert
Square.
Sulzner, Chris., Miami. Taber, Mrs. G. L., Glen St. Mary. Tatem, Miss Muriel, Stetson. Teall, Geo. C., Eau Claire, Wis. Tenney, J. F., Federal Point. Thomson, John, Clearwater Harbor. Thornton, C. B., Orlando. Thomas, Robert, St. Petersburg. Tilden, W. L., Oakland. Tischler, P., Jacksonville. Townley, John, Miami. Townley, J. L., Miami. Trowbridge, S., Green Cove Springs.


Van Houten, C. S., Orlando. Van Wyck, Miss Mary, New Hamburg,
N.Y.
Waite, F. D., (2) Palmetto. Wakelin Anios, Bullitt Building, Philalelphia, Pa.
Wakelin, Grace V. Wakelin, Guilford M. Warner, S. C., New York Mills, N. Y. Weeks, Geo. M., Glen St. Mary. Weihman, Chas., St. Petersburg. Weidman, Jacob, Pittsburg, Pa., 319
Lexington Ave.
Williams, J. C., St. Petersburg. Westphal, A. M., Island Grove. White, C. G., Hastings. White, J. M., Orange City. White, Kirk M., Crescent City. White, Miss L. M., Hastings. Whitman, Albert M., West Palm Beach. Whitten, Win. M., South Bend, Ind. Whittle, Mrs. Annie, Seminole. Whittle, J. C., Seminole. Williams, H. E., Miami. Wilson, Geo. W., Jacksonville. Witherington, H. H., Apopka. Wolf, C. F., Jensen. Wood, Geo. H. Tangerine. Wood, E. R., Miami. Wood, N. G., Miami. Woods, Mrs. M. L., Bowling Green. Woods, Dr. S. R., Bowling Green. Worcester, Mrs. C. H., Pomona. Wyckoff, John S., Citra. Wylie, J. H., Interlachen.














PROCEEDINGS


OF THE


FOURTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING

OF THE



Florida 5tate Hortiultural 5 odetU.


The fourteenth annual meeting of the Florida State Horticultural Society was held at St. August Ine upon the invitation of the council of that city. The Society convened in the armory at the city building on Tuesday, May 21, 1901, at 8 :oo p. in., in accordance with the published program, and adjourned sine die on the following Thursday at io:oo


p. m. About 140 members were present, and it was the generally expressed feeling that the interest of the meeting itself had never been surpassed, while the hearty, thoughtful hospitality of the people of St. Augustine rendered it also perhaps the most enjoyable in our history.


Minutes.


FIRST DAY.

OPENING SESSION.

Tuesday, 8 :oo p. m.
I. Call to order by President Taber. 2. Prayer by Rev. L. S. Rader, pastor of Grace M. E. Church.


3. Address of welcome by Mayor E. E-. Boyce, of St. Augustine. (See page
1 7.)
4. Response on behalf of the Society by Mr. C. T. McCarty. (See page 17.)
5. President's annual address. (See page 18.)







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


6. Mr. J. E. Ingraham announced that the ladies would give the Society a reception at Fort Marion, to which all the members were cordially invited.
7. Paper on Celery Culture, by Frederic H. Rand, of Sanford, read by the Secretary, in the absence of Mr. Rand. (See page 25.)


SECOND DAY.
MORNING SESSION.
Wednesday, 9:oo a. m.
8. Report of Standing Committee on Citrus Fruits, by Chairman E. S. Hubbard. (See page 28.)
9. Report by B. M. Hampton, also of the Committee. (See page 30
io. Discussion of the above. (See page 33.)
i i. A box of very fine poinelos was presented to the Society by Potter Brothers, of "Devil's Den Orange Grove," Cocoanut Grove, Dade county. Grown on rocky pine land.
12. Report of Standing Committee on Diseases and Insects of Citrus Fruits, by Prof. H. A. Gossard, was not presented, but a discussion took place on the subject. (See page 37.)
13- Statement as to local program of entertainment.
14. President Taber stated that he had authentic information from Washington that a new and ample appropriation had been made by the Department of Agriculture, to resume the study of citrus fruits in Florida, interrupted some years ago.
15. Motion made by Rev. Lyman Phelps that, in recognition of the many courtesies received by this Society from


Jacksonville, a collection be taken up in relief of the sufferers. Adopted.
16. Paper on Lettuce Culture Under Cover, by W. H. Draeger, read by the Secretary. (See page 43.)
17. Discussion of the same. (See page 46.)

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Wednesday, 2:00 P. M.
I& Letter read from W. A. Taylor, Secretary of the American Pomological Society, extending a cordial invitation to the members of this Society to attend their meeting in Buffalo, September 12 and 13.
ig. President Taber read a letter from Prof. H. J. Webber, expressing his appreciation of the Society's work, and regretting his inability to attend or send in a contribution.
20. The President appointed as a Committee on Final Resolutions, E. 0. Painter, G. W. Adams and E. V. Blackman.
21. Rev. Lyman Phelps, E. S. Hubbard and S. H. Gaitskill were appointed a committee to consider certain parts of the President's Message.
22. Letter read from Mr. J. E. Ing-raham, placing at the disposal of the Society t large number of free tickets to South Beach, given by courtesy of the St. Augustine & South Beach Railway.
23. Standing Committee on Pineapples made no report; in lieu of it a general discussion took place. (See page 47.)
24. Standing Committee on Damage from Cold made no report. An interesting discussion arose, participated in by several members. (See page 52.)
25. Mr. J. E. Ingraham, voicing the







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


unstinted hospitality of St. Augustine, asked if there was any other way whatever in which the people could serve the Society.
26. It was announced that the veteran members, D. Redmond and C. A. Bacon, were ill and could not attend the meeting. A vote of condolence was passed, and E. 0. Painter was appointed to convey it to Dr. Redmond and E. W. Amsden to do the same in the case of C. A. Bacon.
27. Report of Standing Committee on Pears, Peaches and Plums reported through the chairman, J. P. Mace, his paper being read by the Secretary. Also the paper sent in by C. C. Shooter. (See page 6o.)
28. Discussion on Peach Culture. (See page 62.)
_-q. Paper read by Prof. H. Harold Hume on Fungous Diseases of Citrus and Other Fruits, with samples of the diseases. (See page 64.)
3o. Discussion of above. (See page 70-)
EVENING SESSION.
Wednesday, 7:00 P. in.
31. Standing Committee on Ornamentals presented a report through the chairman, Rev. Lyman Phelps. Also a paper by Mrs. Florence P. Haden, of the committee. (See page 73.)
32. Discussion of above. (See page 75.)
33. E. S. Hubbard called attention to the magnificent palms with which the ladies had embellished the hall.
34. Paper, Civilization 'Increases Bird Life, by S. Powers. (See page 76.)
35. Discussion. (See page 78.)
36. Standing Committee on Nut Culture made no report. A general discus-


sion on Pecan Culture ensued, led by Professor Hume. (See page 78.)
37. Report of Standing Committee on Grapes, Figs and Kaki, reported through the chairman, H. von Luttichau. Also a paper by W. D. Griffin, of the committee. Both on Grape Culture. (See page 82.)
38. Discussion of the subject. (See page 84.)


THIRD DAY.

MORNING SESSION.
Thursday, 9:oo a. in.
39. Tickets for South Beach excursion handed in by Mr. Ingraham.
40. Committee on New Fruits appointed: Rev. Lyman Phelps, E. S. Hubbard, W. E. Baker.
41. Delegates to attend the meeting of the American Pomological Society in Buffalo appointed: Rev. Lyman Phelps, C. T. McCarty, Mrs. F. P. Haden, E. 0. Painter. A motion was made by W. S. Hart, and the Secretary put it before the house, that President Taber be the chairman of these delegates, with authority to fill all vacancies in Buffalo.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Wednesday, 2:00 P.
42. The Nominating Committee presented their report, recommending that the entire present board of officers be reelected; which was accordingly done by one motion.
43. Speeches by the newly-elect. (See page 86.)
44. For the next place of meeting all the speeches were made in favor of Tampa. (See page 86.)






FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


45. Tampa was unanimously chosen as the next meeting place.
46. Secretary's report read. (See page 89.)
47. Treasurer's report read. (See page go.)
48. Executive Committee's report presented. (See page go.)
49. President Taber made a statement as to the terms and conditions hinder which the reduced transportation rate was obtained this year. The Jacksonville fire compelled the officers to change the meeting-place to St. Augustine on short notice, and this caused a little confusion.
50. C. W. Butler stated that the rate of one cent a mile had already been promised for next year for the Tampa meeting.
51. Treasurer W. S. Hart stated that he bad received the sum Of $42.25 from the members for the Jacksonville fire suff erers.
52. Paper on Grafting and Budding, by W. S. Hart. (See page gi.)
53. Discussion of the same. (See page 97.)
54. Resolution presented in favor of protection of forests.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Thursday, 2:00 P. M.
55. Report of Standing Committee on Entomology was presented by the chairman, Prof. H. A. Gossard, with illustrations of fumigating tents. (See page 100.)
56. Discussion of above. (See page 105.)
57. Committee on Forestry reported through Major G. R. Fairbanks. (See page 107.)


58. Discussion of above. (See page 109.)
59. Standing Committee on Fertilizers made no report.
6o. Prof. H. E. Stockbridge made some remarks on the bogus character of "Canada hardwood ashes." (See page I io.)
61. Major Fairbanks had previously offered a resolution appealing to the Legislature to protect Florida forests. This was now amended to include protection against the turpentine men! and adopted.
62. Paper on Fertilizers sent in by E. D. Putney, but too late to be read.
63. No report from the Committee on Transportation.

EVENING SESSION.

Thursday, 7:00 p. ni.
64. Motion made and carried that this session wind up the business.
65. C. T. McCarty offered a resolution requesting the Legislature to make an appropriation of $2,500 for the State Fair. Adopted.
66. Report of Standing Committee on Vegetables was presented by Rev. E. V. Blackman, in an individual paper on Tomato Culture. (See page 118.)
67. C. G. White also read an individiial report, a paper on Potato Culture. (See page 121.)
68. Discussion on above papers.
69. S. Powers read a paper on Dwarf Orange Culture. (See page 126.)
70. Discussion of same,
71. Committee on Strawberries and Miscellaneous Fruits made no report.
72. Committee on Marketing and







FLORIDA 8TATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIR'7


Good Roads called. The Secretary said he had a rather lengthy paper on Good Roads from C. H. Baker, of the committee. On motion, it was ordered to be published in the annual report, time being limited. (See page 132.)
73. Library Committee called. Secretary S. Powers read a report.
74. Committee on Co-operation with Trustees of State Agicultural College


called. S. H. Gaitskill stated that the committee had nothing to report.
75. Mr. Phelps moved that this committee be continued another year. Carried. Members are: S. H. Gaitskill, E.
0. Painter, Benj. N. Bradt.
76. Committee on Final Resolutions reported. (See page 139.)
77. Resolutions adopted.
78. Adjourned sine die.


MEMBERS PRESENT.


The following members registered at the Secretary's desk; there may have
been others who did not enroll their names:


W. S. Hart. Cyrus W. Butler. James Henry. J. E. Strauss. W. H. Cresson. Walter Cliff. W. I. Metcalf. J. H. Phillips. Mrs. J. H. Phillips. W. E. Embry. Benj. N. Bradt. Mrs. Benj. N. Bradt. Lyman Phelps. Mary L. Phelps. C. H. Racey. L. G. Sartorius. Mrs. L. G. Sartorius. H. G. Sartorius. J. C. Whittle. Mrs. J. C. Whittle. B. F. Chilton. Jno. J. Beers. B. S. Potter. E. F. Sperry.


R. A. Arnold. H. P. Chenowith. Henry Benedict. A. B. Prevatt. M. E. Gillett. Prof. H. E. Stockbridge. Prof. H. A. Gossard. J. A. Crosby. S. R. Woods, M. D. Mrs. S. R. Woods. J. M. McClung. L. Cameron. John Sorensen. W. H. Mann. Miss M. E. Bentley. Win. L. Dorr. Mrs. Win. L. Dorr. Miss L. M. White. Muriel Tatem. Dr. Edward E. Conant. C. G. White. H. H. Witherington. J. B. Steinmetz. E. P. Porcher.







FLORIDA STATB HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


Mrs. E. P. Porcher. G. S. Hardee. J. C. Carter. Mrs. J. C. Carter. Mrs. G. W. Dayton. W. G. Parks. E. 0. Painter. E. S. Hubbard. Mrs. E. S. Hubbard. Miss Mary Van Wyck. C. T. McCarty. Mrs. C. T. McCarty. R. W. Storrs. C. M. Griffing. W. D. Griffing. Geo. I. Russell. Mabel M. Russell. T. P. Drake. Oliver P. Steves. H. Meislahn. H. Price Williams. Mrs. Price Williams. John J. Haden. Mrs. Florence T. Haden. B. F. Hatler. A. W. Chisholm. C. F. Barber. W. E. Parmenter, Jr. H. Harold Hume. Mrs. H. Harold Hume. Aubrey Frink. Cyrus Jones. V. Schmelz. E. V. Blackman. George Kerr. Mrs. Carrie Lincoln Kerr. Miss M. E. Mead. Jno. S. Wyckoff. J. M. Hawks. H. C. Bieley. Joseph Bumby. W. A. Cooper. W. H. Jones.


Walter Cooper. W B. Campbell. S. B. Mann. Dr E. E. Pratt. D. N. Hine. D. W. Perry. M. E. Ames. J. P. Felt. Chas. F. Schneider. Mrs. Chas. F. Schneider. W. J. Lewis. H. H. Harvey. Geo. W. Adams. A. B. Harrington. Mrs. A. B. Harrington. W. L. Glessner. F. C. Loehr. J. H. Wyeth. W. E. Baker. J. H. Wylie. E. N. Reasoner. Win. Edwards. F. D. Waite. A. D. Alderman. J. S. Chapman. J. T. Richards. L. B. Knox. D. D. Powell. Mr. H. B. Stevens. Mrs H. B. Stevens. G. L. Taber. Mrs. G. L. Taber. T. H. Johnson. Mrs. T. H. Johnson. F. C. Cochrane. W. J. Ellsworth. Geo. E. Graham. D. L. Pierson. S. H. Gaitskill. Mrs. S. H. Gaitskill. B. H. Alden. Stephen Powers. F. W. Inman.















The address of welcome by Mayor E. E. Boyce, of St. Augustine, was a characteristic bit of sturdy and independent American officialism, voicing the kindly and sincere hospitality which intelligent American communities entertain toward the tillers of the soil. The welcome of St. Augustine was aptly typified by the enormous palm boughs with which the hall had been ornamented, spreading far out overhead like the arches of a cathedral-decorous, stately, free from all the evanescent effects of perishable flowers-an old-time courtly hospitality well befitting the Ancient City. Mayor Boyce said, among other things:
"To this old city, with all its historic associations we welcome you most cor-


dially. We extend to you the warmest hospitalities of our homes and our hearthstones. We trust that while you are here you will feel that the perfect freedom of the city is open to you, and, as the representative of the people of St. Augustine, I extend to you, Mr. President, and to you, gentlemen of the Horticultural Society, the freedom and the hospitality of St. Augustine, trusting that you will avail yourselves of one and enjoy the other, that in years to come, when you look back to the first meeting of the twentieth century, you will pronounce it the most pleasurable and profitable in the annals of the State Horticultural Society of Florida."


THE SOCIETY'S RESPONSE.


On behalf of the Society, Mr. C. T. McCarty, with only a few minutes' preparation, speaking in place. of another, rose to a fine touch of eloquence. He said in part:
"It occurs to me that he must be dull indeed who, with the history of three and a half centuries surrounding him, were not able to rise to such an occasion as this. And what is represented by these three and a half centuries? Havoc and war have disappeared, and nature has


reached the zenith of power and grandeur.
"The United States of America, of which we are justly proud, has risen from a small settlement on the remote peninsula of Florida to one of the leading nations on earth. Ladies and gentlemen of St. Augustine, we feel that you are indeed fortunate in your homes, in your surroundings, having about you the place where the first city in America found its permanent home.


OPENING ADDRESS.







FLORIDA STATE EORTICULTURAI SOCIETY


I feel it on behalf of the Society my duty as well as my pleasure to say that we are keenly alive to the beauties that surround you; and in passing, I cannot fall to say a word for our stricken sister city, now in ashes. Among the great disastrous fires that have visited many, we have been the unfortunate sufferer from one in our own State. Few can realize it. Many years ago I saw the ruins of the city of Chicago, one of the


greatest calamities in the history of the world. We to-day mourn the loss of the city which is perhaps second only in magnitude to that proportionately. We assure the people of Jacksonville that they have our deepest sympathy. We have eaten salt and broken bread with them; we have enjoyed most keenly on many occasions their hospitality. We expect to enjoy ourselves equally keenly in the city of St. Augustine."


brick and niortar, what should we do; what ought we to do?
A hasty conference of some of our officers and members resulted in the decision that the meeting should still be held in Jacksonville, provided it could be accomplished in a way that would prove beneficial to Jacksonville but not otherwise. In times past we had been welcomed there as guests. We had partaken of the bread and salt of a city noted throughout the country for its generous hospitality. For-tune had been kind to some of us during the past year. and perhaps some of us, viewing the ruin wrought, would feel minded to contribute toward the necessities of those with whom fortune had dealt less kindly; we would at least leave in the city some of the dollars that trade and hotel bills imply, and we would reciprocate, so far as in us lay, the kind expressions of encouragement, of hope and of


Members of the Florida State Horticultural Society, Ladies and Gentlemen: On a fateful Friday a little less than three weeks ago the wires carried throughout the length and breadth of the land the dire news that the city of Jacksonville was in flames. The next day some of us drove for hours over fallen wires, cluttering brick and other unburnable debris, through smoking ruins of what had been the fairest residence and most prosperous hiisiness portions of the Gate City to Florida.
The time for our Horticultural Society meeting had been set for May 21 to 24. Hotel accommodations had been arranged; transportation had been secured. We were to convene at the beautiful Board of Trade rooms in Jacksonville. But now with her largest hotels vanished into thin air, her Board of Trade building, opera house and other convention places but unsightly piles of


President's Annual Address.



GEORGE I-. TABER.







FLORIDA STATE IJORTIC(iLTURAL SOCIETY


cheer that Jacksonville had extended to us during the (lark days of our own adversity.

RECUPERATIVE POWERS UNDERRATED.

Acting upon this decision, Secretary Powers sent out his first circular annouincing that, notwithstanding the fire, the meeting would still he held in Jack sonville. A fewv days later, however, a second canvass of the situation, in which your President consulted with VicePresident George WV. Wilson and Secretary Powers. of the Society, and the prominent railroad, city and Board of Trade officials of Jacksonville, resulted in a reversal of our first decision. It became plain that we had underrated Jacksonville's wonderful recuperative powers. Her burnt-out population, instead of leaving the city in swarms, remained to rebuild the fallen city and recoup their fallen fortunes. The city needed every available room for officing and housing her own inhabitants. The kindliest service we could render Jacksonville was to look for other quarters. We accepted St. Augustine's kind invitation, Secretary Powers sent out notices to that effect, and we are here.
The thanks of the Society are due the railroads, Which, with courtesy and promptness, made available for St. Augustine the reduced rates that had been granted for Jacksonville. Our thanks are also due the Board of Trade of Jacksonville and its large-hearted, wholesouled president, Capt. C. E. Garner, the worthy president of the Relief Association, who, when your President told him that we had decided to go to St. Auigustine, said, "Brother Taber, please say to your Society and to the good people


of St. Augustine that in addition to the losses Jacksonville has sustained by fire, she feels the loss of the Horticultural Society meeting."
In addition to St. Augustine's invitation, we received one from the city of Orlando andl one from the city of Tampa. On behalf of the Society, thanks were conveyed to the mayors of both of these cities together with the information that, tinder the circumstances, we thought better to come here.
Your President wishes to extend his personal thanks to the Executive Comnmittee for empowering him with their prerogative and indorsing, in advance, his decision as to place of meeting, when red tape would have seriously impeded the prompt action that the exigencies of the case demanded.

SOCIETY A SUFFERER.

The fire which was so disastrous to Jacksonville was far-reaching in its effects, and our Society is one of the sufferers-to comparatively small extent, it is true, yet the loss is one we deplore. All records of the Society and all annua; reports on hand for the past years were destroyed. This makes it impossible to supply life members from now on with reports published prior to the fire. I am, happy to say, however, that the library,, of which the Library Committee's report will show we have a nucleus, was not burned. In this connection I wish, without discrimination against other contribuitors, to call special attention to the generosity of Mrs. Frances E. Manville, of Orange City, who, in remembrance of her husband, our former Secretary, A. H. Manville, kindly donated the complete, collection of horticultural books which,







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


he possessed at the time of his death.
While each and every one of us must deplore the calamity that made necessary a change in our meeting place, yet it seems to me peculiarly fitting that the Florida State Horticultural Society, which, more than any other, represents the peaceful, substantial progress of our State, should hold a convention in this historic town, the oldest, not only in Florida, but in the United States. It was here that, more than three and onethird centuries ago, Menendez's expedition of conquest and control first found anchorage. It was from this port the Don sallied forth to Ove battle to the Frenchman; it was near this town the massacre of the French occurred that, in turn, brought forth from France the expedition that wrought terrible retribution on the Spaniard. In those days Florida was primeval. The most valued art was the art of war. Fighting, for occupation or defense, was for many years the most important business of the inhabitants of this city and of this State. It had to be. Those were days when, if ever, might made right. But now see how changed! No need now for sentries to pace the ramparts of yonder ancient fort and signal whether the fleet sailing up the bay is bringing relief to a beleaguered people, or flying colors that mean fight or be destroyed. No need now for moat or drawbridge. No need now for the portcullis at old Fort Marion to be kept in working order; the one at the Ponce de Leon has replaced it-and it is raised to all without fear of an enemy. St. Augustine has no enemies, but hosts of friends, and among them all none more friendly that the horticulturist. It is in the practice of our art that the grounds surrounding her palatial


buildings have been embellished, and without this art her magnificent architecture would lose half its significance.

THE SCOPE OF WORK.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, let us consider for a few moments the scope of work that lies before us at this meeting. Our- Society has to deal with the horticulture of the second largest State east of the Mississippi river, embracing, roughly speaking, fifty-nine thousand square miles. From Fernandina to the Perdido we cover six degrees of longitude, and from St. Mary's river to Capp Sable about the same number of degrees of latitude. Figures, however, whether representing distances or areas, carry much more weight when reinforced by comparisons:
Let us suppose that aerial navigation
-which the present century will undoubtedly see perfected-is already in successful operation. With one of these space-annihilating machines, let us start from the northwestern extremity of the State of Florida and make a flying trip in a straight line to the southeastern extremity of our mainland. An examination of the meter will show that we have logged off five hundred and fifty miles. Now, returning to our initial point of Northwestern Florida, let us take a trip of equal distance in a northeasterly direction. This will take us across a large portion of the State of Alabama, the whole of the States of Georgia and South Carolina, and land us in the middle of the State of North Carolina, or, with our course a little more to the northward, take us clear over the northern line of North Carolina into Virginia; or, trending still more to the northward,







FLORIDA STATE BORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


stories in this country prior to the Spanish war-that are, either in whole or in part, nearer to the State of Florida than the two extremities of our State are to each other. (As a matter of fact, there is one other State that comes within the distance, but not within the circle; this is Ohio, the southern extremity of which is nearer to Fernandina than our northwestern extremity is to our southeastern.)
Now, if these figures and comparisons applied to a State situated farther north, surrounded on all sides by other States, the situation, while still admitting of plenty of work on our part, would be vastly simplified. In that case we would be one of a cluster of States having, horticulturally speaking, much in common. We could consult horticultural papers and horticultural reports of States adjoining us on the east or west or south, and obtain valuable information from our neighbors working under similar conditions of soil and climate. But when we consider that the only two States with which we come in contact are those that constitute our northern boundary, and that, leaving these, otir State immediately trends southward into salt water and warmer latitudes, our unique position and comparative isolation among the sisterhood of States becomes doubly apparent; we realize more fully how much we are thrown upon our own horticultural resources. I am happy to say that these resources have never yet failed us-and are not likely to.
Returning again to our map and stirveying the territory over which our northeastern flight took us, we will find that while yet in mid-air before the flight was half completed wk were passing over


land us in West Virginia, after having covered portions of the States of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Pursuing a still more northerly direction, we can land in Northern Kentucky, almost up to Cincinnati, 0. Flying north and northwest, we can land one-third of the way up the States of Indiana or Illinois, or the center of the State of Missouri; or, with just a few extra revolutions of our propeller, can land in Southeastern Kansas. In an almost westerly direction, we would land near Austin, the capital of Texas, or, trending a little more to the southwest, almost reach Corpus Christi. Directly south or directly east we would not care to fly, or at least to light when our five hundred and fifty miles were completed. In the one direction we would land in deep water well down the Gulf of Mexico, with nothing more tangible to grasp at than the Tropic of Cancer, and in the other direction we would disappear from sight in the Atlantic, two hundred miles east of Fernandina.

VAST DISTANCES.

Now, while some of us might find this flying to be a pleasant sensation, others of us might not, and as none of tis are yet used to it, and our airship might not accommodate us all, let us take a map of the United States and a pair of compasses, and drawing a circle with the northwestern point of Florida for its center and our southeastern mainland on its periphery, attain the same results. This circle will not only corroborate the distances named, but also show us that there are fifteen States and one Territory
-one-third of all the States and Terri-







FLORIDA STATE HORTICOLTURAL SOCIETY


yvhich, while no relation to the Le Conte or other pears, holds out promising inducements and is probably no more subject to attacks of blight than is the saurian whose name it has borrowed.
In Northern Florida the cultivation of the pecan nut is assuming large proportions, and very justly so. In extreme South Florida we find that mammoth of all nuts, which produces both food and drink, the cocoanut, growing under as radically different conditions from those suited to the pecan as can well be conceived.
In sections of Northern Florida some varieties of the true Japan plum, Prunus triflora, have fruited well, and crosses that have been and will be produced between these and our native types promise much for a large portion of the State. In Southern Florida the Eriobotrya, Japonica, or Loquat, also erroneously called Japan plum, is of great value and worthy of being planted more extensively than at present. Several improved named varieties of these are already in existence that are very much larger and in every way superior to the common seedlings.
In Northern Florida we have the figs, Japan persimmon and grapes to consider, and many varieties of these are equally adapted well down the State; and again in South Florida, the pomelo, lemon, lime, guava and mango, together with minor fruits of even more tropical character, come in for our attention.
And now, last to mention, but perhaps first in importance, comes the orange, the fruit that, more than any other, has made us famous; the one with which the name of Florida is inseparably linked. Where shall we draw the line of demarkation between adaptability and


the largest peach orchards in the world. Investigation will show us that some Of the varieties comprising those immense Middle Georgia orchards are also adapted to our initial point of Northwestern Florida, but that coming east and south from there the adaptability of these varieties gradually diminishes until before we reach an imaginary line drawn across the State from Cedar Key to Jacksonville their fruitfulness has become so impaired as to make them utterly valueless for commercial planting. Now, this does not mean that south of this line we cannot grow peaches-for, on the contrary, we can and do. It means simply that peaches for semi-tropical planting must be of tropical or semi-tropical origin. Investigation will show us that the kinds most largely planted in peninsular Florida, and which are now being shipped by the carload from sections that a few years ago did not know they could grow peaches, are to a very large extent varieties that have originated in Florida and belong to types introduced from the tropics.

FRUIT OF ALL KINDS.

In the northern portion of our State apples can be grown, although, it must be admitted, not with such degree of success as will warrant extensive planting. In the southern half of the State we have an apple that is ten times as large and ten times as luscious, the cultivation of which has assumed large proportions and has proven immensely profitable; it is the pineapple.
In Northern Florida pears have been profitably grown, although in recent years badly affected by blight. In Southern Florida a so-called pear is grown







FbORIOA STATE- HORTIOULTURAb 80010TY


non-adaptability of this queen of fruits? To be sure. (luring storm and stress of weather that recent years have brought us, she has been seeking protection near the Everglades, but does this mean that she has abandoned her old haunts forever? We think not. We believe that all that portion of Florida that has been graced with her presence in the past will be graced with it again; that in her trip southward she is simply extending her dominion and making it that much larger than ever before. Her votaries farther up the State do not relinquish their claim upon her simply because those farther down the State have filed theirs. Already, with less than three years elapsed since the hardest freeze ever known in Florida, there are coniputed to be one thousand boxes of her golden output in sight in one grove within ten miles of the Georgia line.
But it is not alone the fruits of Florida that demand attention at our hands; if so, we would be a pomological society rather than a horticultural one. Pomology treats of fruits and fruit trees; horticulture embraces all of pomology and much more. Vegetables, shrubs and flowers, as well as fruits, come within the scope of a horticultural society. Our printed programme shows that all these are given a place.
Referring once more to our unique position on the map, I wish to call attention to what I believe to be a means of adding largely to the horticultural wealth of the State, if we will go at it systematically, and that is the growing of new varieties with the material already at hand to serve as a basis. Take for instance peaches, to which I have before alluded, and plant a few pits year after year from the best, earliest and most


fruitful varieties grown in the locality in which each of us is situated. If each member of this society would do this for a few years in succession I believe varieties would be originated that would be to Florida what the far-famed Elberta is to Georgia and states to the northward. it does not take much room to do this; the pits may be planted one or two feet in the rows and rows eight feet apart. After they have fruited dig up those that produce only mediocre or poor fruit, and let the others stand; not as the basis of a commercial orchard in themselves, but for further test as to possibility of varieties that may prove worthy of extensive propagation and planting. While budded varieties only should form the basis of a commercial orchard, yet the few trees to which our little plot will be ultimately thinned will be the very best varieties out of the lot of seedlings produced and, whether we have developed anything startling or not, can remain as a valuable adjunct to our home orchard.
I have especially mentioned peaches because they are easily grown, subject to wide variation from the seed and fruit while yet very young. There are thousands upon thousands of acres of land throughout both Northern and Peninsular Florida that are perfectly adapted to peach culture. We already have good kinds; we might have better ones-let us originate them. Some of us have already done something in this line, but it is needless to say that the efforts of a ,vhole State will produce much greater results than the few could accomplish.
But it is not peaches alone that hold out inducements in the way of origination of new varieties. There are many other fruits that can be experimented







FLORIDA STATE RORTICULPURAL SOCIBIT


with in the same way, and our horticultural resources materially developed from within the State. With the citrus fruits, where variation of seedlings is not as radical as with some others, the more scientific method of artificial pollination presents an inviting field which has already been entered upon to a considerable extent, and crosses produced not only between varieties but species, that promise much for the future. This field is so large, however, and admits of such an almost endless combination in the assembling of desirable qualities of different varieties under one exterior covering that there is no danger of its ever being overdone.
And then in addition to the planting of fruit tree seeds, either naturally or artificially pollinated, there are numerous shrubs and flowers which are subject to the same laws of variation and which offer a delightful field of experiment to those of us to whom the beautiful in nature appeals; and to whom of us does it not ?
In mentioning the possibilities that lie before us in the way of further development, I trust that none of you will think that I am belittling the actualities that already exist. On the contrary no one of you recognizes more than I the grandeur of our horticultural domain, and the grandeur of our we] ]-established borticultural products. Let us continue to import into the State every tree or vegetable or seed or plant or cutting that holds forth promise of being an acquisition, but let us also remember that we have within our State limits, at our fingers' ends, a mine of wealth in vari-


eties yet unborn if we will but apply the wizard touch.
And now, ladies and gentlemen, I wish to congratulate each member of the Society on the fact that we are horticulturists. The pursuit that we follow is one that is broadening, ennobling, uplifting. Of all the arts and sciences there is no other the followers of which are brought into such close relation with nature; and he who can feel his own pulse responds to nature's mighty heartthrob is a king, regardless of whether he live in palace or hovel. He can, as can all of us if we are true horticulturists, appreciate the sublimity of sentiment expressed by William Cullen Bryant in "A Forest Hymn:"

"My heart is awed within me as I think Of the great miracle that still goes on, In silence, round me-the perpetual
work
Of thy creation, finished, yet renewed For ever. Written on thy works I read The lesson of thy own eternity. Lo! all grow old and die-but see again How on the faltering footsteps of decay Youth presses-ever gay and beautiful
youth,
In all its beautiful forms. These lofty
trees
Wave not less proudly that their ancestors
Moulder beneath them. Oh, there is not
lost
One of earth's charms; upon her bosom
yet,
After the flight of untold centuries, The freshness of her far beginning lies, And yet shall lie."




















Replying to your request for information as to the plan I have pursued in the irrigation and drainage of the lands devoted to the raising of celery by the Florida Land & Colonization Company, it affords me pleasure to give you the following information:
The plot of land selected by me for this purpose was a lot of twenty acres, common flat-woods land, selected without regard to its special fertility, but as nearly level as could be found. The land measured 1,128 feet east and west and 8oo feet north and south, having a very slight dip toward the north, the levels when taken showing only about three inches fall in 8oo feet. On the south line of this lot I sunk four artesian wells, 28o feet apart. These wells each emptied into a receptacle made of brick and lined with cement, so as to be water-tight, sunk seventeen inches below the surface of the ground. These receptacles here are usually called "pockets" and will be referred to hereafter by that name. Extending north from the first pocket at each well is a line of these pockets, twenty feet apart and connected by watertight four-inch pipes, the outlet and inlet from each pocket being one length of iron pipe and the rest earthen pipe. Extending east and west from each pocket is a line of earthen drain pipe, not water-tigbt, the ends simply being laid


together, placed in a bed of charcoal two inches deep and covered with two inches more of charcoal. From the last line of pockets on the north the four-inch watertight pipes end in an open ditch. You will thus see that there is a line of watertight pipes running from north to south, and a line of pipes not water-tight running from east to west, each centering and emptying into each and every pocket, by means of which the flow of water is controlled and diverted into any part of the field where it may be required by simply placing a wooden plug in the outlet from one of the pockets in the north and south pipes.
For example: We will say that the water is wanted in the middle of the field and not at any other point. We would then take water from either the first or second well; the water from the well empties into the first pocket and runs through the four-inch water-tight pipe, until it meets some obstacle to prevent its flowing. The part we wish to irrigate being in the center of the field, and there being twenty pockets, the water would flow into and out of ten pockets, but in the eleventh pocket I place a wooden plug to prevent a further flow. Now, to prevent a waste of water and to prevent its flowing into the ground before it reached the eleventh pocket, all the irrigation pipes which run


Celery Culture With Sub-Irrigation.


BY FREDERIC H. RAND, SANFORD.








PLORIDA STATE HORTICUbTURAL SOCIETY


the water was turned on; at I I o'clock it had risen so it was standing in the little paths between the seed beds; all plugs were then removed and the water allowed to escape. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon the ground was so dry that it was easily worked with hoe and rake. The irrigation pipes should be placed fourteen inches below the surface. It is well to have the water-tight pipes or mains an inch or so lower. The pockets in my field are made of brick and cement which is lasting but expensive. The same object can be accomplished by boxes made of wood, but these will not always be water-tight, and, as they decay, would necessarily have to be replaced. It is absolutely necessary to have all pipes entering the pockets made of iron, as, if earthen pipes were carried to the pockets, they would probably be broken by the swelling of a wooden plug which might be dry when inserted and consequently expand when the water touched it.

THIRD SYSTEM OF PIPES-EXTRA PRECAUTIONS.

As water lying on the surface of the ground is very injurious to both celery and lettuce, our principal crops', I have taken extra precaution to prevent overflow from sudden and violent rains, and below the whole of the system that I have above described I have laid sixinch water-tight mains at two different points in the field, running from north to south; and connection with these is made at eight different points from the pocket; at the outlet of these pipes is an iron valve. They are seldom usedonly in case of violent storms; then the valves are opened and the plugs in the


from cast to west are also closed by a wooden plug in the first ten pockets; consequently the whole volume of water comes to the eleventh pocket through the water-tight pipe. The wooden plug there prevents its further flow to the north, and the two irrigation pipes running from east to west on each side of the pocket not having wooden plugs inserted in their, carry off the water, and it passes through every joint of the pipe, and by capillary attraction is drawn to the surface and thoroughly moistens the soil from twelve to fifteen feet on each side of the pipe. While I have here named the process of only one pipe, a dozen or more pipes can be used at the same time, only depending upon the amount of water delivered by the artesian well. So much for irrigation.

DRAINAGE.

Now, the same system is used for drainage. In case of a heavy rain or continued storm, when on undrained land the water would lie upon the surface of the ground, I keep my land perfectly dry by simply removing all the plugs from all the water-tight pipes or mains and also from the irrigation pipes. The surface water sinks into the ground and into the irrigation pipes through the cracks at the joints and then runs into the pockets, and from there it is taken by the water-tight pipes or mains and conducted to the open ditch outside the field. The result of an experiment made by me soon after I completed this system showed the following results on about an acre of land where I was planting some seed beds, the beds being raised about two inches above the general level: At 7 o'clock in the morning







PLORIDA STAT9 HORTICULTURAL SOUBTY


pockets taken out, and these pipes carry off all overplus of water that the regular four-inch niains may be unable to dispose of.
To guard against accident which might occur in case of a violent rain coming on in the night when there was no one to attend to the outlet of the water by removing the plugs, I have placed in the pocket, about one-third from the end (the pocket in measurement being 12Xi6 inches), a brick, water-tight partition rising to within four inches of the surface. This partition is in the lower end of the pocket and has in it two holes, one near the bottom and the other near the top, four inches in diameter, lined with iron thimbles or pieces of four-inch pipe; and in these holes the plugs are placed instead of the actual outlet when I wish to raise the water. You will thus see that the water, after these holes are plugged, can only rise to within four inches of the surface, as it then comes to the top of the partition and flows over and passes through the outlet pipe. If, however, I wish to raise the water up to the surface, I plug the outlet pipe itself; if I wish to raise it only part way to the surface, considerably below the level of the top of the partition, I leave the plug in the lower hole of the partition and remove it from the upper hole.
I think the above description answers your question as to the method of irrigation pursued by me. I have described what is on my place and under my own charge; the same system is used by all the other growers in this neighborhood, some with slight variations but as a general thing the same; and, therefore, in describing one, I have described all. The present year is the first marketable crop that I have raised of celery, and as the


crop is not yet marketed I cannot give you the results as to that. But I can say that on Irish potatoes, the present year, on this irrigated and drained land, I have raised an average of i4o barrels per acre, and off of 14-i6ths of an acre I have already marketed 251 barrels of cabbage, and have more to ship.

PROPAGATION, BLEACHING, MARKETING, ETC.

Relative to methods pursued by me as to propagation, bleaching, marketing, etc., I can only say that thus far the growing of celery in this part of Florida is in an experimental stage, and I do not think that any two growers treat the crop exactly alike, and therefore I give you only my own methods. I plant the seed about the last of September, in beds about three feet wide and in drills four inches apart, sowing thickly. After the plant is about two inches high, I transplant it to a "prick bed" same size as seed bed, and set the plants 1 1-2 inches apart and rows four inches apart. It requires about sixty days for the plant to acquire the proper size to be placed in the field; no exact time can be stated, as the size of the plant depends largely upon the fancy of the individual grower, some preferring larger plants than others. After being set in the field, which should have been well fertilized before the plants are taken up, it is simply a matter of time and constant cultivation and frequent light applications of fertilizer until ready for bleaching, which point must be judged entirely by the size of the plant. The bleaching usually requires about ten days.
One-inch cypress boards 12 inches wide are used for this purpose, placed







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close up to the side of the plant and drawn together at the top to about four inches, and held in that position by wires. In planting in the field some planters prefer the double rows, some the single. In the single row the plants are simply set six inches apart, rows three feet apart. In the double row two rows are set six inches apart and the plants set in the rows six inches apart, alternately. When ready for market the root is cut with a knife, superfluous leaves are taken off in the field, and almost all the roots are taken off, a few fibrous roots being left. The plants are placed in boxes and carried to the packinghouse, where they are assorted according to size and packed in boxes 8x2Ox27 inches, each box being marked the exact number of dozens and fractional parts of dozens it contains. The best marketable sizes are from three and one-half to six dozens, inclusive; the larger and smaller sizes usually sell for somewhat smaller price than the rest. The size of the crate that I have given is the size used here in San-


ford, and is known as the Sanford Standard. There are two or three other sizes used in the State, generally larger, and the California crate is larger still; but the experience of the past few years has shown that the Sanford crate is the one that meets the popular demand and gives the best satisfaction, and I believe it would be advisable for all growers to decide on that size of crate.
Experiments made the past year seem to show that with care plants can be set out in the field direct from the seed bed and thus save the expense and labor of transferring and putting out in prick beds, but I am not yet satisfied on this subject and would not like to recommend it; another season, however, will probably decide the matter. I do not see that I can say anything further in relation to the growing of plants, save that an abundant supply of water is absolutely necessary for success; therefore, I would not advise anyone to undertake to grow celery save at points where a flow from artesian wells can be secured.


REMARKS.


Mr. Phelps-Charcoal has been used largely because there is not enough cinders furnished.


Mr. White-The remark on charcoal is erroneous. What we use is cinders. Charcoal is rather an expensive product, but cinders are given to us.












Citrus Fruits from a Commercial Standpoint.



REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE BY E. S. HUBBARD, CHAIRMAN.


Mr. President and Members of the Florida State Horticultural Society-Ladies and Gentlemen:
As the Society's committees on Diseases and Insects, Cold Prevention, Fertilizers, Marketing, etc., cover special fields affecting citrus fruits, and it has been impracticable for this committee to submit a combined report? it has proved necessary for the members, so far as possible, to report separately. Therefore, under the changing fruit market conditions, I have thought it well to take a general view of the field and to consider as far as possible the future prospects of citrus growing in Florida.
Our country is in a prosperous condition, and the demand for fruits, both as necessary, healthful components of diet, and as luxuries, is increasing faster than the population, but the supply is also making colossal strides, and careful consideration should be given by every intelligent fruit grower to the general conditions in determining the special varieties it will pay him best to cultivate.
First in present production of citrus fruits stands California, with a crop of oranges that was estimated for this year at approximately eight millions of boxes. But unusual wet weather and frosts that damaged the keeping and carrying qual-


ities of the fruit, lack of transportation, and the low prices resulting from these conditions, have produced a state of affairs resembling what prevailed in Florida just before the '95 freeze, and there is no doubt California is suffering from overproduction of comparatively inferior fruit. The tariff has practically shut out Mediterranean oranges under these circumstances, but foreign lemons still arrive in quantity, and with climatic conditions similar to those countries it would seem California should give more attention to lemon culture, and I think she is doing so. The California oranges are marketed mainly in winter and spring, but there are others that are in market earlier. There is a small section suited for orange culture in Arizona that produces early fruit of good quality resembling Florida's; and this fruit will always find a ready market in the mountain cities.
The Mexican fruit is also early and its culture in that country is increasing, although the orange worm is also spreading and may require prohibitory legislation to keep it out of this country.
Then we have the West Indian fruit for early competition. Jamaica has a varied climate and produces fruit that averages well with Florida seedlings,






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though light colored and usually insipid in midwinter. We may look for increasing imports from that island. Porto Rico is also spoken of as a competitor. I am informed, however, that the territory on the north side of the island that has stifficient rainfall and lies flat enough for cultivation and convenient to transportation is limited; and although they would have an advantage over Jamaica in the tariff, it is unlikely they will compete in any quantity for some time to come. And lastly, Cuba is an unknown future quantity. The reports as to near competition from this quarter are conflicting. It is true oranges are found growing all over the island, but as yet there are no regularly set bearing orange groves, and owing to the general clayey nature of the soil, which is mud if worked in the rainy season and bakes during the dry season, it is doubtful if oranges can be grown successfully convenient to transportation except in limited areas that are susceptible to irrigation.
The banana is the great competitor of W apple and also of the orange ' and as reciprocity treaties with low tariffs are likely to be the programme, we will probably suffer as much from competition with cheap bananas from Cuba as from oranges. And then there are the West Indian limes.

FLORIDA ORANGES GO WRONG.

But with all this present and future competition to contend with, Florida the past season proved to be her own worst enemy. The bulk of the crop this year was in South Florida, and some people say South Florida fruit never did carry well; but probably this season's losses were largely due to the unusually wet


weather, which often produces soft, creased fruit, and to the rough handling in packing. Something at least is wrong when regularly packed fruit, not culls, is repacked in Jacksonville with loss, and then shrinks ten to twenty per cent. in three or four days while the retailer is disposing of it; or when a neighbor who bought a box for his own use complained that they specked so fast he and his wife were kept busy eating rotten oranges till the box was finished.
Not all Floridas were like this, however. An east coast packer who is noted for using chemical fertilizers in growing and extreme care in handling his fruit had a half box of a consignment that reached Jacksonville the 3rd of December overlooked in the salesroom, and the gentleman who bought it the ist of March found only two spoiled oranges.
Orange growers must be careful not to get conceited. Many of us live among our trees all the year round, and we cultivate and fertilize, pet and nourish them till we almost worship them; and when the fruit matures we sample it with gusto and declare it cannot be equalled in the State of Florida. Then we may gather it carefully, cutting all the stems tight to the calyx, handle it like eggs, grade it according to our own ideas of appearance, put it up in neat boxes with fancy wraps, and though it may go in good order the buyer at the other end of the line may think some other fellow's fruit looks better and tastes finer and give him a higher price for it.
I am sure we all feel thankful for the comparative immunity from cold the past winter. Trees in my neighborhood that were boxed or tented came through all right and now look almost as well






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as the unprotected ones, while trees under large sheds began growing as a rule earlier than those outside.
The question therefore arises whether with seasons averaging like the past fifty years shedding in the long run for all varieties will pay. It is true that late oranges can be carried through cold snaps in sheds without being frosted, and it would seem to be only desirabe for Varieties like Hart's Late Brazilian, Valencia Late, Kings and pomelos.
With early Varieties whose fruit is taken from the trees before Christmas good banking will keep the bt1dS from being lost with frosts later than the first of February, while before that time the danger of damage to tops is small, and even if the tops get frozen back they will begin bearing in a year again, an(] the risk will average no greater than in peach growing at the North.


THE QUESTION OF FUTURE PRODUCTION.

The question of future production therefore seems to be along lines similar to those of the past.
With present and prospective conipctition in both early and late oranges, the


old plan followed by many growers seems desirable yet-to grow half or two-thirds of early oranges to, be shipped before Christmas, and the remainder later Varieties either in sheltered locations where open fires can be used, or tinder sheds, if the grower can afford it. Some seasons early oranges may pay best and again the late varieties.
In any case, choice varieties only should be grown, and cultivation, fertilizing and packing should aim at quality rather than quantity.
And don't forget the old standard varieties of round oranges. There is a tendency to go to extremes in planting Satsumas, Tangerines, Kings and pornelos. There may be seasons when you wish your whole grove was budded to one of these fancy specialties, but I have never seen a season yet when round oranges, judiciously handled, did not bring profitable returns.
And remember that refrigerator transportation and cold storage are going to be the great perishable provision and fruit trade equalizers of the future, and that Hawaii, Japan, the Orient and even the southern hemisphere will send kidglove oranges and pomelos to supply our markets.


REPORT BY B. M. HAMPTON OF THE COMMITTEE.


While I do not claim to be an expert on citrus fruits, I have had some experience in this line both in California and in Florida. For the last ten years I have been growing them in Florida. and I think I may say with success. But the cultivation of the citrus fruits extends over such a wide area-they are grown under such varied circumstances and


conditions of soil and climate-that to attempt to tell you all I don't know of this industry would simply be out of the question. in the short time the session of this meeting will be held.
It is needless to say that the culture of the citrus fruits is fast assuming its old time importance and on a more advanced scale of knowledge and enlight-






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enment, so that one who thought he knew about all there was to it before the freeze Of '95 now may find himself in a quandary as to just what to do for the best interest of himself and his trees, under the changed circumstances.
And with the increase of the industry comes the increase of the insect pests. So we have the scale, the white fly, etc., to contend with. Then we have mal de goma, foot rot, die back and so on, until it makes one dizzy to think about them and their cause and cure.
Oh, now we are coming to the gist of the subject-the cause and cure-and so we have the resin wash, the kerosene emulsion, etc. I don't think you can accuse me of egotism when I say he is a wise man that don't feel too sure of his ground on this subject.
There was a time when I thought that to spray with some of the many insecticides was the proper thing to do. But now-well, in the light of increasing knowledge I feel like saying-Don't! And I believe it is becoming the idea of the advanced growers of the State to use less and less of these sprays and to search more and more for, and to, encourage our friends, both insect and fungus growth. Here, I believe, is the line of thought that it behooves us to investigate more fully. Now, if I leave this advice on record, to use less of these sprays and to search for and to utilize more and more your insect and fungus friends, I don't believe the future generations will altogether condemn me. And in connection with our insect pests and the various ailments the citrus trees are subject to, comes the fertilizer question. And here I may well pause before I go on record. But it is my firm belief that with


proper fertilizing and the proper utilizing of our many friends, there will be but little use for the questionable practice of spraying.
My especial experience in this line is that until I took more care of my friends and studied and experimented more with the fertilizing of my trees, I made but little headway against my enemies. Now I trust I have put my spyay pump aside for good. Foot rot I have never had in my grove, and dieback but little. But I can get them whenever I want them, by simply giving my trees plenty of some organic fertilizer.
I know of nothing that will cause you to have a full crop of the various ills that the citrus trees are heir to, more surely than to stuff them with an organic fertilizer; that is, fertilizer composed mostly from material from organic sources. This can go on record, and time will prove I am right.
Now, as to the best mode of production, I will just say I have had but little experience so far as protecting citrus trees; yet so far as I can learn, I was about the first to use a tent with a lamp inside to keep off the cold.
Years ago I used various devices for covering plants and trees to protect them from the cold, but in December, 1894, my wife and I made tents out of sheets from the beds in the house. These I put over some tropical or melon pawpaw trees, then I lit a lamp and set it in the tent under the tree. I found I could produce almost any desired degree of heat in a few minutes; so, after experimenting with them for a time, I set them to burn for the night. This was a grand success; not a leaf was touched, and I believe those were the only trees of the kind left alive in the county.







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But as to the matter of protection, as I have had but little practical experience, I will leave that for Mr. Hubbard and Mr. Painter to say what they think best for North Florida. So far as South Florida is concerned, numerous small wood fires will be found the cheapest and best. I have seen acres of groves fired of a night when the trees were in bud and bloom, with entire success, not a bud or a twig


being injured, and I was told they kept the temperature at 34 degrees in the groves, whilst it was 25 degrees outside; there was quite a breeze going, too. And so it seems small wood fires and plenty of them as a rule is all that will be needed in this section on the north line of South Florida, to save either bud, bloom or fruit from cold.


Mr. Butler-1 notice that the speaker seems to be under the impression that the South Florida orange would not keep as well as the North Florida orange. I think the South Florida orange will keep as well as the North Florida orange when grown under the same conditions. The fault was not with the South Florida orange, but with the South Florida man. For years we have been getting high prices for oranges. The shipper would sometimes get $2 on the tree. The trees were fertilized highly. Last spring we had excessive rain. With excess of fertilizer, the nitrogen had a tendency to make the orange grow softer than usual. Many were packed green and a large portion were packed very carelessly. T have seen oranges picked from the trees wet, dealers buying and packing as cheaply as possible. Those who took care, in packing have had no complaint of the condition. I know of growers who never heard of a complaint from their oranges.


Mr. Carter-I am from South Florida and I was made sad by the first article on the subject that condemned South Florida oranges as not keeping well; and the comparison between South Florida oranges and East Coast oranges was very much in favor of the East Coast. We are envious of the East Coast down there, but when the gentleman told us that in Jacksonville, where they have all kinds of oranges, people would persist in eating South Florida oranges, even rotten T felt that South Florida was not so far behind after all. I wonder if the proposition would not take, that we get some of these men of brains to go to South Florida to raise oranges on scientific principles; and on behalf of South Florida, I extend an invitation.
Mr. Porcher-Mr. Hubbard stated, I think, that some thought that South Florida oranges would not carry well.; he did not compare them with North Florida or East Coast oranges, and it was only spoken of as last season. And


The Florida Orange.


A DISCUSSION.







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Mr. Adams My grove is on high pine land. I began shipping oranges for myself in small lots about the middle of November. I finished last Thursday, having shipped every week. I sold to a Cincinnati house about 25oo boxes. That house wrote back after they were all shipped that there was not one rotten one in a carload that came from my grove. Now, there was another grove, one mile south of mine, with everything equal to mine, but the same house wrote iiie that 5o per cent. of that car was rotten. Their own man picked them and packed them in each grove; but they never had packed a box of oranges before they came to my grove in their lives and they learned something before they went to the other fellow's. I kicked from morning to night and when they asked me if I wanted my name on the boxes I said no, I would not allow a box of oranges the way you pack them to have my name on them. I have yet to hear. of one single orange that went from my place rotting. A house in Providence, the next to the last shipment, stated that they were the finest they had seen through the winter. Now, I believe there is not an orange in the world that will carry or ship better than the South Florida orange, but you can't handle them like rocks.
Dr. Kerr-T had a letter from a coinmission house in Philadelphia some time since stating that they had handled very few oranges from Florida this winter; those that they had received gave Florida rather a black eye in regard to quality. I did not like to hear that, so I wrote back and stated that probably they were Jamaica oranges brought on a boat to Jacksonville and shipped from there as Florida oranges. I believe , they have


as a matter of fact, I think, from Mr. Butler's remarks as to, bad packing and early shipping, that that was the cause; and that it was not the fault of the fruit.
Mr. S. B. Mann-During a late visit to Manatee county I learned for the first time something of the white fly, something that has never occurred to me in Volusia county; and 1 feel quite interested to know more about it, and I rise to ask any one from that part of the State to give us their bes remedy and the probabilities of its spread; whether it is likely to come this way. If so, what is best to do for it?
F. D. Waite-In regard to the carrying and keeping qualities of the Florida oranges in South Florida, I would say that last winter in the Manatee section with rains coming every two or three days, we had a chance to test the keeping and carrying qualities of our fruit with a system of under-ground drainage, and we found that the fruit picked early
-in the season (October and November) from the grove under-drained during the summer carried well. As the fruit in another grove seemed to be more advanced in ripening, we left that in the underdrained grove and commenced shipping the fruit from grove number two, leaving about three hundred boxes of oranges on the trees of the tinder-drained portion. On the i5th of January we commenced shipping from this grove again, and Mr. Preston, of Providence, R. I., wrote us that not i per cent. had decayed. The fruit in grove number two commenced creasing badly by the --?.Sth of November, and fully iS per cent. decayed in transit, showing that excess of
--noisture and lack of proper drainage has .a great deal to do with the carrying qualAies of the Florida fruit.







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good oranges in South Florida. Indeed I have been there and seen them, but there is no doubt that we must make an eff ort to put our fruit in the market in the best possible manner which will attract the buyers and not bring disgrace upon our state. As far as ' I am concerned myself, I shipped some oranges this year, and the reports came back that they were all first-class in every respect. But I gave them all away. Now, in regard to the paper just read, there is much that I believe to be truth. Still, a little spraying seems to me is good medicine when the insects have the leaves, hut there is a tendency in Florida about these insects to let them go: something is going to clear them off. When I first came here myself I found the fleas were intolerable, but I have gotten accustomed to them and I use nothing against them to-day.

WEST COAST VS. EAST COAST ORANGES.

Mr. Hart-I don't think any one questions the ability of some South Florida or West Florida growers to grow good oranges, and grow them so they will stand shipping, hut we have had fearful reports from the North on fruit this year, and the quality of the Florida orange has been reported so had that I sawA by the papers that Chicago refused for two or three weeks to receive any Florida oranges or to handle them. That is an awful black eye for our fruit. I inquired into the matter as much as I could, through sources from which the Northern markets got their supply, and so far as I could learn the East Coast stood up in transit and in market as well as ever, so the fruit that decayed must have come from other parts of the state.


Before the freeze, and perhaps at present the freight rates are very high from way down on the West Coast, and the people there had not given very much attention, as a rule, to orange growing; few there had studied into the matter as thoroughly as they had on the East Coast, where many had got it down to a pretty fine point. Twenty-five years ago Indlian river fruit had the reputation of keeping very poorly, but we have learned how to grow it to stand shipping now. After the freeze the prices were such that orange culture developed very much on the West Coast, and I understand there are a good many down there who went right to cow-penning their groves and supplying them with nitrogen through other organic sources in quantities that softened the fruit, made oranges of poor quality, and such as wNould not stand to be shipped. We all know that such result will surely follow ain excess of such food supply.
Now those who are the most intelligyently interested in orange culture from that section come here to our m-eetings, andl I have no doubt in my mind at all but that they have shipped successfully andl their fruit has arrived in good condition. That is simply because they were interestedl enough to study into the matter and get down to the fine points, as have the older growers in the 0o(1 Orange Belt
-and one of the fine points is fertilizing properly, and another is handling properly. Many down that way have handled their fruit carelessly. The East Coast don't claim to have all the brains. They simply claim that some of them have had more experience than the general run of those down on the West Coast, but there are, I am told, many there who have never given fruit grow-







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


ing careful study, and it is only the high prices since the freeze that caused them to ship largely. Most fruit that has been properly handled has shipped well this year. My fruit has shipped well, and there has been no complaint whatever, and much of it was wet when I picked it. Many do not dare to pick fruit when wct, so they have their pickers wait until it has dried on the trees. The way I handle my fruit I can put it in my packing-house and get it dried off in one-quarter of the time that it would take if left on the trees. It goes into large trays with slatted bottoms and hung in the middle, so as to tip one way, then the other (illustrating); then open the windows and doors and in a very few minutes the oranges are dry on one side, then tip the trays the other way and the oranges roll over and dry the other side. The grading takes me about three days and in that time they cure thoroughly. I can take an orange, run a knife blade around it so as to cut through the outer cuticle, leaving it in these trays, and in three days it is ready to pack, an airtight coating having formed over the cut that heals the wound and puts the orange in perfect shape to ship. If this was done and the orange was packed at once for shipment, it would decay and spoil others around it. If there is any orange so badly injured that it cannot be repaired by a free circulation of air, decay proceeds, and the injury is discovered before packing, as it has time to get so bad that I cannot miss it. Therefore only sound fruit goes into. the box.
Here I show you one of my oranges somewhat dried up and yet round until now I think there is a soft place on one side that shows it will soon decay. (Hands it up.) That orange was picked


in December, nearly or quite five months ago. Here are others not dried at all and as fresh, firm and plump as if just picked from the tree. This fruit was also picked in December. I had intended to lay aside a lot of them, but owing to my friends' appreciation of their fine qualities I failed to do so. These here shown are culls left over from last year's picking.
Oranges will keep if you fertilize them right and handle them right, if you don't give them too much organic matter to supply their nitrogen. 1 have not had any preparation put on these or anything of that kind, but here is a point, those have been wet nearly all the time with pure water. They were probably wet when they were picked, and they have been ever since. Oranges kept a long time lose their brilliancy of flavor, so that you could not keep them five months and still have a first-class marketable fruit, although they are fine in appearance. You can keep them perhaps a month or six weeks, possibly longer, and still have fine marketable fruit. (Orange is cut and found to be full and heavy.)
Question-How did you keep it wet?
Mr. Hart-I have received letters from parties in Florida saying, "If you will agree to pay Me $25 or $ioo, as the case may be, I will give you a recipe by which you can keep fruit in fine marketable shape for months." But I have never given them the $25 or the $ioo. I am not going to try that on you with my process. I will give it to you free next year because I am interested in the prosperity of this Society and its members, but I wish to experiment more on it. It is so simple and inexpensive that, should I'give it to you now, you would not appreciate its real value. I am not







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


making any money out of it-don't want to, except by holding fruit for high prices-and I will give you the same chance I have of doing this after this year. But wet oranges can be kept. I feel assured that the bad keeping qualities of fruit that went down last winter must be from some other cause; or wet fruit is not allowed to dry properly before it is shipped to market. I have many times taken injured fruit, laid it up on a shelf in my packing-house, and had it keep perfectly until dried up, showing that it should go to market in good shape if properly cured.
Dr. Kerr-Next year you are going to impart to us this information, and do you intend to send around samples of the boxes of oranges that we may test them as I did, or not? And another tning I wish to know, is it possible that there was ever a cloud upon the East Coast oranges?
Mr. Hart-The Turnbull hammock oranges shipped very poorly twenty-five years ago, so much so that it was considered about an even question whether they could be got into market in sound condition or not; but it is not so now.

BLEMISHES CAUSED BY THE THRIPS.

Mr. Butler-In the last remarks the gentleman forgot that a large proportion of the South Florida growers were formerly North Florida growers and went down there. I don't know if this disease (blemish or scar) attacks us much, and would like Mr. Hart to give the cause of that disease.
Mr. Hart-I always concluded that that was caused by the thrips in the bloom.
Mr. Butler-I thought so, although


sometimes it almost took on the frrm of a scar.
Mr. Hart-That would occur when there was a dieback tendency in the tree. It always seemed to me that was caused by the thrips.
Dr. Inman-I think probably between the oranges on the East and on the West Coast there is very little difference. I have shipped quite a lot of fruit this season, and of my oranges I have not lost a box by decay. In March I shipped oranges to Columbus, Ohio. Last season I shipped oranges in April which were used in August, and not three oranges in the box were decayed.
Mr. Porcher-This gives me an opportunity of speaking as to the thrips. Thrips can be controled by spraying to some extent, at least. On pine land they will get away from you, but on hammock land the use of caustic potash and whale oil soap will destroy them without clanger, and no marks will be upon the fruit. In addition to this, when the blossoms fall and the little oranges are as small as a pea, you can detect the work done by the thrips, at once. In the same way that you destroy these thrips you kill the young of the common scale, you destroy the purple mite, you prevent danger from the red spider or hairy mite, and you give your trees a health and vigor that usually nothing else can give. In other words, no insect, enemy or friend, working in conjunction, can possibly live. And I, therefore, say that with spraying, if done intelligently, the thrips can be 'done away with. When we come to spray and you ask a man what he has done, he will say two or three times in a year, when fifteen would be best at start in some cases, and I may say six to ten times a year. At this






FLORIDA SPATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


statement the question will be raised as to expense. When you consider that the market will give you a fine price for large fruit, bright fruit; that an orange affected by scale is injured in its quality, and sum the whole matter up, you will find about 200 per cent. against you, for any grove that will produce from five hundred boxes up; and you will see that you are in pocket a profit of 700 per cent. on the most costly spraying you can use. In my experience of past seasons I was troubled for years with scale. Now, in about 2,6oo trees I doubt if you could find many scale from end to end.
Mr. Hart's position is a very strong one. I have seen the results he has obtained, and they are good. I argue, Mr. Hart's location is unique. I can show groves in my section that have never been sprayed and that have had the scale for fifteen years (ever since I have been in the State.) I have seen trees absolutely killed with the scale, and I have seen them thus not in one case but in a number. In Mr. Hart's location, were I putting out a grove next to his, I would follow his methods, but I do say that spraying should be looked upon as a fixed charge upon the, growing of fine fruit, and that with it you can obtain desired results all over the State without reference to location.

SPRAYING IN THE BLOOM.

Mr. Waite-What effect does this spraying have on bees and the setting of fruit ?
Mr. Porcher-No bad effect on bees. Even the spraying of water would have bad results generally on bloom. The trees sprayed during bloom are heavily laden, however. The proportion of


caustic potash to whale oil soap is one to four, that is, a quarter of a pound to a gallon of water. That proportion was sprayed upon the bloom without reference to them. It went right into the bloom. We were spraying for the purple mite and the trees were heavily laden with bloom. A bee will be attracted very often by the disagreeable smell. The thrips is destroyed, and I am quite sure it would be very difficult to find thrips upon the bloom in my grove, and as far as I have been able to examine the fruit, there is not an orange that has a thrips upon it, or is thrips marked.
Mr. Phelps-This orange that Mr. Hart has handed up to the platform as being wet so long, I find by actual test of it that there is at least 50 per cent. of water in the juice, and a large amount of acid has gone to the rind. Otherwise the orange seems to be well preserved. The juice is very thin indeed and the
-acid that gives the flavor has ben absorbed largely in the rind.
Mr. Hart-Do you think the flavor is less than it would have been if dry?
Mr. Phelps-It is probably better preserved than if left to evaporate.
Mr. Porcher-I am agent of the Indian river orange growers. As said agent it is my duty to. do or to have done the work of inspection. We have found a variety of conditions as to carrying quality of fruit. We have not all perfect fruit. We have not all perfect carrying fruit, and I must emphasize the fact that we do not claim to have all the brains of the State on the East Coast. We have found, however, that to refuse any form of organic matter in fertilizing has been absolutely our safeguard. Use chemical fertilizer and mulching. Take pine needles if you can't get anything better,







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


and use that in the groves around trees. We have found that groves whose fruit formerly would not carry can now be shipped across the water. The past season I sold twelve boxes of fruit out of a grove that was noted for having bad carrying fruit. It was put on a tramp steamer, along with cotton, and took twenty days to get to its destination in France. But we went further and inquired particularly that we might learn as to the condition, and there was no decayed fruit. That fruit I packed for a neighbor and sold for him; it was not quite like Mr. Hart's, but somewhat on the same plan as to fertilizing, and in that case in the fertilizing there was simply a change from the use of cotton seed meal to the use of nitrate of soda and a small percentage of sulphate of ammonia with bone black and high grade sulphate of potash. The consequences show clearly with us that this fertilizer corrected those conditions and made the fruit carry.
Walter Cooper-We have not been called upon to go into this subject on high pine lands in Lake county. I have inquired diligently around in the neighborhood in regard to anything of interest in this matter, and we have never thought of the scale or insects that have been successfully combatted elsewhere. So we did not need to go into the subject very extensively and I will let the matter close at this point, and feel satisfied that we shall have a much more complete report from some of the members on this subject.

BORDEAUX MIXTURE FOR DIEBACK.

Mr. Butler-Those of us attending the meeting last year heard the subject of


treating dieback with Bordeaux mixture discussed. A number of our members have tried that since, and would it not be well for them to give their experience pro and con after applying it?
Mr. Hart-I will say that the whole idea of cure by spraying the tree tops is entirely contrary to my theory of the disease of dieback. Through the advice of Mr. Porcher, I tried it. I regret to say that the result in my case was what I expected it to be, so far as dieback was concerned. But it has been more than that and has done more harm than I did expect, a good deal. I expected no beneficial results from the Bordeaux mixture when I applied it and got none, so far as I can see, but there are after effects which have been quite serious. That is, the purple mite has come on to those sprayed trees and they are very bad on them. Wherever I used Bordeaux they are much worse than elsewhere. Wherever I used that spray is the place where you will find what scale insects I have. If there is anything which will encourage the scale, it is spraying with the Bordeaux mixture. But I have talked with a number of intelligent orange growers who have reported it quite successful in curing dieback in their hands.
Mr. Porcher-I don't know whether the horticulturists are aware of the origin of that idea or not. With us it came from a German, a Mr. Froscher. His experiments were not entirely successful with others, because he sold the Bordeaux mixture, and it would remain two weeks before it was used and therefore was useless. As soon as the mixture was properly made and applied promptly, there was no question as to its results. But if we will use potash an4






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mulch the trees and cease cultivating, the Bordeaux proves a complete curative of the red rust. An application of it, and then repeat it in ten days, would cause the scaliness to be cleared off and the fruit made shipable; but at the same time where we spray with the Bordeaux mixture we should follow it in a short time with something to destroy scale. If it were followed by a spray as an insecticide we should not have the scale. It was not of my origination at all; it was simply my following ouit of another's ideas.
Mr. I-ardee-I have used the Bordeaux mixture. Mr. Froscher wanted me to use it to introduce it. I had such little confidence in any application of the kind that I declined to use it, believing that it was a root disease entirely. I mulched some of my trees, others I could cultivate, but the dieback seemed to get worse. Mr. Porcher, who had used the Bordeaux mixture as prepared by Mr. Froscher, after he had tried it, told me how to use it. I prepared it and used it and I must confess this: I did not have much confidence in it, but after the first application I put on the trees, when the fruit was about half grown, it instantly stopped the cracking, and I was so well pleased with the application that I gave it a second time, and many of the trees that were inclined to crack were curedl. I would say that the Bordeaux mixture is a very good cure for dieback. But it must be followed by an insecticide to kill scale. I have *a number of neighbors around me that have also used the mixture, and there is not one of them that I have talked with but who was well pleased with the result, but they all agree that it must be followed up with some insecticide. I made only two applications


to my trees, I think twenty or probably twenty-five days apart. I used the rosin wash afterwards.
Mr. Porcher - Bordeaux mixture should not he used too often; three applications in twelve months would be sufficient. Four pounds copper sulphate to six of lime, so as to give plenty of lime. The mixture wants to be used as quickly as possible after being made.
Mr. Hubbard-Has the Bordeaux mixture any effect on the flavor of the fruit ?
Mr. Porcher-None at all.
Mr. Butler-Of course, when we all heard what Mr. Froscher's mixture was, we believed it to be contrary to our ideas, but the word of an honest man is sacred, therefore I used it. I sprayed ten acres that was beginning to have a little dieback and it helped them. I also believe that it has a tendency to cure rust.
Mr. Porcher-When this question of Bordeaux mixture came up I wrote to the Department at Washington and they replied that their investigation showed that our trouble was unquestionably a sap trouble; in other words that it came from the root. You can take a tree up, remove it to another location and it does not have the red rust. I state that it is a fungous trouble which is corrected by this mixture. The Department will tell you that it is not a fungous trouble. They will also tell you the Bordeaux mixture is a fungicide. I don't know what more to say, save that I have had good results with Bordeaux mixture.
I have corresponded with many and I can find in no case a man who will give any explanation beyond the fact that possibly there were ulterior things that have helped us out.







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Mr. Hart-I will meet two of the points that have been brought up. My Bordeaux mixture was made fresh for each barrel full and applied within an hour after it was made. It was made right or else the Government experts are wrong, for I tried all their tests, and therefore I cannot admit that it was wrong in any way; and yet it did not bring the results that some seem to have obtained. This was done early in June. The dieback continued right through for the rest of the year and for the next growth; so much so that on the trees that were affected the summer growths were reduced to almost nothing. They are cured now. I cured them by the old methods. I am sure we can cure dieback without the Bordeaux mixture, but it may take a year to do it. In one corner of one of my oldest groves there were about forty trees that were badly affected with dieback. I used the Bordeaux mixture on part of two rows of them, and I treated these and all the rest but three trees by leaving off cultivation and giving them potash and phosphoric acid only. They immediately got well and are now almost equal to the rest of the grove. The difference between the trees that I continued to cultivate and the others that were treated by non-cultivation, potash and phosphoric acid, now is that the latter are two-thirds larger than those three. But last fall I treated those the same and they are now healthy. The only way that I can see that Bordeaux mixture can do any good is to go into the root and there limit the action of the soil ferments, the excessive activity of which causes the disease. There are three sets of them that work over organic matter before they get it in shape for the tree


to take up the nitric acid, and warmth and moisture increase in their action. They cannot work in cold weather and they cannot work without moisture. Both conditions are just right for them in Mr. Porcher's shredded grove. Bordeaux was applied, went into the ground and checked the disease. A fungicide would check that development and in that way, it seems to me,, it must bring about the change, if it does any good at all.
Mr. Waite-Had you used nitrate of soda, do you think you would have had any bad results?
Mr. Hart-I don't think I would, but I can't waste money or even run the risk of harm by using more nitrogen on these trees until its need is indicated by the color of the foliage and character of the growth.
The point was brought up about spraying the bloom. That matter has been so thoroughly tested that there is no question but that it does harm. In New York State the horticulturists were so sure that spraying should be done during blooming time that they finally got a law through the legislature allowing spraying at that time for experimental purposes, expecting to prove their side so as to allow anyone to spray then if they chose. Scientists of Cornell and others took hold of the matter, expecting to get results favoring this, but when they finally brought in their report it was such as to satisfy every one that it was imprudent to spray at the time of bloom and that the spray just before or just after would answer all purposes. They proved conclusively that spraying fruit blossoms destroyed the potency of much of the pollen and thereby greatly reduced the crop. Hundreds of tests






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were made and all showed injury to the interest of the fruit grower as well as the bee-keeper.
Mr. Porcher-I am not in favor of spraying the bloom. I only cited an instance because it was unusual. I was forced to spray on account of the purple mite.
Mr. Hart-Scientists now agree upon that matter. You can spray one side of a tree when in bloom and leave the other side unsprayed, and the side which is sprayed will produce no crop and the other side will produce fruit.
The dieback was immediately following the freeze of 1895, and these trees were set in 1885, budded trees on sour stock. Mr. Porcher stated that if he were in my locality he would probably do as I do in regard to the matter of scale. He may have the idea in his head that I have not had experience anywhere else, but I think I may safely say that I have studied this matter on all classes of orange lands and I may as safely say that my environments or my particular land have very little to do with it.
Mr. Butler-There is one important point never brought out in regard to sulphate. I have produced dieback; can do it any time on my soil. Even where we have none I have produced dieback by sulphate of ammonia.
Mr. Porcher-Mine are old trees and they are on shell hammock land. It is what we term dangerous land. You have to be always watchful about shell hammock. I don't think I recall seeing any red rust on Mr. Hart's trees recently and I wish to emphasize the fact that we have in Mr. Hart one of our most careful and observant men.
Mr. Gaitskill-I have shell hammock land and there was a time when I did


have dieback. Young trees died down to the ground and I quit cultivating and using organic fertilizer and I cured the dieback. Chickens roosted in the trees and caused the dieback, and I believe the cure of dieback is in stopping the use of organic substances. I cured that tree with sulphate of potash and nothing else.
Mr. Phelps-I believe that if we use sulphate of ammonia alone, a small per cent. would do no harm, but I don't believe nitrate of soda is anything but a forcer. I don't believe in its use. I have tested it this year on celery. I have put on five pounds every ten days until I reached sixty pounds. Alongside of it I have put a fertilizer composed of phosphoric acid from bone, sulphate of ammonia and potash, and I cannot see at the end of a few months any effect from the nitrate of soda except that it tastes very salt. I believe that you can produce disease with sulphate of ammonia if you use it alone. But, where my poultry house had been I have always used sulphate of ammonia to counteract the effect of nitrogen.
Dr. Kerr-Mr. Hart, as my friend on the left justly states, has a grove that is unique. I have never been at the place, but I have been along the shore, and he speaks about his oranges being damp for so long a time. I have been along the coast when I thought everything was wet, and I presume that has a great deal to do with the keeping of his oranges. Now, on high pine land we don't require to have boards under the feet of our horses when we plow.
Mr. Hart-You would have to dig down twelve feet to get to water in my grove, Doctor.
I want to call attention to the disease of blight. Years ago at Orlando I think






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perhaps I was the cause of this Standing Committee on Insects and Diseases being originated, largely for the purpose of studying blight, and we got the Government to send down experts here to study it, and they, up to the freezes of y 94-'95, had studied every part of the tree, leaf, bark, etc., and they had not yet got any light as to the cause of it or any possible cure, but they had many experiments on foot to test the diseased trees and learn its nature, and if it had not been for the freeze I think that we should have found whether the disease was in the root or branches, bark or sap, and possibly found out what was the cause. The blight is with us yet, and it is the most serious disease we have to contend with. The Government then took their experts North, expecting to carry on the work from there, but from lack of appropriations the work has been mostly dropped. We must make an effort to have it taken up again.
The President-An appropriation has been made which becomes effective the first of July and the work will be re-sumed.
Mr. Porcher-I would like to know if anyone has ever found blight on low hammock land?
Mr. Waite-We have found in laying our under-drains a layer of rock about three or four inches thick, which covers over an area of about forty acres. Last year we picked twenty-five boxes from those trees.
Mr. Porcher-As a matter of fact, I think the "blight" is found on all soils except very low hammock. We are growing trees that are old enough to have blight, but I have yet to recall a case of low hammock with blight.


THE WHITE FLY.

Mr. Reasoner-The white fly in our neighborhood seems to have been about caught up with by the different fungi, and we no longer fear it, and the best proof of that is that there are one hundred acres near us being planted with citrus trees. In most of the groves near us we immediately caught up with the spread of the white fly. There is practically very little of it there. In fact, it is about gone. The longest time that any of our planters has had the white fly has been about two years, and there is not one of the groves but what has been cleared of white fly. I can say that the Foster groves are where the white fly first came from, and the Foster groves have turned out from eight to ten thousand dollars worth of fruit. There has been no spraying there whatever. We sprayed for several years without success.
Mr. Waite-Speaking of spraying, we had about sixty acres that we found last year was covered with white fly, small trees about six feet high,' and I was talking with quite a number of gentlemen who had sprayed, and we came to the conclusion that we would try spraying. We did so in November and December, using the rosin wash. In January we gave it another application and in the spring the white fly was on the wing, and we examined the trees and found no white fly excepting on large trees.
Question-What was the extent of the damage done during the two years that the white fly was present?
Mr. Waite-There was only partial loss of fruit. Where the white fly was worst the trees dropped part of the crop.







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


The trees were decidedly damaged. Most of those trees had never been pruned in the center, and had they been pruned out properly, I don't think the white fly would have effected any damage. The very thickness of the tree kept out the air, but the tree in general was not damaged.
Mr. Porcher-We have years when the scale is more prevalent than others. It has to go through a certain period. I argue that there are periods when you have to submit to scale and white fly before you get the assistance of the fungi. In a period of say twenty-five years we have to pass through certain conditions of disaster before our friends come to relieve us I argue for spraying as a thing to be done every year. I believe that while you may destroy your friends, you are at the same time destroying your enemies. I submit that they cannot grow grapes in any portion of the United States without spraying. In addition to that, here is the very point I brought forward to emphasizethat while your friends are helping you, your enemies are attacking you and leaving you in a very helpless condition. In every section of our State, if we had sprayed ever single month in the twelve, there would not be a white fly in the State of Florida. If there was a law which made it obligatory upon all to spray, there would not be an insect that would trouble us in the whole State.
Mr. Hart-The loss of fruit is very small under the plan that I advocate. There will be in a grove of a thousand trees two or three that will be bad with scale, and those two or three are the only ones that will be injured, and that only for perhaps one season. With the


white fly, Mr. Porcher thinks that if they had sprayed from the beginning they would have kept it down. Suppose they had sprayed from the beginning. They would be spraying now. They would have gone to immense expense and cost with white fly.
The largest grove near us where they have made a careful study of spraying is about twenty acres, and that has been sprayed regularly for white fly for several years, and the cost of spraying has been so heavy that the owners get but very little out of the fruit, although they get very good crops. The cost of this continual spraying is very great. You have to spray three or four times a year. Cost is several hundred dollars and the profit is reduced to little.
Mr. Porcher-The cost of my spraying last year was $i8o, including everything.
Mr. Stevens-I would like to hear something as to the mealy bug.
Mr. Porcher-I can say that I entirely conquered it. It was only on two trees and it would get down between the attachment of the leaf and stem and was very persistent, but we have finally conquered it.
Mr. Adams-I cured it entirely with hard wood ashes, putting dry ashes on.
Mr. W. H. Mann-I have had some little experience with them. I could not kill them without killing the tree, and finally I cut the trees to the ground.
Mr. Adams-I had the mealy bug on one tree in my grove and nowhere else. I dug it out and tried the dry ashes and I never had any trouble with them. Sometimes I had to try the second time, but they did the work.













Lettuce Culture Under Cover.


BY W. H. DRAEGER, OF GAINESVILLE.


To grow lettuce under cover (cotton cloth), a person must have suitable soil. Lettuce likes rich, loamy, damp soil, well drained, not subject to being watersogged after rains. To prepare for planting, have your soil well tilled, fertilizer thoroughly mixed with the soil; use a high-grade fertilizer with an analysis about as follows: Moisture, 7 to 9 per cent.; available phos. acid, 5 to 6 per cent.; insoluble phos. acid, 2 to 3 per cent.; ammonia, 6 to 8 per cent.; potash, K_-O, 6 to 8 per cent.
Well-rotted compost is especially suitable for lettuce, with commercial fertilizer added; iooo pounds to the acre should be sufficient, but great care must he taken to have it thoroughly mixed with the soil, especially if a liberal amount is used. Have it in the soil some days before setting the plants, say four or five days.
Care should be taken that the plants are young and strong, say from five to six weeks old, as older plants are more liable to run to seed or not head well. In preparing the land for the beds, they should be on a slight slope the narrow way. Make the lands some wider than the bed proper; say allow a foot on each side. List up ridges across the beds with a hand-plow about fifteen inches apart, smooth the lists down to about one and a half to two inches high.


Plant twelve inches apart on the ridges.
Lettuce should be set before the cover frames are put down. A very desirable sized frame would be as follows: Have the frame twenty feet wide across the bed; have the cloth sewed in eight-yard widths. For a twenty-foot bed have the center ridge stake about three feet high; the outside stakes about ten or twelve inches high; the ridge strip 1-2 2X2I feet long. Put the ridge strip over the ridge stakes, bow down and nail to the ten-inch stake a board to fit the short stake, nail on around the entire bed, so the cloth can be fastened on to the boards. A good stout string should be attached to the cloth at every stake, which can be put say five or six feet apart. The cloth must lap over the boards enough to keep the winds from getting under the cover; this is important.
The bed the long way can be made as long as the person wishes it; but it is not practical to have beds too long, as the cloth is hard to handle, especially if there is much wind to contend with. The ridge stakes should be at least 2X2 inches; in fact, all stakes should be 2X2 inches. The cloth can be tacked down or tied to the center stake, as the person chooses.
The cloth should never be down only when there is danger of frosts or freez-







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


ing or before heavy ralns. ne cloth will shed off a good deal of rain, as well as protect the lettuce from a beating rain.
Lettuce should be kept until well beaded and matured to insure good prices.
Frame lettuce should be planted to come off in December, January and February, as it usually sells best during those months. Earlier or later than the above dates it generally does not bring as good prices.
Big Boston variety is the favorite.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Phelps-It is unfortunate that the man who wrote the paper is not here to be questioned somewhat. We cannot ask questions on a paper that is simply read. One question I would ask him is, what is the necessity, in this climate, of raising lettuce under cover? And I would like to ask him, as it is contrary to what we have heard here, why organic fertilizer should be used on lettuce. I have raised a considerable arnount of lettuce in this climate myself, but I have always raised it outdoors. Last year I put out thirty-eight rods and I shipped in January a first-class lettuce. Sorne of the heads were sent to Jacksonville. I shipped five tons from that quarter of an acre. I don't think I could have done any better under the great expense of cloth covering. This was raised entirely in the open, on land well drained, but with tile underneath so that it could be wet or drained at my choice. Lettuce does not require much moisture. It is always best on the highest points in the field. I differ with him oia the point of Big Boston being the best. I am ex-


perimenting with lettuce to know which will do the best in this climate. It is a plant that I think will yield as much benefit to Florida, if properly cultivated, as the celery is doing. The past season has been one that has been most affected by insects in any of the twenty-six that I have spent in Florida, on trees, ornamentals and on vegetables. Usually I have grown with perfect impunity collards, but during this year I have been unable to grow collards. They have been entirely consumed by insects. Butterflies lay an egg that is very bad on lettuce and the cutworm is simply terrible, and the enemy that we have most to combat in raising lettuce is the cutworm. I saw last year where the lettuce was left on the land. This year I saw that land where the lettuce had been left over, not shipped, and I turned over a lot of it, and I could scrape tip the cutworms by the quart. If that debris had been burned it would have been different.
Mr. Waite-I think perhaps I can explain why the people of Gainesville grow lettuce under cover. It is to protect it from frost. I have seen lettuce fields injured by frost to such an extent that at times it became unsaleable. At other times, after remaining in the field perhaps a week longer, one could brush away the leaves affected by the frost and ship it as second-grade. We have grown lettuce on Manatee plantations and sold it at $14 a crate.
Mr. Embry-How inuch expense attends the culture of an acre of lettuce to put it on the market? How are the seed beds put in ? Is it by turning or other methods; and how soon are the plants ready? Do they have to be transplanted, or are they put direct from the







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


seed bed, and how often is it cultivated?
Mr. Phelps-There are no two people that cultivate lettuce alike. The majority of people make a seed bed and raise it about two inches high; put on the seed and brush over very lightly, and in about three weeks time from the time it is sowed it is ready to prick out. Some work it daily, others work it but once; and my experience is that those who have well fertilized with chemical fertilizer make as good lettuce from working it once as from working it many times. And my experience is, to work it with a wheel hoe, run it through once and then


stop. I think it is the best method. However, where the land has been under cultivation a couple of years, I would sow it in the check, and not have the trouble of transplanting. Last year we realized about $i,ooo to an acre. The early lettuce did not bring as large a price. The midseason lettuce brought from four to five dollars a basket. In the first shipment, perhaps of twenty crates, I got $3 per crate. I think $i,ooo gross per crate was what was generally realized, but it was an extraordinary season as to prices.


Pineapples and Other Tropical Fruits.



BY CYRUS W. BUTLER, OF ST. PETERSBURG.


Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
As our gathering here naturally constitutes an experience meeting, an(l my experience with pineapples is confined to the Pinellas peninsula, I will try to give a short synopsis of the industry as it exists there, without miakin ;g any pretentions of adding to the knowledge of informed growers, and with apologies to them for repeating that which they already know, which, however, is not the case with the majority of those who read the Report of our Proceedings.
Until 1890 no pineapples were grown upon the Pinellas peninsula, excepting a few small patches of Red Spanish, which were grown in open fields.
About that time a few small sheds were erected over Abbakas, Porto Ricos,


and the various Queens, but without financial success.
In 1895, S. N. Perkins & Company erected a two-acre shed and planted it ouit to Smooth Cayenne and a few Abbakas. At that time it Cost $2500 per acre to put out Cayennes tinder shed, hut the first crop of fruit and stickers paid for the pinery and left a good profit besides. The financial success, aided by an appeal to the eye of great beds of "living green," each plant topped with its beautiful fruit, was an example that needed only to he set, and during the last four years about fifty acres of sheds have been erected within twvo miles of St. Petersburg, and the industry is rapidly increasing.
The sheds are those known to mnost







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


growers and are made by placing 8 1-2 foot lightwood posts eight feet apart north and south by fourteen feet east and west, upon which, running east and west are 2x6x'5 feet stringers, or some use I 1-2x8x'5. On top of these stringers rest the Ix3xi6-foot slats, though some growers use Ix4 slats. Still others use lath for top, but the woven wire and lath top is not popular.
The land chosen varies all the way from low pine, through pine and willow oak, to rosemary and sprucepine scrub. Probably the growing tendency is toward the lower land.
The preparation of the land is as thorough as if intended for an onion bed. When practical to do so, stable manure, cow manure, tobacco stems or even oak leaves are plowed tinder and allowed to rot before planting. Cowpenning is also a good preparation, but in the majority of cases from one to three tons of blood and bone is harrowed in after plowing.
While planting may be done at any time of the year, it is seldom advisable to do so between September and March, and probably seventy-five per cent. of the sheds are planted during the rainy season.
After being stripped of their small basal leaves, the plants are set out eighteen inches east and west by twentyfive or thirty inches north and south, in beds nine feet in width, leaving a fivefoot walk between the beds. The usual distance of I8x3O, with walks, will give 8295 plants per acre, while I8X25 inches gives nearly ioooo plants per acre. Before the roots get near the surface of the earth, wheel hand hoes and rakes can be used to an advantage, but after the


shoots get up the scuffle hoe only is used. With young plants, the more cultivation, the more growth; but by the time the plants have got their growth, cultivation is almost if not entirely stopped, both because it is difficult and of doubtful utility.

FERTILIZERS.

After mixing and using twenty-four different formulas, I now use blood and bone and potash, with an occasional application of hardwood ashes. On new ground we usually apply blood and bone only for the first application and increase the potash with each application until 6y the time that the plant is about grown, when equal parts of low-grade potash and blood and bone are used (1-2 potash, 1-2 blood and bone). One successful grower uses high-grade potash and thereby gets twenty-five per cent. of actual potash.
Nitrogenous fertilizers should be used with caution, if at all, during the growth of the fruit; for at last when the fruit is well advanced, it has a tendency to cause it to crack open at the base. An average application would be four ounces per plant, with three or four applications per year.

DISEASES.

Blight is perhaps the only disease affecting our pineapples, but it seems to visit almost every pinery. In some cases the percentage is as low as one plant out Of 2,ooo, but again as high as fifty out of iooo plants. So far, we have discovered no cure for a plain case of blight, though if taken up, stripped and planted in a new place, the plants usually throw out a new







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


root system, and, after fruiting, nicelooking suckers. But I think that such suckers should not be used, for although they may not inherit the disease, they may inherit the tendency to contract it. Unless some blighted plants are wanted to experiment with, it is best to pull them tip and throw them away. Plants on low ground are less subject to blight than those upon higher ground.
This year five of our pineries have been aff ected by what is known as curl, which is a condition of the plant in which the bud turns over until it has assumed a horizontal instead of an upright position. During the winter it looked quite serious, as from five to fifteen per cent. of the plants of those wineries were affected, but now they seem to be outgrowing the conditions.
A committee from our local Pineapple Growers' Association was appointed to examine into the cause of this defect. While we came to no conclusions as to the cause, it was found that wineries fertilized with blood and bone and potash only were free from this trouble, while it did occur in wineries where nitrate of soda or nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia were used. I would suggest that possibly it was caused by those strong forms of ammonia Zetting into the plant.

INSECTS.

Under this heading, only the mealy bug and pineapple scale come to trouble us, and they are seldom sufficiently numerous to justify a combat; and when they are they die easily when fought with any good insecticide, at one-half of the usual strength used for citrus scale.
Ground tobacco used freely upon the


plants has a strong tendency to keep them down, and it is worth from fifty to seventy-five per cent of its cost as a fertilizer. But few growers have paid any attention to either of these pests.
As to the different kinds of plants, I can see no difference between the results from rattoons, suckers, slips, stool plants and crowns; provided that they are all equally good of their kind. Am inclined to think that crowns produce a slightly larger apple than the other plants, but they are somewhat subject to rot when planted. I

EFFECTS OF COLD.

While it would perhaps not be desirable to have the temperature go below 35 or 4o degrees Fahrenheit, the plants, even when blooming, have stood a temperature of 28 degrees Fahr. for some hours with a loss of the tips of the taller leaves only. I have never known of pineapple plants being killed in the neighborhood of St. Petersburg, ,vhen under a walled shed, but since 1895 I do not go to bed on cold nights.
As to varieties with us the Smooth Cayenne has taken the place of all others.

COSTS AND PROFITS.

At present prices, it costs about $16oo to plant out an acre shed of Cayennes, and nearly $2,000 to bring the same to bearing, but regardless of this high cost, all wineries of one-quarter acre or more that I know of have paid all expenses with the first crop of fruit and suckers, and usually a good profit besides. The best returns that I have heard of for a single crop of fruit only was $700 from






P'LORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


23oo plants, which was little more than one-quarter of an acre. The best returns for both fruit and suckers that I have met with was from a pinery 1 1-15 acres in extent, four-fifths of which was in
-Smooth Cayenne and the remainder in Abbakas. This pinery was planted three years ago last August, and up to this date $7,6o2 has been received from the sale of fruit and suckers, and these figures will easily reach $8,ooo during the next three months. This is an exceptionally profitable pinery, but I hear of another said to be more so.
More money has been realized from the sale of plants than for fruit, and while it would be natural to expect the price of suckers to decline, they sell for more to-day than they did three years ago.
Winter fruit sells higher than summer fruit, and early spring higher than winter, but the fruit grown during the dry spring months is best in quality.
Taken as a whole, the pineapple business ranks with orange growing, the two being the most profitable industries of our locality.

OTHER TROPICAL FRUITS OF THE SUBPENINSULA.

Prior to 1895, mangoes, avocado pears and guava trees shaded almost every door yard, while an occasional tamarind, sugar apple, soursop, sapodilla or papaya was thrown in for variety sake. The three first named were the most important, and of these the mango and avocado pear were highly profitable
-until our mango crop overstocked our local market, when we found that the only cities where this fruit could be sold


were those containing people from the tropics.
The palate of the North has not learned to understand the language of Miss Mango and therefore were dumb to her sweet accents, but to most of our local residents either the mango, avocado pear or guava was considered of more value for local use, during their season, than the citrus fruits at any season.
I would say that mangoes and avocado pears were greatly superior to the same species as brought from Cuba. The Cuban fruit being picked green may possibly account for the difference in part.
The freeze of 1894 destroyed not only our tropical trees, but also our courage to care for them, so that to-day we have only an occasional small mango tree and about enough avocado pear trees and guava bushes to furnish fruit for our local use. Not that we could not have had them in abundance by this time, had we planted during the spring of 1895, but we lacked faith, and without faith man eats but the fruit of neglect.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Porcher-1 have no report to make. I am not a pineapple grower nor a grower of tropical fruits. I don't think I could add anything to Mr. Butler's excellent paper. One or two have suggested that I should be on the committee because I am the agent of the pineapple growers; but that is entirely a question of marketing, and one I don't think should be considered here. The point is that this is the season when it may be a little inopportune for me to speak on the subject of marketing, as we have in our section quite a little opposition on






FLORIDA STATE RORTIVULTURAL SOCIETY


that very question this year. In fact, the new movement there claims a large percentage of the fruit, and while the old Association is going on with its business there has been quite a little comment by the press on this subject. In our plan of marketing the design was simply to have an agent at the most effective point for receiving and forwarding the shipments to the proper markets, with a system of local agents in the markets we would need who would be our agents. That is to say, that they should handle no other pineapples during our season. On those lines we appointed agents in sixty-one markets which have been reduced to thirty-nine. Starting in with the crop of 1896, we have gradually increased the net result, until last season, with 132,000 crates of pineapples in the territory in which we operate, we marketed 51,248 crates, and our net result, including culls, ripes, etc., was $1.73 a crate. We have stated in print that we are proud of that net result; that it is the highest that has been made. In addition to that, there were f.o.b. sales of about 35,000 crates; the prices ranged for a few as low as $1-50, for most of them $1.75, and as high as $2.25. Now, when you consider that the Red Spanish pine yielded as high as 6oo crates to the acre, with that net result, it is one that is worthy of the attention of anyone, and in fact our growers to-day are assured that despite the conditions against them, we have made conditions that insure a good net result for good Red Spanish pines.
The conditions have been such fTom our section that this season a large part of the fruit will be sold, and with the two organizations working, there is practically no fruit that will not go through an


organization. The new party has so far endorsed our plan, with the exception that they contemplate selling more fruit on orders.
I would state that when we first took hold of this system we used the 'large barrel crate. NVe now use the standard crate. With that crate we can wiap and pack the Red Spanish pines and we can have those pines transported to the most distant markets, with practically none of the fruit spoiled. In addition to that, we organized a close intercourse with the markets and with the transportation men. We watched those cars in Jacksonville on the transit. We could send a car to Cincinnati and have fruit cut out and sent on to Columbus and delivered, and we even put fruit in less than carload lots through on car-lot time. The West was always opened to us for car-lot shipments, and we were in position to make those lots. With a simple system of marketing any of the products that go out of this State, be they what they may, with a local agent and a system of agents appointed and understood to be st)lely representing that Association, success can be assured in any direction, whether it be pineapples or oranges. Any other system will certainly meet with failure. Where auction is the system, there is-. bound to be loss between the buyer and the man who grows the fruit ., whereas we, have withdrawn from markets where our fruit would be lowered through competition against itself. Under our condi, tions and with this watchfulness, the proper markets can be found. all fruit can be used, and those who had never heard of pines on the plant rushed in to see fruit on plants we exhibited until the policemen had to separate the crowd. This was in Cleveland., Ohio. In'Buf-







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


falo we started off with five carloads and we have gotten up to thirty. Therefore for the Red Spanish pine the field is open and is increasing. Our only necessity is to grow a marketable fruit. Of course, if we will grow 48 to the crate, instead of 24, the one selling at $1-50 gross and the other at $3, the one taking 48 pines, the other 24 to the crate, the man who grows the 24s and 30s is the man who will win.
The use of ice is deadly to any pine. It will cause it, if green, not to ripen; if ripe, to decay. We load those cars with crates well spaced, well ventilated, so that if you place small pieces of paper at one end they will be carried right through the car to the other end by the draft; there is a strong current of air, and the fruit is kept in perfect condition. The only time we have any difficulty is after July; from this on toward the end


of the season we have our trouble. Up to that date we can strike an average, and it is surprising to know how it stands. Late in season local fruits are coming in plentifully. Peaches will sell 12 1-2 cents to 25 cents per basket. People have been eating pines since the first of April. The canning has been done and even the men to make the juice for medicinal purposes and soda fountains have stopped, and at that date we have the most difficult time. We have to urge our agents and this is the time we have to fight hardest for the success of our work. This is when returns will. come in sometimes very poor and unjust growers will be dissatisfied. We cannot fail to have these difficulties every season and we cannot do more than do our best. But all we aim for and ask is to make the net result on the whole for the good of the grower.


Mr. Porcher-I think we all recall cases where the reading of the thermometer has been given in various sections. I have always thought that many times a man was right where he was accused of being wrong; that there are big dips of cold that there is no accounting for. I have known on the East Coast on one occasion where the fruit was injured by a southwest cold wind. On another, West Palm Beach and Lemon City were struck, and no harm done elsewhere.


Dr. J. W. Plummer had his pines absolutely frozen and ruined and those at the north and south of him were uninjured. Last winter when the lowest reading of the thermometer in Rockledge was 30 degrees, we recorded 18 degrees at my grove on Merritt's Island for a short time. Some young trees were killed; we have not a guava this year. Two miles south of us there was no injury done. The same north. It did not cross the river. When we made fires


Protection, Cold Weather Cycles, Etc.


A DISCUSSION.







FLORIDA STATE BORTICUITURAL SOCIETY


under my shredded grove to protect the bloom, the wind drifted the smoke out on the river, showing that the wind was from the east. We had it for several hours at 24 degrees, and some fruit near the ground we cut into and it was full of ice. We have been unable to find any explanation of these conditions, but the foregoing are the facts.
Mr. Taber-I have had some experience, and we have found that after the wind has blown for twenty-four or thirtysix hours from the northwest, and finally goes around and blows from the south, that we have it just as cold from the south as it was from the northwest, and we have actually lighted fires at 4 o'clock in the morning to protect the trees from the south wind.
Mr. S. B. Mann-In regard to the north end of a south wind, it is as cold as the south end of a north wind. In our county there has been a great deal of money expended in tents, in sheds and in open fires, and those who have made no attempt at protection, except the banking-up of the sand as high as you could make it stand, are just as well off to-day, so far as I know, and I have come to this conclusion-perhaps you would not all agree with me-that if I cannot grow oranges where I live without sheds or artificial protection, then I must quit it and do something else; and that, I think, is about the wisest thing we can any of us do.
Mr. Stevens-We have about fifty five acres under sheds, and we are very well pleased with the results. We find the trees grow better under the sheds, they take less fertilizer, they have more moisture. We found the moisture warmed the surface and I will say this, that the trees under the sheds so far


take up ammonia so fast that it is very difficult to give them any regular fertilizer. They take up too much ammonia. We gave less of it and in some cases none whatever, and still results showed they had too much. Whether it is the ammonia has been taken out, I cannot say. Those trees showing sappy growth have no fruit. I think they will. One thing about the shed is that we have not got to hurry the fruit off for fear it will freeze.
Mr. Mann-I did make an exception of those sheds where there was fire kept up, and I think it is commendable in Mr. Stetson, who has the millions to do it with. We have not.
Mr. Russell-If it is true, as Mr. Stevens informs us, that we don't have to fertilize with nitrogenous fertilizers those orange trees which are under sheds, is that not a big item? That is the great thing we claim in the pineapple business, and so it is in growing oranges. If we can escape that big expense, if we can feed that orange tree with bone and potash, and get good fruit, I think we are ahead of the game. The nitrogen is the greatest expense.
Mr. Fairbanks-I can only give information from the result of some fifteen years of experience in Florida, and I think it will be encouraging. I came to the state about seven years after the freeze of 1835, and from that time on the trees were growing well until the scale insects attacked them and nearly destroyed all the groves. That seemed to be a destructive plague that would render groves impossible, but in a few years that passed away, and with care the orange trees were brought forward and grew.
From 1835 to 1895, sixty years, there







FbORIDA STARR HORTICUbTURAL SOCIETY


was no weather cold enough to kill a grown orange tree. Then it came, and it came in a double way. There came a freeze on the 3oth of December, 1894. In the course of two weeks those trees all started up again and promised to have a crop that year, until, on the 8th of February, there came another freeze as severe as the other; but the difference was that the trees had then begun to grow again and had thrown out sprouts, the sap was up, and that freeze, with the sap up, killed the trees.
During all this period that I speak of there never was five years that there Avas not cold weather. There never was five years that the thermometer did not go down in the region Of 2o degrees. Sonie of you recollect that in 1884 and 1885, when the thermometer went down so low that it took off the ends of the limbs. We will grow orange trees and they will withstand any ordinary freeze. It is only these extraordinary freezes which kill.
Now, whether we have or have tiot entered upon a new period of sixty years, Providence only knows, but what has been will be, and I believe that there will come a time, not very far hence, when these severe freezes will merge into the ordinary winter climate of Florida. What we want to do is to carr- these young trees up to a hardy stage, and when you reach that hardy stage you are fixed for the future. I don't think tliere is any reason for us to be discouraged. I think that those who have cared for and banked them will reap a reward. I don't think that the climate is changed. We simply know that within a certain period there will come, some time or other, these very severe blizzards or freezes, and if it should happen to take


place in 1834 and 1894, we may look for them now. The question is, of course, open.
It is questioned by Mr. Stevens whether we shall protect these trees with sheds. A large number of orange growers may not be able to go to that expense, but there is a mode of preserving the young tree by banking, by means of which we have brought forward that portion of the trees which has been covered by the banks, and enabling us to bring our trees up to the stage where they will be able to resist the cold. The tent that I have been using for the past winter was a very simple device, consisting of three poles, with a tent that fastened around the top, gathered together at , lie botom, and a good-sized lamp put inside. It is a cheap tent of twelve feet in height, costing not over $1.50.
Mr. Barber-I ask for information on this subject. Is it not a fact that in past years the winter was as cold as it is of later years, but it was in the first part of the winter, and that these freezes that have done the damage are freezes that have come later in the spring It seems to me, while I am a young man, that twenty years ago the winters were equally as cold as they are now, but I think that it was in the first part of the winter, and the seasons are changing and the cold is coming in the last part of the season, and is catching these trees after the sap is up and they are growing. If that be the fact, with the experience that the orange men have had in this State, could not these trees be cultivated and fertilized in a way that would hold back the starting of the growth to a certain extent later in the spring?
Mr. Fairbanks-It is undoubtedly true that the cold weather used to come at an







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIRTY


earlier season. In fact, we generally considered that there was danger any time after Christmas. The first two weeks of January were the point of danger. The great freeze came on the Sth and the second the I 2th, and the last came as late as the 19th of February, which is the latest cold. Mr. Gaitskill has a theory that there is an evolution from the stars by which the cold weather is being removed on, and that when it is absorbed in the warmth of April we will have no cold weather. But, like everything else, this period in which the cold will come is a matter of controversy. Now, the Chinese have a system of keeping back their peaches and other fruit by removing the earth from the roots. If we can manage to keep the sap back to the 2oth of February we will probably have no danger whatsoever.
Mr. Hubbard-There is a way for keeping back the growth of small trees, but the effect is bad. This last winter we had several rather cold snaps. On the 24th of February, on the surface of the ground, the thermometer was 35 degrees. Some of my neighbors covered trees with veneer boxes. Some of the trees were not covered. Inside those boxes where they had been kept tight and dark no growth had been made at all. It was as cold inside the boxes as it was outside. No damage was done to the trees because they had made no growth. But keeping them shut up retarded them, and after the cover had been removed some of them were a month later making growth than those that were outside, and the trees which had been boxed up tight had practically no fruit. As far as my observation went, it would seem that keeping


trees shut up close and dark has a bad eff ect.
Dr. Kerr-With six years passed and the next hard freeze to come in fifty-four years, although a comparatively young man, I am not afraid of that freeze. But, what little experience I have had in the covering of trees in the past winter, I have had just the opposite experience of that which Mr. Hubbard has spoken of. The trees that I had enclosed were not affected at all. I had them banked two and a half feet high. Then I had a strong string drawn around the trees, and drew them together and built a box over them. I had a loose cover top, and when the weather was pleasant I removed it. The boxes were only three feet square. All the trees that I had treated in this way, the first of March, when I removed the boxes entirely and took down the banks, the growth was six inches, and they are the only trees to-day that bloomed and have fruit upon them. Other trees looked well, but they were a month later catching up to these trees. They looked better, were greener, and showed it in every respect. One night I was a little frightened and I had all lamps ready, but concluded that it was not necessary. Only one night did I place lamps in these boxes, and then I believe that it was unnecessary.
Mr. Russell-T believe Dr. Kerr has said that he took the top of the cover off at times to air those trees, and Mr. Hubbard told about boxing his trees.
Mr. Hubbard-The trees that I spoke of where the growth was retarded were kept covered up tight. Trees, of course, that had the covers removed, except on cold nights, made more growth than those outside. Where cloth covers







FLORIDA STATE RORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


were used instead of wooden covers, the trees made as much growth in these boxes as where the wooden top covers were removed.
Mr. Butler-Last winter I covered a quarter of my grove so that there was almost no sunlight at all, just to see what the result would be; and the only result I know so far was that it was three weeks behind the other part. I suppose, because I kept the sunlight off.
Mr. Hart-I would like to cite Mr. Shooter's case. He covered a grove of seven acres tight during the winter and he found he could keep his trees dormant for three weeks later. My shed is covered so that it gives a half shade, and those trees start earlier than they do outside. It is largely a matter of shutting off the light or admitting it.
What Mr. Stevens said in regard to dieback is one point that I spoke of last year, and cautioned those in regard to working their trees too much. I saw an indication of dieback at that time. It was one of the things that we had to learn under the new conditions. I learned that it would do that and the reason is because there is so much more moisture and warmth in there, which makes the soil ferments more active. And if you work your soil a little too much or fertilize with an excess of nitrogen, you have a case of dieback. I just quit working in the shed, and don't intend to work my trees until they show some sign of need of nitrogen again. This has cured the trouble and the trees have put on a fine growth.
Where the covering laths are an inch or more thick, they shut off the light very much more than laths three-eighths of an inch thick. If the laths are thick, the sun's rays cannot get down between


them until it gets high in the heavens, and they are soon shut off in the afternoon. More than that, the thick lath does not last as long, for the moisture cannot dry out before fermentation begins and causes rot, while thin laths dry out, keep sound and only wear out. The result of having thin laths and having more light is that my shredded grove put on a full bloom this year, and, as stated, a good even crop right through the grove, so I have no reason to complain. Anyone who would grumble and want more would be a little selfish. The mercury went down outside to 24 degrees al my place. That is lower than it went up this way. At that time the growth under the shed was perhaps two to six inches long and carrying blossom buds in plenty. I had about one fire to five or six trees tinder my shed and kept the temperature above the danger point. Out in the open grove I had small fires. I had a small pile of wood at each tree. I fired every other pile, every other row. It seemed to be a perfect success, protecting those large trees covered also with fruit buds with small fires in the open ground. I don't think we could have done as well with small trees. Only one fire to four trees kept the mercury six degrees and more above outside temperature, while I was prepared to fire at every tree, but had no need to do so.
Another point that I want to discuss is that we have freezes every four or five years that will destroy the crop if it is on the tree at the time. With the shed, you can save your crop; the shed is an added safety. Mr. Fairbanks thinks and I think that if the trees could get large, as they were before, they would be less liable to injury by freeze. With the







FLORIDA STATB HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


trees we have that we have not set out since the big freeze, there are more callouses near the ground, so that if our present old trees got back to the old size they will not be as safe as before, but trees planted now would be just as safe as they were before the freeze.
Question-How much did your shed cost ?
Mr. Hart-My shed cost me $45o an acre. It will cost a little more than that now, because material is a little higher priced.
Question-What would it cost per acre if lumber could be had at $6 a thousand?
Mr. Hart-That is exactly what I paid for mine; it is thin pecky cypress; that is the lumber which covers the sides and the laths for the roof cost $1.25. The only thick stuff which I used, costing $io, was ix6 run across the top of each line of posts one way. The top is fifteen to sixteen feet.
Mr. Painter-I would like to ask if Major Fairbanks remembers, in his experience in Florida, any year in which we had frost as late as this year.
Mr. Fairbanks-I think not. I have known on one or two occasions a late frost that would take the bloom, but it never got down as late as this year.
Mr. Waite-In 18go, the 17th of March, we lost 1280 trees in Marion county that were eight to ten feet high.
Mr. Hubbard-A few days ago I was talking with a native of Florida whose father lived here at the time of the freeze of 1835 and who hunted the Seminole Indians. He told me that his father always told him that the first freeze in 1835, although it did a great deal of damage to the trees, did not kill them all out. Then they had a frost the ioth


of April that killed them to the ground.
Major Fairbanks-I should doubt very much that statement. We have authentic information on the.- subject in Williams' History of Florida which gives a somewhat detailed account of that freeze, and I think we can assume that this history of Mr. Williams, which was written in 1837, is authentic. I have also seen it stated that it occurred on different dates. I think that my recollection is fixed that the freeze of 1837 occurred on the 17th of February.
Mr. Hubbard-This gentleman said there were two freezes that year.
Miss - : I would like to tell of a cover that my father has tried at Dade City. It is made of slats and lined with palm leaves, two layers, about four inches thick, and inside the palm leaves is moss. One of them he tried this year was round, the other two were square and fastened with hinges, and during the winter weather he would take the cover off the top so as to have ventilation, and he found them very successful. I have not beard anything of that kind mentioned. The other trees around were damaged badly.
Mr. Potter-We have four acres of grove and will have two or three hundred boxes of oranges. There were 117 tents and where we put these up the trees were a month later in putting out. One was a grapefruit, but it has no fruit on it and no bloom, while of the other trees, one-half have fruit on them, and the tangerines have one-third less fruit than those which were outside. I would like someone to explain whether it was the fault of the tent or what?
Dr. Kerr-I believe it was because they were not sufficiently ventilated.
Mr. Potter-They were put up the







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIRTY


middle of November and taken down the middle of March ', opened on all pleasant days. They were only closed up five times during the season.
Mr. Mann-Can anyone explain to us why it is, as seems to be a fact, that the temperature inside of a tent with the lamp is lower than it is outside at the same time?
Mr. Butler-I don't know about the tent business, but the first year we had sheds up I never found a single night in which the thermometer was not 3o degrees in it, or lower. In many instances I found that the thermometer was as low inside as outside, and one night I found that it was a little lower. That is the way we stand with the thermometer. Those variations occur to a less or greater extent.
Mr. Mann-The tents were put on every alternate tree, and of course they could not test all of the grove; they could only test part of it. The trees outside of the tents were not injured; those inside of the tents were almost ruined.
(Note by Secretary-The following remarks were made later in the day, but are placed here in order to preserve continuity of the discussion.)
Mr. Hubbard-This afternoon I received corroboration of the statement that I made in regard to the ioth of April frost in 1835. It seems that one of the oldest inhabitants of St. Augustine
-Mr. John Masters, who lived here all his life-was here at the time of the Seminole war, and died about a year ago over go years of age. He had a grove right north of the town and he told my informant a number of times that there was a second frost in z835, in April, which did most damage to the orange


trees which were full of sap and growing. Of course, with everything lush and growing, a heavy white frost, say 28 degrees or even 3o degrees, would kill the sprouts and young trees. I thought it would be of interest to the Society to know that there were two freezes in 1835.
Mr. Mann-I would like to ask Mr. Hubbard if he learned in any of his inquiries whether the winters following j835 were cold winters as we have had for the last four or five years? I have been told that the freeze was followed by a series of cold winters.
Mr. Hubbard-Well, I don't remember. There are several gaps in the records. Mr. Mitchell, the weather bureau director in Jacksonville, has compiled records from all the information he, could get as to frosts, and I don't remember now just how that was. By reference to the 18gg report of the Society, which contains the weather map of the historic freezes, and those records of Mr. Mitchell7s, one could follow it up pretty well. But there have been cold winters at intervals of five or six years since records have been kept. In a recent article in the Florida Agriculturist I showed the connection between cold winters and sun spots which have periods of five to six years.
(Note-The article referred to by Mr. Hubbard is as follows:)

SUN SPOTS AND FREEZES.

Sir Norman Lockyer, the eminent astronomer, in a recent article, quotes the following table that has been prepared by meteorologists who have been studying the effects of the eleven-year periods







PLORIDA STAIT HORTIOULTURIL SOOINTr


of sun spots on the rainfall of India and other countries:

Rain from-pulse . 88 98 1879 (part.)
1879 (part.)
No rain pulse . 1850 central year 11881 (part.)
1881 (part.)
11882.
Rain from X pulse . 1883.
1881 (part.)
1884 (part.)
No rain pulse . . 1885 central y'r.
1886
1887 (part.)
1887 (part.)
Rain from-pulse . 1888.
11889.
It is often asserted as a fact by old residents of Florida that wet summers are usually followed by mild winters. n
studying rainfall it was found to be the greatest at the maximum and minimum of sun spot activity. In other words, it would appear that there is greatest heat activity in the sun during the years of these periods about five and one-half years apart, more moisture being evaporated into and precipitated from t e atmosphere. It follows, therefore, that during the dryer intermediate years there is greater liability to cold winters. I have therefore prepared a table of these years, and it is interesting to note how closely the historic freezes in Florida come to these periods: DEG.
1836 . Feb. 7, 1835 8 1841 No record.
1842
1847 . 1845 20 1852 . 1852 1853 20
1858 . 1857 16
1863 No records. February 20, 1864, snow, 1864 orange trees killed at Brooksville. 1869 . I Dec. 1868 20 Dec. 1870 19
1874 j 1873 24
1875 t . 1876 24


1880 . . . Dec. 28, 1880 19 1885 I VM 21
1886 Jan- 12. 1886 15
1891 . M arch, 1890 27 1896 Dec. 30, 1894 14
1897 Feb. 8, 1895 14
1902 . Feb. 12, 1899 10 Feb. 18, 1900 19
1907
1908
1913
1918
1919
NOTs-Bracketed years follow maximum and single years minimum sun spots.
In looking over this table it is most natural to suppose that variations in extremes from the years indicated as far as Florida is concerned have been equalized by severe cold in other parts of this or the Eastern continents, or perhaps in the Southern hemisphere.
It would appear also that the cold extremes have been coming ahead of the culmination of the cycles for the past two periods.
There has been a gradual tapering off in the intensity of the extremes for the past three years.
It does not appear from this short period whether intensity of extremes is greatest after a maximum or minimum of sun spots yet there is an approximate regularity that would lead to the expectation of three or four years of comparatively mild winters before extremes are encountered again.
The uncertainty as to whether the mountain billows of cold air will break from the polar regions with greatest force on the Eastern or Western continents, the small knowledge that has been gained of the light warm upper air currents that flow North to replace the heavy cold air waves, the short periods, comparatively, for which data have been gathered of magnetic and meteorological







PLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


changes, and the uncertainty as to whether extremes of heat, cold or precipitation will be equalized gradually over wide areas or suddenly within narrow limits, will make general predictions of weather changes for years or even months ahead, of comparatively small local value. Yet, as we look back at the


Vast advances that have been made in all sciences in the past century, it is reasonable to hope that equations of the almost unknown forces can be prepared in the' future that will give more definite answers to the problems of abnormal local conditions.


Early, Suber, Maggie, jewel, etc.; and to prove my faith by my works, I am preparing land now on which to set a new orchard this coming winter. Seventy-five to eighty per cent. will be of these early varieties.
The trees I have at present were set in my orange groves, about 300 in November, '86, about goo in December, '95. The older 3oo have been killed to the stump the second time; the others, except the latter kinds, once. High winds play havoc with the new limbs, splitting them off the stump because of this weakness; and I have strong. hopes that the orange trees are to be spared to spread and grow and fill all the space with their incomparable beauty. And for reasons given before in this Society, I believe that the peach and orange trees should be in different plots of ground on account of different modes of cultivation. For these reasons, I have decided to set a new orchard. Will hold on to the old trees until new ones fruit, or for two more crops after the present one.


Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Anyone who has listened to or read the reports of your Committee on Peaches, Pears and Plums, with the discussions following these papers, for the past four or five years, I am sure must feel that if anything is said we will have to thrash over old straw.
The growing of early peaches in Florida has not been an unbroken success the past five or six years. The freeze of 95, killing trees back to the stump, again in '99, with perhaps twenty-five per cent. killed below the bud-in this '99 freeze my Angel and Waldo trees were killed back to large branches-crop of all early varieties lost by cold in igoo
-a good crop of Angels and Waldos in igoi-all this, with the San Jose scale to contend with, must convince every one that the South Florida peach grower's bed is not one of flowery ease.
But with all these drawbacks, we believe there is money to be made in growing peaches in Florida. I still pin my faith to the early varieties, Bidwell's


Culture of Early Peaches.



BY J. P. MACE, OF THE COMMITTEE.







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


The present crop was saved by open fires-only lighting every other row. Fired five times during the winter, but .know now that three times would have been enough. At the time was afraid to take chances. Orchards in our section not fired will have some fruit, but a very light crop of the early varieties. For all ordinary cold snaps, down possibly to 22 or 23, 1 believe it entirely practical to save young peaches with open wood fires placed northwest of each tree. But with such a freeze as we had that Monday morning in February, '99, if you could rest contented, my advice would be, stay in bed, sleep on, take thy rest; believing that it may be years before we will again be visited by such a blizzard. We have faith to push on.
Given a first-class piece of virgin high pine land, well cleared and plowed, set with first-class four to six feet trees as our worthy President knows how to grow, not closer than 20X25 feet, with a little good fertilizer, thorough cultivation, dig out the borers, fight the San Jose scale with kerosene or kerowater, thin the fruit, don't pick until well colored (not ripe enough to be soft), handle like eggs, grade and pack carefully, full measure pressed down, ship to good houses only-and await returns with an assurance and satisfaction that is sure to come with experience.
At one time in my life I was the happy possessor of forty Leconte pear trees, but as demands arose for more profitable uses of the land, they have slowly but surely disappeared, until only a beggarly half dozen is left. These are kept so that when my friends say, "Do you have pear trees?" I can truly say, "Sure. Why not?"
Led on by the glowing accounts of


fortunes to be made growing Kelsey or Satsuma or Blood plums, by our agricultural writers and nurserymen, not wishing to be left behind in any good thing, I set Out 300 Of these trees, fertilized, pruned and dogged about them for three or four years, without results. They were uprooted and used for a glorious Fourth of July bonfire, to the delight of the small boys of the neighborhood. We now boast of only one plum tree, an Excelsior, set in '94, bearing a light crop in 1 97, better in '98, in '99 sold plums to the
amount of $I I and had all we wanted for home use; in igoo, shipped seven crates, which sold for from $2 to $3.50 per crate. Had some home sales and uses. Tree bending under present crop. Two or three of the newer Japan plums, Botan and Wickson, set three years ago, but no fruit to show yet.
As between peaches, pears and plums, or
give me peaches every time; three times a day if you please, sliced, with sugar and good Jersey cream, with an occasional cobbler thrown in for variety.

PEACH TREES UNDER PROTECTION.

Report by C. C. Shooter, of the Corrimittee.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
The last few winters have emphasized the fact that if we wish to grow very early peaches some kind of protection is necessary. The old Peento, which is one of the earliest peaches to ripen, and also one of the best in quality, is going out of cultivation because it is so seldom that we can get a crop from it. In the few mild winters previous to 1895 it was the best paying peach we had.
That peaches will grow, thrive, and







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULPURAL SOCIETY


form success. Last year the trees did not do well. I do not think it was the fault of the trees for I obtained them of reputable nurserymen. I gave them good care, but both these and some of my neighbors' trees did not do as well as those which I have planted this year. Some of my old trees had the appearance of dying. I headed them back severely, they sprouted out from the stubs and have grown and made magnificent trees. They seem to be in better condition than even the young trees. It was only a small per cent. that had the appearance of dying. Most of my trees had a good crop. We have had peaches ever since January. This was from a scattering bloom that came on in the fall, and after the birds took in their share there was not much left. I think that there is no place in the State or South where peach growing can be engaged in as profitably as in South Florida. I don't think there would be any hazard in planting a peach orchard in Polk county on new land. I think there would be a Cr
Freat advantage in taking the virgin soil in planting a peach orchard. I have some very fine trees that are seedlings.
Major Fairbanks-Have you planted them in hammock or high land?
Dr. Inman-All in high pine land, land that has been cultivated in tomato crops for several years.
Major Fairbanks-I have had some experience in planting hammock land and the trees would flourish for a year and then die off.
A Member-My experience has made rne believe that that is true, that they will die back sooner or later, and quicker than they will on high land. They must not be planted with oranges. To go into the peach business, my expe-


fruit and that the bloom and fruit can be saved, even in case of heavy freezes, I have proved in my two-acre grove, tinder cover, where for the last three winters we have never failed to get a crop, when all the peaches of the same varieties outside were frozen.
The most curious fact that I have observed is that the peaches will bloom in almost darkness not more than a week or a fortnight later than the same varieties outside, and that they will set and mature well colored fruit of fine quality with one-quarter shade and tbree-quarters light.
The main object, however, is to get the earliest peaches, and this can be done
ist. By arranging the cover to give sufficient light, but so that it can be closed up quickly in case of frost.
2nd. By entirely changing the method of cultivation.
In outside culture it is our object to fertilize and cultivate late in the year. so as to retard the early blooming. In a shed, however, we want this early bloom, and must therefore cease cultivation in August or September, so that the trees can harden up the growths. They will bloom all winter. If the firing is properly attended to this bloom can be saved and a very early crop secured. The shed must be built high enough so that the tres will not require any pruning.

DISCUSSION.

Dr. Inman-I am engaged in growing peaches probably as far South as it has been attempted on any important scale; and I may say that I cannot report tini-






FLORIDA SPATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


rience is that you must go into the peach business.
Dr. Inman-I would say in regard to planting them with orange trees, they seem to do equally as well; I have them growing where the peach trees are almost interlocking over the orange trees, and the orange trees are doing finely. I have five thousand orange trees and five thousand peach trees planted in the same forty acres of land. There will be two or three poor trees and two or three which I may not fertilize alike or may not care for alike, all right otherwise.
Mr. Porcher-Are those the trees that have had their tops cut off and have recovered?
Dr. Inman-Yes, sir; and those new tops on old trunks stand there now twelve or fifteen feet high.
Walter Cooper-The gentleman referred to the peaches on the hammock land. Now, we know it is a fact that in the muck land of Kissimmee the early peaches have done remarkably well. I have never been in the orchards; I have seen photographs of the orchard and of the fruit, but a neighbor of mine has been over the grove, which was eight or ten years of age at that time, and the trees - were enormous and bearing well. There may be some conditions or some questions of hammock land that I know nothing about. My efforts have all been on high pine lands.
In regard to growing peaches generally speaking, I say that to do this te-day


the peach grower has got to tackle the business in a systematic manner. That he has got to adopt spraying as a part. I am certain of it and I did not learn it until this winter. I learned it too late to profit by it. I am troubled with a scale. This is the case where I would advise spraying. Of course, I would not make a general rule of it, but I believe that this work, as far as the peach is concerned, had better be prepared before the buds are out. There is a work that has been issued by the Department that is most comprehensive as applying to peaches in cultivation. But since they have adopted spraying as a part of their business, the result is so satisfactory that one cannot help but believe in it. Even spray one-half of a tree and it will have hundreds of full grown fruit on that half and hardly a single sign on the other half. I have some trees that I would like to spray, but I am afraid to do it. This year I lost them on the ioth of February. For sick peach trees, Dr. Inman's remedy, that is, cutting back, is one of the best remedies I ever knew of. After the freeze of 1899 we had 300 late peaches that were injured very badly. The matter was put in my hands. What would you do'? I would go in there and saw their heads off. I saw one of the handsomest groves I ever looked at, about 400 unproductive trees. I said if they were mine I would saw their heads off and next spring I would have buds on every single tree.




















Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
In the paper which I have prepared for this occasion I have decided to touch but briefly upon a few of the common diseases which affect the fruits of the State. To go into a thorough discussion of each and every disease would be entirely out of place. Such a paper would be much too lengthy and you would be thoroughly tired of the matter before I had finished. In the course of my remarks I shall touch upon a new disease of the orange, the scab of the Satsuma, pecan leaf blight, strawberry leaf blight, the crown gall of the peach and the pear blight.
A NEW DISEASE OF THE ORANGE.
In March Mr. A. E. Stebbins forwarded to the Department a number of diseased orange twigs affected with a trouble new to him. In some respects it resembles dieback, but must be considered entirely distinct from that disorder. The twigs appear in many respects to be quite healthy, but scattered here and there over the surface are rather circular, elevated, light brown patches. In some cases the elevated patches have a second elevation in the center. In diameter they vary from one-eighth to onehalf an inch. In some cases they are confluent, forming patches of considerable area, frequently surrounding small


portions of apparently normal bark. In the early stages the spots show in the form of a number of small, dark, elevated dots, arranged in a somewhat circular group, and surrounded by a light yellowish band. This light band appears to mark the size of the spots when matured. In the later stages the elevated portions of the pustules cover nearly the whole surface of the twig, becoming somewhat grayish in color and giving, to the bark a very rough and uneven appearance.
I have sought diligently for the cause of this trouble, but a microscopical examination has revealed nothing. It is possible that in some later stage of the disease something will be found which will point to a specific cause. Upon investigation of the literature of orange diseases I have not been able to find anything relating to it.
It is not common and has as yet done but little damage, though in one case a ree was found badly affected and nearly killed. I advised Mr. Stebbins to make an application of a fungicide, but have not yet heard whether it had any beneficial effects.
SCAB ON THE SATSUMA.
During the past year a considerable number of Satsuma fruits and leaves affected by scab have been forwarded to


Some Fungous Diseases of Citrus and Other Fruits.


BY PROFESSOR H. HAROLD HUME, OF THE STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


the Department, and in spite of the fact that this disease is so commonly present in the State, it would appear that there are a considerable number who are unacquainted with its cause, nature and the means by which it may be controlled. For the reason just indicated I shall give a short description of this well marked disease. The fruit, when affected, is covered with wart-like corky elevations. Beneath these the tissue of the kind will be found to be somewhat thickened. The warts are at first yellow, translucent, then grayish, later becoming dusky in color, still later quite dark, and the tops of the excrescences break open. These warty elevations are frequently confluent and of considerable extent and irregular in shape, but when they occur singly they are cone-shaped. The disease is caused by a fungus, a species of Cladosporium. It affected the sour orange,, lemon and bitter sweet.

METHODS OF CONTROL.

So far as I am aware, there is no other means by which this disease can be controlled except by applying a fungicide to the trees. The trees should be sprayed at least three times, giving the first application just after the fruit has set and the other two within the next six weeks. Use either ammoniacal solution of copper carbonate or Bordeaux mixture.

CROWN GALL.

The disease now generally known under the above name is widely distributed throughout the United States, and it is responsible for the death of many peach trees in the peach districts of the coun5


t ry. It annually costs the peach growers in the neighborhood Of $500,000, In Florida it is quite common and seems to confine its work to no one locality or class of soils, and it is without doubt a disease to be dreaded and guarded against.
How long it has been at work in the peach orchards of the State it is difficult to say. Its history goes back many years; presumably it has been present in Florida amost since the beginning of the industry.
The disease is characterized by the formation of galls of different sizes upon the crowns and roots of the trees. It is not to be confused with the galls formed by the Nematode, as they are characteristically different. Neither is it to be confused with the gummy, often rather hard, enlargements formed by borers at the crown of the tree. Usually the grower first notes its presence upon the tree just at or near the surface of the ground. Upon examination, galls wili general be found upon the roots as we]l and frequently diseased trees may be found, upon which the galls are formed entirely beneath the ground The galls are excrescences composed of hypertrophied tissue. In the early stages they are small, usually somewhat rounded in form and attached to the root or stem by a somewhat constricted neck. They are quite smooth in the early stages, but as they become older and increase in size, they become rough, corrugated and wrinkled. They are at first light in color and the tissue is quite soft. Later they become brown, firmer and still later hard and brittle, which stage is characteristic of the dead gall, The life of the gall is about one season. It then dies, but about the old dead







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


one a gall in the form of a solid ring or a broken ring of galls will in all probability develop the next season. The disease frequently extends to the roots. The word "extends" is used advisedly, for it seems that in nearly all cases the trouble originates at or near the crown. Beneath the gall the wood in due time dies. The tree is weakened and, if not broken off by the wind, eventually succumbs. If the trees become affected while young it is quite safe to conclude that they will never reach bearing age.
The disease according to the excellent investigations of Tourney, is caused by a slime mould, Dendrophagus globosus. Tou. It belong to the lowest form of plant life, that group over which botanists and zoologists generally disagree, each claiming that they belong respectively to the plant and animal kingdom. These low organisms are known as myxomycetes.
The vegetative stage is known as the plasmodium. During this stage it consists of free protoplasm capable of amoeboid movements. It lives within and feeds upon the contents of the cells. While it is developing in the tissues of the host the cells grow at an exceedingly rapid rate, and the gall in consequence becomes greatly enlarged. This rapid cell multiplication and enlargement in the host is caused by the stimulating effect produced by the dendrophagus and the effort on the part of the plant to overcome its enemy. The mold passes from cell to cell and produces in each new cell the same effects as in ihe one from which it has just made its way.
After a period of growth the plasmodium works to the outside of the gall and fruit is produced upon the outer surface. The fruiting bodies are almost spherical,


of a dark orange color, and contain large number of spores. These spores, under favorable conditions, give rise, once more, to the active plasmodium.

HOW THE DISEASE SPREADS.

If a few infested trees stand in the orchard, it may be carried from tree to tree while cultivating. A gall or portion of a gall is broken from a diseased tree by the passing cultivator and carried on to the next. Perhaps the trunk of this may be slightly injured in some way and the disease gains an entrance. It may possibly in some cases spread from contact of affected roots, and we must not forget that the spores can be readily blown about by the wind.
It is doubtless true, however, that the disease is most generally introduced into a grove by planting affected trees or trees which have upon them infectious material. One gentleman with whom I had some conversation regarding this disease told me that he purchased from a nurseryman a number of peach trees and found galls upon some of them. He destroyed the affected ones and planted the remainder. To-day there is plenty of crown gall among his trees. This is, . believe, the way inwhich the disease is only too frequently introduced, and an infested nursery from which trees are sold can be considered nothing less than a mengce to the peach industry of the country.

OTHER TREES AFFECTED.

The disease affects the plum, prune, cherry, apricot, almond, apple, pear, raspberry, and probably other trees and shrubs. My attention was called to a







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


diseased rose bush not long since. Some distance above the ground there were excrescences which appeared very much like the crown gall and I was, I think, correct in pronouncing it that disease.

METHODS OF CONTROL.

These have in part already been suggested. Do not plant infested trees or knowingly plant those which have been in contact with infested ones. Nurserymen who have the best interest of the State at heart will not sell diseased or doubtfully healthy trees. Trees should not be sold from an affected lot and certainly no honorable man will place upon the market trees showing the disease, and certainly no wise fruit grower will plant them.
Such trees should be burned; old diseased trees should be dealt with in a like manner. They are general unprofitable and must simply be regarded as a menace to their healthy neighbors. I do not deem it advisable to plant diseased ground again. If it is desired to treat the trees, and it may be a good policy, if they are still vigorous and but slightly affected, they may in some cases be made to serve some seasons of usefulness if treated in the following manner: Carefully cut out the galls down to clean healthy wood. Cover the wound with a paste made as follows: Take four pounds bluestone (sulphate of copper ' ). 2 pounds sulphate of iron, 9 pounds of unslaked lime, or bluestone and lime, in equal parts, will likely answer as well. Slake the lime, mix with it the bluestone and sulphate of iron in a finely pulverized state. To the mixture thus formed add sufficient water to reduce it to a paste.


PECAN LEAF BLIGHT.

It has always been stated that the pecan has no fungous enemies. During the last year, however, I have observed that the leaves of young pecan trees were affected by a disease to which I have given the above name. Several correspondents have also written me regarding it, and have enclosed specimens. I have not observed that it is injurious in any marked degree to old trees, but it has done considerable damage to nursery stock and to young trees recently set out. So far as I am aware, this disease has not before been reported.
The disease is characterized by the browning and withering of the leaves. At first small brown areas are noted. These become larger and eventually embrace the whole leaf. Trees affected by the disease make no progress.
The disease is caused by a species of cercospora, which I believe to be Cercospora Halstedii, E. & E. At least, it corresponds in nearly all particulars with that species. The spores of the fungus are borne upon conidiophores on the diseased spots. When examined under the microscope they are seen to be hyaline in color or somewhat smoky and are club shaped. They are divided into three or four cells, each cell being capable of germination. The conidiophores upon which the spores grow are darker in color than the spores, being quite brown. The spores when ripe are blown about by the wind, and, falling upon the leaves, produce again the disease.

METHODS OF CONTROL.

If the trees are small, they can be conveniently sprayed with Bordeaux mix-







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


fruit need not be expected frorn affected plants.
The disease is caused by a fungous parasite, Sphaerella fragariae Jul) Sacc. Two kinds of spores are produced; those commonly known as summer spores are born upon conidiophores, which are produced in tufts. These are to be found upon the discolored areas. The other spores are commonly called winter spores and are produced in small spore cases called perithecia. Both kinds of spores serve to spread the disease, and the latter (those produced in the perithecia) are useful in carrying the disease through unfavorable periods. The disease exists upon the strawberry plant throughout the whole year in Florida, so that winter spores can scarcely be considered as necessary to its continued existence in the State.

METHODS OF CONTROL.

Two or three different methods have been recommended for the control of this disease. For old plantations, some writers have recommended the burning over of the crop. This, however, is not feasible, after the plants commence to bloom or are making growth previous to the blooming period. In small beds the diseased leaves should be cut off when first noticed, and if a little attention be given in this way it is not likely to give much trouble. In larger plantings, however, this is not feasible, and these should be sprayed. The results of my experiments at the Experiment Station this past season have been very satisfactory. In October forty-five different varieties of strawberries were planted. The leaf spot disease soon made its appearance and was allowed to run its course


ture, which will keep the disease in check. They should be sprayed just when the young leaves are coming out, and at least twice afterward at intervals of two weeks. The fallen leaves should be gathered and burned. By carefully following out this line of prevention, there will be no difficulty in holding the disease in check, as it is not of a serious nature, though when left to itself it causes a very considerable amount of damage.

STRAWBERRY LEAF SPOT.

The leaf spot disease of the strawberry must be regarded as the most serious fungous diseases of that crop in our State. In fact, it is the only fungous disease at present known to the writer which causes any amount of damage to the plant.
The disease affects the foliage and the first marks of its presence is the appearance of minute, purplish spots upon the leaves. These spots gradually enlarge and change in color, becoming a light gray in the center, but the periphery remains purple in color or with the inner edge shaded into brown. The spots are ,of different sizes, some are as much as three-quarters of an inch in diameter, though frequently a number of them coalesce, forming blotches of irregular sha and of considerable extent. In the natural process of the disease the substance of the leaf is destroyed. It becomes withered, brown and at length dry and dead throughout. If the season is in any wise unfavorable for the development of the plants, they are usually killed outright. If, however, this is not the case, the vitality of the plant is sapped, and the same quantity and quality of







PLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


in order to determine, if possible, the comparative resistance of different varieties of the disease. After having obtained results from that portion of the experiment, the beds were sprayed with Bordeaux, four pounds of copper stilphate, four pounds of lime to forty gallons of water. The first application was made on February 26, the second on March 8 and a third on March I& By the time the last spraying bad done its work the disease was completely checked and it was a difficult matter to find a leaf at all diseased in the whole patch. By May 14, however, it was noticed that the disease was making some slight headway, and the plants were again sprayed. It may be thought by some that Bordeaux mixture would be objectionable to the crop while fruiting, as the berries might be stained by its use; but on account of the habit of growth of the strawberry I do not think the objection has much weight. The ripened or partly ripened fruit is quite well protected by the leaves above, and as the spray is directed down upon the top of the plant, but little of it has a chance to reach the fruit and I have never been able to detect any staining when the crop was gathered. It is best, however, to make the application just after the ripe fruit has been picked. It may be of interest to make a few notes upon the relative resistance of different varieties to this disease.
Cobden Queen, Lady Thompson, McKinley, Improved Newnan, West Lawn, Aroma and Jesse were almost entirely free from the disease. Cloud, Pride of Cumberland, Howell's Seedling, Haverland and Earliest were slightly affected, while Murray's Extra Early, Mary Stu-


art, Seaford, Sample, Warfield, Parker Earle and Tennessee Prolific were very badly diseased. In fact, some of them were almost killed out.

PEAR BLIGHT.

The pear blight has been quite as common this year as formerly, although at Lake City the disease appeared to produce but little effect on the leaves and twigs. No fruit was, however, set on the trees, due to the destruction of the flowers by the blight. The pear blight is unfortunately very common in Florida. Hence it needs little or no de description. Shortly after the flowers have opened it will be noticed that the ovaries and pedicels have become black and this blackening extends to the fruit spur, the young leaves, and eventually down into the older branches. It usually takes, under average weather conditions, about one week and a half to reach the branch. Throughout the whole season the affected or diseased branches can easily be picked out. They are dead and the black dry leaves still remain attached to them.
The cause of this well known disease is a bacterium known as Bacillus amylovorus, Burrill. It is a minute, rodshaped organism, which develops within the tissues of the host. It is carried from flower to flower by honey-seeking insects. These gather honey from diseased and healthy flowers and as a certain number of the germs remain attached to their proboscis they are carried from one place to another. On the other hand it is doubtless probable that certain of the biting insects assist in some measure in disseminating the disease.







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


pear trees in a community. One man may give the disease careful attention, but unless his neighbor does likewise the insects will carry the germs from the diseased to the healthy trees, thus rendering his efforts in a large measure futile.

DISCUSSION.

Prof. Hume-I have touched but briefly u7pon a few of the common diseases which affect the fruit trees of the State. To go into the matter at length would be entirely too much. I would say in relation to this new disease of the orange, that it may be a new phase of an old enemy, and I would like some of the orange growers to take this twig and see if you ever saw it before.
Mr. Porcher-I would like to get Prof. Hume to give us, if possible, some information as to the foliage affected by this new trouble?
Prof. Hume-I am sorry to say, Mr. Porcher, that I have not seen the foliage
-nothing but those twigs. I have a suspicion that it is allied to the red rust. This came from Manatee county and was forwarded to me by Mr. Stebbins.
Mr. Baker-How far back does your investigation of this disease of the peach tree date?
Prof. Hume- I only started on it this present year, and have been working on it four months perhaps.


METHODS OF CONTROL.

It has been noticed time and again that a sappy condition of the trees accompanied by a vigorous, succulent growth is a condition extremely favorable for the development of blight. This condition should not be favored. Nitrogenous fertilizers should not be applied at all or only in limited quantities. Potash and phosphoric acid should be given in normal amounts. Cultivation should cease and it is best to plant the ground about the trees with Bermuda grass, leaving a circle of four or five feet in diameter about the tree from which the grass should be cleared away from time to time. The method of treatment outlined above, together with careful pruning, constitute the means of control. As soon as the blight has shown in spring, the twigs should be cut, and again in fall diseased branches should be taken out. They should be cut three or four inches below the line between the dead and living tissues, carefully removed and burned. This treatment has been given to one of the trees on the Station grounds. It was very severely pruned, but will, I believe, mature about one bushel of fruit. Others not treated have no fruit whatever.
If pear blight is ever to be brought well under control it will call for a united effort on the part of all those who have



















Mr. President and Members of the Florida State Horticultural Society:
As I am a young man in the pineapple business, I feel somewhat timid in presenting to this intelligent body a few of my thoughts on the pineapple disease called blight, especially since so many learned professors have been racking their brains to find the cause and remedy for this devastating malady.
But then, we should all be willing to be laid on the altar of criticism until this mysterious disease is fathomed.
In presenting our thoughts let us look into the anatomical or physiological structure of the plant, in a small way, before entering upon the disease proper. We notice at the base of the plant, after removing a few of the basal leaves, there are eyes for root sprouts something similar to the petals. The roots always start from these eyes and nowhere else, as there are no other places for them to start from. These roots grow long and slender like a shoe-lace, without any branches, absolutely, but are covered all along with fibrous feeders. These feeders are attached to the main lateral in a way peculiar to the pineapple plant, much like the slips and suckers growing on the main stalk of the plant, both of which have their origin in potato-like eyes. These feeders are as easy to detach from the lateral as the slips and


suckers are from the main stalk. In making this comparison, size considered thrown in.
I believe we all agree that the disease we call blight is a root trouble; that is, improper conditions of the roots. As these roots are not in condition to give the plant the proper food to sustain life, the plant turns yellow and dies. Now, I claim that anything causing the death of these roots will necessarily also cause this improper condition, and so they are unable to impart the life fluid to the plant, which causes this so-called blight, which merely means starvation, in my humble opinion.
And the causes for the death of the roots, you will readily see, might be many, such as worms or insects, moles, scuffle hoe, too much caustic fertilizer, too much or not enough of air around the roots, and the last I'll name, but not least by any means, stagnant water, which is more far-reaching than all the rest combined.
But this brings u! to the proper soil condition for a pinery, which belongs to the subject of pineapple growing; but I shall not touch upon that here, but confine my paper to this so-called blight. Cut a root off at the body of the plant; that root never starts again. Cut it off a piece from the plant; the remaining root may feed the plant to the extent of


Blight of the Pineapple.


BY E. N. BROWN, OF PUNTA GORDA.







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


its feeders left between the stalk and the point where the root is cut. But said root will never branch out and form new laterals to extend such root or lateral, like the orange, apple, or vegetable kingdom in general.
I have seen the feeders extend themselves several inches in length at the terminus of the roots, where roots have been severed, trying, as it were, to form new laterals, very much like Aesop's fabled jackdaw which swooped down and tried to carry off a sheep, to emulate the strength and flight of the eagle, and so became entangled in the wool. The farmer came along, clipped his wings, and taking him home, his children asked what kind of a bird it was. He replied, "To my certain knowledge, he is a daw, but he will have it that he is an eagle." So with the pineapple roots, it is impossible to make laterals from feeders, no difference how much they try-enforced by heavy feeding-to emulate the lateral. They will, to my certain knowledge, be feeders still, and nothing else.
This is a significant fact in studying the pineapple, and especially this disease called blight. For if many of these roots are cut the feeding capacity of the plant is injured, and if all the roots are damaged or cut off close to plant, that plant will die as sure as roots become damaged or cut, unless there are more eyes further up on the stalk to furnish new roots. And if the plant is of good size, the chances are mighty slim for enough roots to form to insure the plant proper nourishment to maintain growth already started, for new roots do not start only from these root eyes, and a large plant needs many roots for healthy


growth. And if a sufficient number do start out, the plant will be nearly, if not altogether, dead before enough feeding capacity is furnished to sustain life and a sufficient growth of the plant.
Then again, if there are more root eyes, the chances are the basal leaves have not been pulled off high enough to permit the growth of these roots; so they form what is called or commonly known as tangle root, and so are not permitted to give the plant any help. Hence deep setting may cause this so-called blight, for these lateral roots don't take kindly to deep setting. Deep setting will put these deep in the soil, while the natural place is very close to the surface where they can obtain plenty of air and warmth, which are absolutely necessary for good growth for this luscious fruit of the tropics.
Some may ask what is the remedy for this. In answer, I would say, for a medium to large plant,. there is practically no remedy. Better pull up and replace. But a small one may revive if the soil is removed, so that one can pull off basal leaves, which would permit these root eyes to put out new roots wherewith to feed the plant. But never by any means should the plant be pulled up to remove roots and to trim, which destroys all roots already started and feeding the plant, as these are absolutely needed to carry on the good work.
Now, I have presented my views. To me they seem reasonable, but to you maybe otherwise. If I have made any statements you don't agree with, give them a good breezing, which will be a benefit to all of us, by helping to unravel this mystery.














Ornamentals.



REPORT BY REV. LYMAN PHELPS, CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE.


The orange tree leads on the list of ornamentals. It is not only the queen of fruits, but it stands royally at the head of our ornamentals, as we closely examine its cell formation, so highly and beauitifully developed, or when we breathe its exquisite fragrance.
Citrus Aurantiun- is naturally a lowbranching tree, always graceful, with greenish brown bark, elliptical, ovate, coriaceous leaves of intense green, often with winged petioles and fragrant white flowers. The tree also is very longlived. It is also most prolific in fruit, hears a large globose berry of eight or ten membranous cells, which are packed with pulp of fusiform cells, distended with an acid refreshing juice.
I single out no one variety in this description, but include the whole family of citrus. There are as many differing tastes as people in this respect. I include the heavily laden kumquat, especially when worked on the bitter sweet as a stock, as well as the pomelo when doubly worked on the bitter sweet, first to the Messina lemon and then to the pomelo. This last combination was pronounced the most beautiful tree Prof. Van Deman saw during a protracted stay in Florida.
As in architecture, all ornamentation, to be truly beautiful, must be useful, so our most ornamental trees are our most


useful ones. I have met a score of tourists who literally went wild over a row of kumquat trees worked on a bitter sweet stock. I did not oppose their tastes. I once on a December day gave a dinner to a party of Ohio editors and their wives, in an orange grove tinder the shade of the trees; they plucked pineapples, cut roses, pulled oranges, drank orangeade and lemonade, but most admired the well laden kumquat trees.
I need not speak of the rose as the ornamental before which all other flowers pale. You know it. You all have your favorites. It is the flower that befits the christening, adorns the marriage feast and is in good taste at the burial obsequies. It should be in every garden as an ornamental.

THE PALM.

The Oreodoxa granate stands at the head. The tree is characterized by the petals being united at the base in the pistillate flowers. There are six species of tropical America, all handsome, with tall, smooth, robust trunk. Some of the species are very tall, reaching one hundred and thirty to one hundred and fifty feet in height, with small white flowers, and small violet to deep garnet fruit on the slender drooping branches of a large spadix.







FLORIDA STATE 11ORTWCULTUflAL SOCIETY


Oreodoxa regia, the royal palm, grows ninety to one hundred and thirty feet, and is found sparingly as far north as Florida.
The sabal palmetto we all know. We are pleased that the committee who decorated this hall so beautifully for us recognized it as ornamental. The cabbage tree, from its commonness, is not always appreciated.
Melanodendron integrifolium, the black cabbage, is a very grand tree, eighty or ninety feet in height, with symmetrical trunk crowned with strong composite leaves very much recurved.
The Oreodoxa granate has withstood


the cold, save in the Alaska-destroying blizzard of '99. It is by far the handsomest of its species, and the name freely translated means crimson glory of the mountain.
The needle palm is one of great beauty and symmetry for decoration. It is worthy of a place on all lawns.
Bigonia vanusta is a rampant growing tropical vine, with glossy dark-green foliage. It is the best of our tropicals in leaf and flower. It is a flame of flowers for fully two months~in its season. Its common name, flame urn, well describes it.


REPORT OF MRS. FLORENCE P. HADEN.


Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
The conditions in the extreme southern part of Florida are very different from the rest of the State. We have a great many trees and plants that have not been successfully grown in the open elsewhere. The committees on ornamentals of late years have confined themselves to trees and plants that stand frost. But as it has been shown that many tropical plants adapt themselves to moderate changes of climate, I will mention a few that are very ornamental and that would well repay the effort if they can be grown.
Several of our best fruit trees are as ornamental as most trees grown only for their beauty. The mango is a beautiful shade tree, remaining green all the year, as do the roseapple, canistelle, avocado, loquat, seagrape, tamarind, olive and others.
Among the purely ornamental trees,


the royal poinciana perhaps ranks first, especially when it is one gorgeous mass of scarlet flowers in a bed of fern-like leaves. Another handsome flowering tree is the geiger, but I do not believe it would stand much frost. Of course, the oleanders, hybiscus, the numerous foliage plants and crotons which grow so well in our section deserve mention and should he utilized, even where they require a little protection. The many stone fences in our rocky country would be beautiful if covered with vines, and there are a great variety that grow well. The Cherokee rose and other climbing roses, the sweet scented honeysuckles, the alamanda that always attracts attention from strangers, the star or wild jessamine and many others.
Mr. Davis, in Cape Florida, has made a specialty of palms, and his beautiful grounds show that he has chosen wisely. Of course, the most handsome of these







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


is the royal palm. On account of its usefulness, we plant more of the cocoanut palm, and are beginning to grow the date.
DISCUSSION.
Mr. Hubbard-It may be of interest to the Society to know of those palms which withstand our freezes. What appears to be the best of all is the Cocos australis. The foliage is similar to that of the cocoanut. During the 1894 and 1895 freezes it was not injured at all. The Sabal palmetto would show frozen spots on the leaves, which was also the case with the Phoenix sylvestris and the Phoenix canariensis. It is also interesting to note the California palms. A Washingtonia robusta on Mr. E. H. Hart's place, the trunk of which was twenty or thirty feet high, was killed out entirely in the 1899 freeze, and the Filifera filamentosa escaped. The fan palm I was speaking of is a Latonia borbonica, a Chinese fan palm. This was not killed out in the freeze,' but the leaves were all killed back. The needle palm, Chamaerops hystrix seen on the stairs, is said to be the only one of the Chamaerops, the European fan palms, found in America. Botanists first discovered it near Savannah. You will notice the needles about the base are six or eight inches long.
Mr. Phelps-It is the most brilliant green of all the palms, and its stem sometimes grows up four feet before it spreads out in the dark green leaves.
Question-What fertilizers are generally used to make such a success of bignonias?


Mr. Phielps-I used a fertilizer very much the same as I used on my orange trees, only I don't want one that has too much ammonia. The one that I use has 5 per cent of ammonia and 7 per cent. of phosphoric acid. This vine stands the sun very readily and does not require as much water as others. I do not use on any of these things any fertilizer that has organic substances; I use only chemicals. I do not put it into the soil; I put it on top of the soil, so that the rain will wash it in. I don't think I have stirred the soil at all during the past ten years among my bignonias.
Mr. Parmenter-I want to say a few words in a general way as to the great advisability of having in ornamentals as many as you can. From time to time I have studied Mr. P. J. Berckmans' catalogue, with the idea that what will grow in his vicinity will grow here, and I have noted down a few that have grown very nicely. One is the sycamore, and of all shade trees I think the sycamore is the best. I carried one home in my hand from San Mateo several years ago. I think it must be now sixty feet high. I have a Texas cottonwood which is ten years old, and it must be thirty feet high. It is recommended for a quick shade and for a quick shade it certainly fills the bill. I have a Japanese varnish tree. It is perhaps twenty feet high and has withstood all the cold and is perfectly hardy. The Carolina poplar is another very fine tree. These I speak of in particular; those that have succeeded and been very satisfactory. The Australian linden, I think, would succeed very well in FlIorida.



















Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Farmers sometimes grow a little weary of the oft-repeated lament over the destruction of the birds. There is no doubt that there has been a ruthless slaughter of plume birds, but some intelligent agriculturists who have given thought to the subject believe that man feeds more birds than he kills.
Let us take the continent as it was in its primeval condition. In the "starving time" of Jamestown Captain John Smith found no birds that he could use for food for his perishing colonists except a few water-fowl and wild turkeys obtained from the Indians. In the history of my native state, Ohio, 1 have read the writings of over fifty men describing pioneer life, and not one of them mentions any birds except wild turkeys and passenger pigeons. In Fremont's narrative he mentions no birds until he gets beyond the forests and emerges upon the plains, when he speaks of "millions of waterfowl," "flocks of screaming plover," "a supper of sea-gulls," etc. Arrived in California, he found "some pretty birds in the timber, and partridges, ducks and geese innumerable." Again, "Flocks of blackbirds announced our approach to water" (the San Joaquin river).
Every farmer has observed the lonesomeness of a great forest-only a mournful chirp at long intervals from


some solitary vireo or similar frequenter of the deep wo-ods. Only birds with strong bills like the passenger pigeon can feed upon the oak and beech mast; hence these birds practically monopolized the mighty forests; while turkeys and water-fowls occupied the streams and grouse the prairies. 'Therewere very few of those smaller, more obscure, but more useful birds, of which untold millions now wait on the footsteps of man. The showy, spectacular birdswhat may be called the stage properties of "the great sloven continent" as it stretched out waste and silent before the discoverers-have been extirpated; but the little friends of man, the insect destroyers, have been multiplied beyond computation.
For instance, take the bird called in the South the rice-bird, and in the North the bobolink. In the early history of the Carolinas and Georgia, before rice culture was introduced, they were comparatively scarce. Nowadays, on the rich feeding grounds of the rice fields, they have propagated like locusts. They become so fat on rice that when one falls a distance to the ground it bursts asunder if a match is touched to the body, it will burn. The rice-bird is not a friend of man in the South, but in the North it is; and in both sections it is uncommonly good eating. Man raises this bird al-


Qvikation Increases Bird Life.


BY S. POWERS, OF JACKSONVILLE.







FhORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


most as directly as he does the Leghorn.
Again, take the quail. In the vast piney woods and wiregrass belt along the South Atlantic and Gulf there is nothing for the quail. The mast is scarce and precarious, and needs a stouter bill than the quail's, and the wiregrass makes no seed. There is not a more hopeless region on the continent for birds. But man clears away the forest and plants corn, and after the corn there comes up a jungle of beggarweed, a rich legume (Desmodiurn tortuosum), densely covering the field, hiding the cattle out of sight and even the cornstalks. It covers the ground with millions of tiny beans which nourish flocks of quail and make Old Florida the sportsman's paradise in winter. These countless quail and many other birds all feed on the bounty of man.
Take the mockingbird, or the mocker, as Floridians affectionately call it. Primeval Florida had millions of parrakeets and other gay-plumaged, harshvoiced birds, fit companions for the stoic savage; but the sweet singer in its liumble dress, appointed to cheer the lonesome orange grower, remote in the piney woods, awaited his coming. When the orange groves were planted they took possession of them; they were satisfied and increased greatly. Many a night in May and June I have listened to their midnigfkt serenade, especially on moonlight nights, one answering another in some distant grove, in a widecircling chorus, a polyglot antiphone.
Then came the disaster of 1895. The mocker had seen the orange trees defoliated before, but it built its nest with cheerful confidence, thinking that the leaves would come and cover it from the :sun. But that spring, the saddest of


Florida's history, gloomy alike to man and bird, the leaves came no more. I had cut down my dismantled trees and one morning I stood on my veranda and watched the bewildered mockers, searching in a solitary palmetto, in the ivy at the chimney top, in the brush piles, for a place where they might build. They put a nest in a brush heap and laid their eggs, but the sun, beat down hot on it, and they quitted it in disgust. That was a lonesome, silent summer in Florida; but now the groves are growing up and the mockers are heard again.
The same with the shrike or butcherbird. Both he and the mocker delight in an orange grove. I believe that their number actually diminished that summer; that many of them raised no young because they had no homes, no orange groves.
In the wise economy of nature, man has destroyed the birds he did not need, but propagated those that were useful to him as consumers of the weed seeds and the insects that pillage his crops. The pigeons were excellent food, but they required the beech mast, and beeches grew on the richest land which man needed for his farms. The pigeons of England were once as numerous as in America, proportionately, but when the beechnuts were gone, as Gilbert White relates, they fell to eating turnips, which ruined the flavor of their flesh.
The grouse on the prairies were valuable for food, but few in number, for prairie grass produced no seeds.
The spectacular plume-birds of Florida are gone or rapidly going. Is it not just as legitimate to kill one bird for its plume as to kill another for its flesh? Their beauty pleases man and honors the Creator far more when displayed on the







FLORIDA STAIT HORTICULTURAL SOCIBTY


bonnet of a comely woman in the city than it does when wasting and rotting in the unpeopled swamps of Florida. More than that, these plume birds consumi the fish that Florida needs for food and for fertilizer on her thin, sandy soils. Whatever the Anglo-Saxon race does is right, for it is the nearest representative of the Creator on earth.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Butler-I would like to ask Mr. Powers why he don't stick to the text. He began with the influence of man upon bird life, and ended up with the influence of birds upon man.
Dr. Kerr-I generally have a great


deal of respect for what our Secretary says; and I thought he was an advocate for the protection of birds. His subject was the influence of man upon bird life. Not its protection; I believe he has not advocated that. The closing of his remarks would show that he was anything else but an advocate, and I quote what he says about the plumes looking so nice upon the ladies' bonnets. Now, I wish to say that the ladies of America are beautiful enough without the stolen embellishment of these beautiful birds. They don't require to be decked up with these things. Away with them! Leave the birds to float in the air, filling our hearts with the songs ofheaven for ever and ever.


Prof. Hume-I hoped to avoid the question because I have prepared nothing especially for the occasion. I started out nearly two years ago to give this subject some attention, and I still continue to work on it. In fact, I am making it one of the special lines of my investigation. I am very sorry that Dr. Curtis is not here, and would not like to say too much, because I might be trespassing on his ground. But the line of investigation that I am pursuing at present is that of top-working pecan trees. I am becoming more and more disgusted with the seedling pecan. I have no use for it and I have but little faith in the


statement regarding the pecan coming true from seed. I have not been able to get hold of any nut from a pecan tree that is just like the nut that was planted. I have gone through a number of the groves when they were in fruit and when I find a tree giving nuts no larger than the tip of my finger, I am pretty nearly in a state of mind to ask the owner to cut it down immediately, and there are hundreds of trees that bear nuts of that description. They are little larger than chinquapins. All sorts of opinions are .brought forward against budded or grafted pecans, but to my mind they have no superior. Why a pecan should


Pecan Culture.


A DISCUSSION.







FLORIDABTATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


not bear as well as any other tree when they are budded is a question I cannot understand. Some bring forward the statement that the grafted orange is not long-lived, and so they say it will be with the pecan. Men who make that statement don't know what they are talking about. Then again if you bud the tree and then transplant it, it will not grow well. Top-working can be done as well on the pecan as on a plum, peach or any other tree. The methods by which it is accomplished are three in number.
The cleft graft is probably the most successful for top-working. The work has to be done in Florida between the middle of February and the first week in March. I would run down as closely as possible to the commencement of growth. Of course, if you have a large number to work over, you cannot leave it off until the last three or four days. The budding is principally of two forms, or one with a modification of it. The common form is the annular method. The budding should be done between July and August, and I believe by giving this matter attention they can be very successfully worked over to a new variety, and I believe it would be very profitable.

PECAN ON HICKORY STOCK.

Mr. Fairbanks-I would ask what is your experience with grafting the pecan to the hickory?
Prof. Hume-I have in mind a large grove of hickory trees where it is being carried out, but I cannot speak of the result.
Mr. Fairbanks-I have bad experience of grafting the pecan into the hickory. So far as the graft itself is


concerned, and not the growth of the pecan on the hickory, there is no question of success. There seems to be a natural adaptation between the two. If we can successfully graft the pecan into our young hickories, we have a source of income which is well worth looking into. So far as the actual fact is concerned there is no question on that point. If the graft grows on the hickory, I do not see why the fruit should not be as good as any other tree which is grafted. Although I don't know the result, still I see no reason.
Prof. Hume-I did not refer particularly to the quality of the nut, but to adaptation of that stock. I don't see why it can't be successfully done. The pecan and the hickory are as closely related as the sour and the sweet orange. We have the different varieties of hickories which belong to the same genus and are very closely related. While we can graft and work the pecan upon the hickory successfully, I believe it will never come into favor with the nurserymen, for it is easier for them to get pecans for stock.
Mr. Porcher-I would like to ask Mr. Fairbanks what is known as to the results of grafting the hickory, such as is grafted to the pecan. As I understand it is usually scrub hickory, which very seldom attains beyond a certain size, and in a few instances they grow for a time and then stop.
Mr. Fairbanks-The hickories are in character equal and otherwise the same.
Mr. Cooper-I grafted some hickories this spring, got a specially fine variety from Orlando, and there was a row of young seedling hickories on that place. I got only four grafts and we had a very dry spring, but I spared no care and the







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


nuts were very fine. Of the four grafts that I inserted into the roots, they are not very large, but they were some of them three or four feet apart, and there was only one of those grafts that tried to live. A little later, about the first of March, I had a seedling pecan that is only four or five years of age, and I took off grafts just previous to the budding out and tried four more of those hickory seedlings, and I have not got one to live. I would like to ask Professor Hume in regard to this budding. It would be difficult to get limbs low enough. Would you saw the tree off or would you head the branches back?
Prof. Hume-I would prefer to leave the stubs of branches and let them come out.

GRAFTING AND BUDDING.

Mr. Griffing-When we started in the pecan business we tried grafting and we got very few to live. After a good deal of experimenting we gave up the grafting. In July and August we have found out that budding is most successful. Year before last I had fully 50 per cent. of our buds to grow, and we are very much in favor of budding. All the way through we find the percentage is very much higher.
Mr. Gaitskill-I have had some experience with the hickory and had fine success with grafting. It was as easily done as anything I have ever done. I had no trouble at all.
Mr. Hart-Mr. Adams, the former President of this Society, years ago had a good many sprouts come up in his grove, so he put grafts into them. I don't know whether he did any budding or not. The trees are scattered over his


grove, the result of that grafting. The trees when I saw them a few years after were full of nuts, and those nuts, according to his taste-and he was a very tasty man-he considered better than almost any he had ever eaten. They seemed to be exceedingly fine. They were not very large, but twigs were as large as the ordinary pecan scions then, and as soon as I was allowed to go home from the court I took some with me and cleft-grafted them into the hickory with great success. A year ago in February I took a scion from one of them and cleft-grafted it a little below the ground. They made a growth one of about seven and one about eight feet, and had , several branches from two to four feet long; made a most remarkable growth. It seems to me that one of the best ways is to cleft-graft below ground. There are a number of trees on the Halifax river that were grafted on the hickory. They grew very successfully.
Mr. Wiley-I have had some little experience this spring in grafting both the pecan and hickory, and I found'that wherever I grafted under ground, the success is very much better. Very unfortunately, this spring I have lost over 50 per cent. of my grafts on account of dry weather. Between the first and middle of March they had started to grow beautifully, but when this dry weather set in I think I have lost over 50 per cent. of them. I have done very little grafting until this year. I would like to know if there is any member of the Society that has had any experience this season in grafting.
Mr. Gaitskill-My grafting this year was usually under ground, and my success was very poor. I don't claim that this result is conclusive. I have laid a







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


portion of the blame to the dry spring. Heretofore I have always taken the precaution to mix up a clay putty, and after inserting the graft I applied clay, and if the season was dry I applied Spanish moss, and this year I did not take that precaution. So I have no reason to blame the weather. At the same time I took such trouble with the insertion I expected better results. I had much better results in the same soil with the persimmon.
Mr. Taber-Success or failure in grafting the pecan depends very largely upon the weather that ensues. If the ground is moist there is very little danger of any natural loss; at least, success is practically insured. But if the weather turns very dry and the cions dry out, which they will do, the loss will be heavy. A gentleman who had grafted some pecan seedlings had a method that was quite interesting to me. He cut off the limbs anywhere from an inch to an inch and a half in diameter and inserted cions well waxed over, and the next thing he did was to fill a bottle of water and tie it on the stub of the tree. Wrap the cion with one end of a cloth and keep the other end in the bottle of water. Capillary attraction keeps the cion wet and prevents drying out.
Mr. Butler-I grafted a citrus tree and found by putting a jelly glass over it it did much better.
Mr. Mann-I have about forty seedling pecan trees. I planted the nuts


some six or seven years ago and they now range from four to twelve feet high. Last fall I was very much surprised to find the limbs all cut off. Looked as if someone had taken the clipper and clipped off the ends. I picked up the limbs and on close examination I saw that there had been an insect at work. I remember that I had heard that that was one of the ways which insects have of propagating themselves, by cutting off the limbs, and I did not know of any other way than to gather up all those twigs and burn them.
Prof. Hume-I would simply state that what Mr. Mann did was the best and the only thing to do. The egg is laid toward the top (?) of the twig and then the insect walks down a short distance and cuts off the twig.
Mr. Mann-Is there any way to prevent his work before we find the limb cut ?
Mr. Cooper-I would just say for the benefit of this gentleman that five years ago I put out about a hundred very fine pecan trees. They were seedlings and bore fine fruit, but that little insect would cut off the twigs. I got my foreman, got a cane rod, wrapped moss around it, sent out a man very early in the morning and burned them off. We have headed them off in that way, so they don't cut them at all. Take this moss with oil on it, not too much of a fire,, and you will stop that work.













A Grape Experiment Station.


BY H. VON LUTTICHAU, OF EAR LETON.


Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
This report will be confined to the experiment vineyard I have in charge for the Department of Agriculture, Division of Pomology.
I leave to the other members of your committee to report on grapes in general.
The object of the Department is to find, if possible, some varieties of Vitis vinifera that can be recommended for general planting and that may prove a benefit to the State.
We cannot say that the grapes we are growing now in Florida, American or hybrids, are satisfactory. If we want a grape for market outside the State we must have one that comes as near as possible to the hothouse grape; for that we have to go to Vitis vinifera. Two years ago the Department invited me to take charge of an experiment vineyard or grafted Vinifera varieties to be established on my place at Earleton. Should I accept, the possible benefit to the State was apparent, and personally it could not fail to be of interest to me, as I have always been interested in the culture of the grape.
Early in March two years ago I received about 500 vines of about 125 varieties, all grafted on Vitis riparia and Vitis rupestris. To attempt to grow Viniferas on their own roots is useless;


they will invariably die in a year or two. Vitis riparia and Vitis rupestris are the only suitable stock for Florida. Our own native wild bunchgrape, a Southern Aestivalis, is also not suitable. The very close trimming necessary to produce the best fruit of Vitis vinifera does not agree with any aestivalis roots; it strengthens Riparia and Rupestris, but weakens all Aestivalis.
The vines arrived in poor order, poorly rooted; naturally there were losses, twenty per cent. perhaps, which were replaced by the Department the following year. They were set out in proper vineyard form, a stake of fence-rail size and two pounds of blood and bone to each vine. Clean culture, in fact, extra good culture, was given all the time, and by fall the vines completely covered the five-foot stakes and hung down to the ground. No disease whatever.
During the following winter a trellis of three wires was built, the vines were cut back to one or two good eyes and again fertilized with about two pounds of blood and bone. I had the most luxuriant growth on these vines I ever saw; they covered not only the trellis, but the ground as well.
They were sprayed with Bordeaux mixture about every ten days; the leaves remained perfect until fall, the wood ripened to the end. January last a







FLORIDA STATE BORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


fourth wire was added, and all vines of the first planting were trimmed to fruiting spurs, the best and only principle for Florida. All my vines begin their spurs ten inches from the ground; to get them depends on the management of the spring growth the year before, which naturally is all-important, in fact, the foundation of the vine.
Each vine received about April I two and one-half pounds of blood and bone and potash, and at this writing they have again covered the four wire trellis, and with very few exceptions are full of most


promising fruit. Spraying is done every ten or twelve days, depending much on the weather, and will be kept up until fruit shall begin to ripen. By the end of June I shall be able to present to anyone the finest collection of ripe Vinifer a grapes ever seen in Florida.
Still, no variety could yet be safely recommended; but at your next meeting I shall be able to name some varieties that can be planted with a fair chance of success-if grafted on Vitis riparia or rupestris only.


GRAPES, FIGS, KAKI.

By W. D. Griffin, of the Committee.


Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Very little interest is manifested in any kind of fruit growing for commercial purposes, outside of the citrus family, by this Society; and for this reason many of the meetings have been of very little value to some of the members in the northern and western part of the State.
The subject of grapes, figs and kaki will, no doubt, be of interest to some of the members of the Society, as fruits for home uses at least. We try to have a few of all the varieties we grow in fruiting, which amounts to the same thing as the average grower having a few for home use. In grapes we have quite successfully fruited all varieties of the Muscadine class, and believe them perfectly at home in any part of Florida. The Thomas is the earliest with us by about ten days, and is about the best for eating ,out of hand. This is closely followed by


the Scuppernong, which by many is considered best of all. Tenderpulp is valuable for canning. The James is comparatively new and is a very large, finelooking fruit that sells well in local markets; is also of fair quality, but in my estimation not up to either Thomas or Scuppernong. It ripens later and lasts longer. We have had James until frost.
We have also succeeded ingettin '9 very fine specimen bunches of most of the trellis varieties that we have tested, but find they must be on thoroughly well drained land of good quality. Ives, Concord, Niagara and Moore's Early are the most easily raised, but with special care we have raised as fine DAlawares as I ever saw.

FIGS.

My experience with figs has bee.n mostly with the native varieties, of which






FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


Celestial, Brown Turkey, Lemon, Green Ischia and Brunswick are leading sorts. These all do well in our part of the State, but I consider Celestial the most valuable, as the tree seems to be hardier, and it is the most prolific and regular bearer. The fruit though small is very sweet and excellent for preserves. Old fig trees will stand much more cold than young ones. I have noticed in Jacksonville that very few trees that were five to six inches or more in diameter were killed by the '99 freeze, while all smaller ones were killed to the ground. I think it will pay to bank all fig trees, at least in North Florida, quite high in winter, as it is possible to save enough of the tree to make fruit the following season, even if the top does freeze.
We are experimenting with about thirty varieties of figs, mostly from California, some of which promise fruit this year, and we are in hopes to be able to increase our list by finding something of larger size and more hardy. In my opinion, the dampness in Florida would make it as impossible to dry figs, as we are used to seeing them on the market, as it would be to cure raisins; but if we can succeed in producing an abundance of fine fruit I believe there will be great possibilities in canning, also in fresh fruit in near-by markets.

KAKI.

The kaki or Japan persimmon is a grand fruit for home use, and also has considerable market value, as they are found in all our large fruit markets in their season, and practically all of these are raised in Florida. A friend of mine has shipped them to England, and reports that they were received in fairly


good condition and sold well. On the strength of this he has planted an orchard of about 2500 trees, using Hyakume, Hachiya and Tanne Nashi. He does not expect to market them all in England, but will give that market a thorough trial. He has had good success in our Northern markets.
The right soil for persimmons is quite an important factor, for while the native persimmon seems to thrive in almost any kind of place, I have noticed that the Japanese varieties on it do not last long on wet or heavy soils, while on well drained, sandy soil they last much better, lit is my opinion that the best soil for them is the high, sandy land of which there is an abundance in Florida, and there is no objection to planting in old fields.
For home use there is no variety of more value than the Zengi. The most of its fruit is good while hard, and improves as it gets soft, until it is as delicious as a persimmon can get. It makes the best tree, and is the most prolific and regular bearer. The Hyakume. Hachiya, Tanne-Nashi, Yemon and Okame are the favorite market sorts. The Costata, Tsuru and Triumph are good late varieties, but must be thoroughly ripe, in fact so soft that they will hardly hold together, before they are good to eat.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Bradt-I would like to ask what success, if any, there has been derived from shipping persimmons?
Mr. Embry-Mr. Stevens told me that he had applications for many more than he could supply, at advanced prices.
Mr. Bradt-I have made an effort to







FLORIDA RTATB HORTICULTURAL SOUBTY


cultivate them, and succeeded, but they did not keep any time at all, and unless I find some way to cure them I should consider it a total failure.
Mr. Pierson-Did the trees hold-the fruit well ?
Mr. Bradt-They have ivot fruited heavily as yet. They don't mature all at once. Last year they bloomed for an extended time. This year they seem to be blooming all at once. I had several trees that I was watching very carefully, and they promised a very nice crop, but during the rainy season their fruit-dropped and 1 was wondering if it was usual, or if others had better success.
Mr. Parmenter-I would like to know what experience anyone has had in shipping Niagara grapes?
W. A. Cooper-It is so long ago I almost forgot, and I wish I had. I don't ship them; don't stand shipping at all. They fall off the stem. When they get to Cincinnati or New York, you lift them up, and the grape stays in the vessel while the stem comes tip in your hand. The only thing I can say is, don't.
Mr. Embry-I have had some experience in the shipping of grapes, and it was a success. Sold them at $2 a crate, and have also shipped to St. Petersburg and made a success.
Mr. Cooper-We shipped a carload of very fine ones to Chicago to the World's Fair; sent a gentleman on to represent us, and be was to sell them. We were


going to ship him a car every day or two. He got there, thought the market was very favorable indeed to handle grapes, and he was a little stiff about it with the commission men; was going to handle those grapes himself. -I had a hundred pounds that I shipped and got back twenty-two cents in stamps for my share. Five of us went on a note in the bank to pay the freight on those grapes and to ice theni and we had that note to pay. That was my experience with Niagara grapes.
Mr. Porcher-The trouble with the Niagara grape is that it is too early. It comes into the market when the market is full of all other kinds of fruit. The consequence is that it is practically impossible to sell them. I have been North and seen them arrive, and they literally could not bring the freight charges, and yet that grape, coming in later, if it could be induced to hold on to the stem, it would be sold at very good prices.
Mr. Embry-I would like to say that Salem is a very desirable grape to grow.
Question-What of the Delaware and the Catawba?
Mr. Embry-It will take a Delaware vine four years to get up to the size of almost any other vine of two years. The Delaware grape is a good grape, but I would hardly recommend it, and for any near-py market I would say that the Ives was preferable. In quality the Delaware cannot be beat.




















. . The Nominating Committee, consisting of F. D. Waite, Dr. George Kerr and Cyrus W. Butler, presented a ticket to the Society, re-electing all the old officers.
C. T. McCarty moved that a formal ballot be dispensed with and that all the old officers be declared re-elected. Carried.
(See list in front pages of the book.) Dr. Kerr said the situation was truly appalling to him, as he was one of the committee, and the others dragooned him into nominating himself for re-election.
President Taber made a graceful acknowledgement, and the Secretary said he would simply say "Ditto."
Treasurer Hart returned thanks for this renewed evidence of confidence.
Vice-President Cooper said he was


surprised last year, and now he was more surprised than ever.
Chairman Phelps said he felt it a high honor to be elected to the same position fifteen years consecutively.
Mr. Hubbard said the Society had done a great work, and he had felt it an honor to serve on the committee so many years. The Society still has a great work of education to do, and he illustrated this point by a story of an ignorant old man who pointed out the ladybug feeding on the scales and said to him, "Mr. Hubbard, you ought to kill them there lady-bugs. They breeds the scale. You ought to kill every one of $em."
Mr. Painter made a humorous speech, punning on the names of the other officers.


SELECTION OF NEXT PLACE OF MEETING.


C. W. Butler-A citizen of Tampa expected to be here and extend to you a cordial invitation to hold your next meeting there, but the party did not arrive. This morning and last night so many members and especially those from the East Coast expressed a desire to go


to the West Coast that we concluded to put forward the invitation from Tampa for the next meeting. Looking over the situation as a whole, Jacksonville has done nobly by us, and St. Augustine is to me the most delightful place I have ever visited. But in the language of a


Official Business.


ELECTION OF OFFICERS.







PLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAb SOCIETY


member whose words bore weight, this question is a business one and should be settled upon a business basis. T'he object of the Society should not be forgotten and the greatest good of the greatest number should be considered; and there seems no place that so much needs your aid as the part around Tampa. The seeds of good you could sow there would be very great, and with the encouragement that comes from the presence of the Society I doubt not we should get new members. I would be willing to guarantee seventy-five. I am more than sorry Mr. Gillett was not here, because in my feeble way I am not able to present the situation, but I ask each member to think of this matter and to accept his better impulses.
Mr. F. D. Waite and Mr. J. C. Carter supported Mr. Butler in his invitation.
Mr. Painter-I move that we meet at Tampa.
Mr. McCarty-1 believe the question is before the house now. Mr. Chairman, there is probably no necessity to say much, but there are some phases of this matter that ought to be placed before the members of this Society in order that we may all understand each other, in order that harmony may prevail now and in the future.
Standing in a hall so beautifully decorated as this has been by the hands of the hospitable people of St. Augustine, and taking this vote, it might be enough to give them the impression that we do not appreciate their hospitality. There never was a meeting where we have enjoyed ourselves more, where there has been more cordiality and hospitality extended to us, and in parting with them this year we wish to assure them that


they have a warm place in our hearts. No other place in the State was better able to entertain us in an emergency like this. They had everything necessary. They have done so nobly we wish to extend to them the token of our regard and appreciation.
Last year I, in conversation with many members of this Society, reached the conclusion that the time had arrived when this Society should have a permanent home. When we should not be a jumping Association from year to year running around the State. We believe that we should have a permanent home where we could have a hall and a library and many other things that this Society needs. Events have transpired that have swept these things away, that have dashed that for the present from the lips of Jacksonville. I wish to say this in favor of our meeting in Tampa, that we appreciate that magnanimity with which they submitted to defeat last year. There is no nobler trait in the human race than to take disappointment gracefully. We pay them that tribute now and if they ever had a sore spot in their hearts, we hope that we are forgiven. Further than that, I wish to say this with reference to our future, and when I say this I speak not only for a large number of the individual members of this Society, but for some of its ablest members, we do not relinquish, in going to Tampa this year, the position that we took last year, that Jacksonville offers the proper place for the permanent home of this Association.
With these few statements, I take pleasure in seconding the motion that the meeting be held at Tampa next year.







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


Mr. Amsdem-This year we had only one day in which to purchase our tickets and we had to start on that day.
Mr. Taber-In regard to the rate itself, the one-cent-a-mile rate is not only a special rate, but a very special rate. I don't know of any other society in the State that has secured that rate. It is a rate that the railroads are very chary about giving to any society. One fare and a quarter for the round trip is as good a rate as any other society gets. Some years ago Mr. Healy, through his influence, obtained the special rate, and we have had that rate every year since. The railroads have very kindly recognized our position and accorded us that rate ever since. This year they accorded the cent-a-mile rate asked to Jacksonville, and it was announced just the day before the Jacksonville fire that notice had been received from Mr. Richardson, by the Secretary stating the rate had been accorded. Of course, that fire changed altogether our place of meeting, and we then had to go to them and ask them to put into effect for St. Augustine the rate that they had made us to Jacksonville and they did so. Now, in relation to the time of getting to our destination, I would say that when Jacksonville was decided upon as the place of meeting, the representatives thought


that the date set was sufficient to get the people into Jacksonville before the evening meeting, and it was for almost every one in the State. And when we got them to change our place of meeting to St. Augustine we did not ask them to give us more time. Perhaps we should have gotten it in that way, but at that time in Jacksonville the railroad officials and all other officials were all up in arms. There was that terrible calamity upon them and we did not ask them any more than we could help.
The vote for Tampa was unanimous.
Mr. Butler-If you derive one-half the benefit that I do or one-half the pleasure from the entertainment the next year, I believe you will be well satisfied. I should have stated that, in regard to the railroad fare, one cent a mile has been promised already.
Mr. Taber-I think I am safe in saying that we can obtain a longer time during which the rate will be applicable.
Dr. Inman-In behalf of Polk county, I extend you our thanks. I think it is a wise move; 1 think it will conduce to the growth and the health of the Society and I think that we can give you one hundred new members from Polk, DeSoto, Manatee and Hillsborough counties during the next year.



















If the members of this Society will come with me I will conduct them through the streets of Jacksonville to the ruins of a certain house. In the middle there is a little heap of yellow ashes, and in places you can still trace the outlines of books and decipher some letters. Take up a handful of them and they have a very soft and velvety feeling. There is a large amount of good brain matter in those ashes, but our enterprising fellow members who manufacture fertilizers would not pay twenty-five cents a hundred for them for use in their goods. That little heap of yellow ashes is all that remains of the voluminous records and reports of this Society.
I happened to have a few copies of the reports in my_ office. Mr. W. S. Hart, Mr. E. S. Hubbard and Dr. J. M. Hawks have kindly supplied some missing numbers, and with a little further assistance I can reconstruct the file.
On behalf of the Society, I wish to return thanks to several gentlemen for their zeal in securing new members by a personal canvass. Prominent among these are Messrs. F. D. Waite , James Henry, E. S. Hubbard, E. V. Blackman and Rev. Lyman Phelps. Several years ago the Executive Committee authorized the Secretary to appoint such deputies to conduct personal canvasses, and


experience has certainly demonstrated the value of the practice.
Up to date I have received 28o fees from annual members, and our list of life members has been increased this year by nine recruits, making 24o annuals, 49 life members, and :2 honorary.
RECEIPTS FOR THE YEAR.
Back numbers sold . $ 86 25 Membership fees . 280 00 Life members . go oo Donation by Amos Wakelin . 2 00

Total receipts . $458 25
EXPENSES.
Postage and stationery . $24 00 Printing . . 28 6o Addressing envelopes . 1 00 Telegrams . . 1 25 2io badges . io oo Drayage and freight . 1 00

Total expenses . $ 65 85 Balance paid on Secretary's salary . . $44 25 Retained for immediate use . 18 15

$128 25
Turned over to Treasurer Hart $330 00
STEPHEN POWERS,
Secretary.


Officers" Reports.


REPORT OF SECRETARY.







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAb SOCIETY


P. S. I have the pleasure of stating that, since the adjournment, President Taber has donated to the Society over sixty volumes of the back Reports, and other members have contributed a few. The Secretary will now be able not only to restore a complete file, but also to present to life members who may subscribe in the future nearly complete sets of our Reports. Of the first three years and the last two there is still a scant supply, however, and donations of these to the Society will be acceptable.



TREASURER'S REPORT FOR igoi.

1900. Dr.
May 3rd, to balance from last
Report . . $27730 Sept. 12, to Sec. Powers, Cr. on
salary acct . . 44 25 1901.
May 22, to Sec. Powers, cash. . 330 00

$651 55
Cr.
Aug. 2, igoo, by Sec. Powers,
draft No. ig . $244 11 Sept. 2, by Sec. Powers, draft .N O. 20 . 75 00 May 22, igoi, by balance in
treasury . . 332 44

$651 55
The Treasurer takes pleasure in stating further that he now has in hand the further sum Of $42.25 contributed by the members at this meeting for the relief of the sufferers from the great fire in Jacksonville.
W. S. HART,
Treasurer.


REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

The members of the Committee not present, by letter to President Taber at the time of the Jacksonville fire, authorized him to change the place of meeting at his discretion, under the extraordinary circumstances, and this action is now fully approved, and the Secretary is instructed to embody it in this report,
The Committee has held no other meeting since the last annual meeting in Jacksonville, and the members by letter authorized the Secretary to publish the proceedings, and approved the bills presented by him for this printing.
The Executive Committee held a full meeting at 8 a. m., May 23, igoi, passed upon and approved the annual reports of the Secretary and Treasurer.
LYMAN PHELPS, E. S. HUBBARD, E. 0. PAINTER,
Executive Committee.



REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LIBRARY.

Your Committee would report that they have received a cash donation of $20 from President Geo. L. Taber for the purpose of starting a library for the Society, and three donations of books. One of the donations was from Mr. W. S. Hart, and consisted of files of valuable horticultural and apiarian periodicals. The other contribution, deserving special mention, was made by Mrs.







PLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAb SOCIETY


Frances E. Manville, widow of A. H. Manville, who was for years an active member and officer of this Society, and was always foremost in good works for the benefit of the horticulturists of Florida. These books had been carefully preserved and labelled by Mr. Manville, and consisted of several standard works on orange culture, files of Insect Life and various horticultural magazines and last, but by no means least, an almost complete file of the Reports of the Department of Agriculture.
With the funds donated the Secretary purchased a small sectional book case


and had bound and placed in it a set of the bulletins of the Florida Experiment Station (presented by himself), two volumes of Semi-Tropical Florida and six volumes of Insect Life.
The outlay was as follows:
Book case . $12 00 Binding io volumes . io oo Putting lock on book case . 85


. $22 85
G. L. TABER, S. POWERS, W. S. HART, Committee.


Total . . . .


Having been appointed chairman of the Citrus Committee to prepare the first report it ever presented to this Society, I asked my co-workers. to assist in so framing that report as to constitute an enduring basis on which to build through future reports and resulting discussions, as comprehensive and up-todate a treatise on citrus culture as this Society proved itself capable of constructing. That the cumulative results of all the past work of that standing committee and other members, through discussing this branch of horticulture, have, in a measure, come up to my early


conception of what they should be, was lately impressed on my mind by the suggestion, from a non-resident orange grower, that a digest of the back reports of this Society would result in a muchneeded work on citrus culture, and one of far more value than could be hoped for from the pen of a single writer. A desire to assist in filling in the gaps that would necessarily occur should such a digest be made at this time is one of my excuses for presenting this paper.
In discussing the subjects of grafting and budding, I will do so from the standpoint of an orange grower in the hopes


Grafting and Budding.


Considered from the Standpoint of an Orange Grower.


BY W. S. HART, OF HAWKS PARK.







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


of saving time thereby, while yet meeting the needs of the greater portion of those of this State who require assistance in these matters.
In all this class of work the first thing to consider, after you have the stock to work on, is the variety or varieties you wish to propagate. If a nurseryman, you need more or less of all valuable varieties, but such men know their business, and need no instruction from me.
To the novice in the business and to those just entering it let me say, don't mix many varieties in one grove for market uses. Two or three at most are enough and put these in solid blocks. This would not be good advice to the pear tree planter, but with citrus fruits long practice shows it to be so. If many varieties are desir ' ed for novelty's sake, or for exhibition, etc., put them, a tree or two of a kind, in a block by themselves. Having decided, say in the fall, what varieties to propagate, cut your scions in fall or winter before the active movement of sap begins, in late January or in February. At this time the finest of scions can be cut in plenty. In March, April or May much nice growth must be sacrificed to secure a few poor buds, as nearly every well-developed bud has put out a sprout that is still too tender to use.

BEST BUDS TO USE.

In an emergency, however, as where it is the only chance of securing a much desired variety, almost any kind of bud, if rightly handled and the proper stock is found, can be made to grow. In such a case, buds that have already put out one or even two shoots, small buds from tiny growth, immature wood freshly cut, or


buds from the very tips of a scion, will give the skilled hand a hope of adding to his list of fruits. My choice for fall cutting is fairly matured wood of late summer or fall growth, showing well developed buds and thornless. Angular wood is not objectionable, but rank waterspouts, so-called, from the body of the tree should be avoided. Wood from a bearing limb is preferred by many, but I have little choice between that and wood from a thrifty tree of younger growth. Either one will give fruit as soon as it ought to, rightly handled. Cut the scion with a sharp knife, trim off the leaves immediately to prevent evaporation, then lay them on the orround in a shady place and cover with sphagnum moss, or put them in a box of old, partly rotted sawdust. In either case, place them where they will be exposed to the weather, and they will callus at the ends and keep in good shape for months.
From the apparent dormancy of winter until the blossom buds reach the size of turkey shot, cleft-grafting may be done. Here, from January to early March, is usually the best season for the orange.

WAX AND KIT.

For the work one needs a ball of grafting wax made of three parts rosin, two of beeswax and one of tallow, melted together thoroughly and then turned into cold water. When cool enough to handle it should be pulled like molasses candy until a light yellow color. A small lump of tallow to prevent the wax from sticking to the hands should be in the kit. A sharp saw, a thin-edged, strong knife, three or four hardwood







FLORIDA SPATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


wedges six or eight inches long and of varying widths, a light hammer or mallet and, if working near the ground, a stiff brush. Of course, a pair of hand pruning-shears should always be in such a kit as well as a small whetstone.

CLEFT-GRAFTING.

Cleft-grafting is especially useful in working over trees or sprouts from the root or trunk of injured trees of larger size, that range from three-quarters of an inch to three inches in diameter. It is also a good means of working over large tops by grafting limbs, as is done with apple trees. Where sprouts or limbs are grafted a part only should be worked, and the rest left until the grafts have made a fair leaf surface. It may be necessary to lop them by cutting partly off and laying down, but don't cut them away until the sweet top can take care of the root.
The stock or limb to be cleft-grafted is sawed off at a right angle to the course of the stock, shave the top smooth, then split it by driving the knife down into it through the middle, unless the stock is too large for this, in which case it can be split near one side or a saw cut can be made to receive the scion. The grain of many orange trees being quite crooked, it is sometimes well to drive the knife in at the side a little way before splitting the stock. This gives straight surface to hold the scion. Remove the knife and open the cleft with the wedge best suited to the size of the stock, allowing plenty of room on one or both sides for the sprig of buds. Now cut the scions to a wedge-shape that will fit the cleft, leaving the outer side a trifle the thickest, and with two buds above the


cuts. Slip these firmly into place, so that the cambium layer (the soft layers just under the bark) of stock and scion may come in contact as much as possible. If the scions are set at a slight angle with the stock, this contact is pretty sure to be obtained. Now withdraw the wedge, coat airtight with wax all cut surfaces, not forgetting the top of each scion, and the process is complete. This kind of grafting is especially successful in working kaki, pecans, grape and many other trees and vines at or below the surface of the ground. If well below, as is best with grape vines, no wax is needed. Banked with moist earth nearly to the top bud, after being tied with cotton twine to hold the p arts firmly together, they can be left without further attention, as the twine will rot off at the proper time.

CROWN-GRAFTING.

Crown-grafting is usually practiced with large stocks after the sap has become active in the spring, so the bark will slip easily. The tree is best cut off some inches under ground, the scion wedged by a long, slanting cut on one side, leaving two or three buds above, then pushed down under the bark at a point where its outline is concave. Were swelling or convex surfaces chosen the bark would crack and not hold the scion firmly. If the trunk is large, several of these grafts may be inserted so the top will spread from the ground. Moist earth is then packed to the scions, leaving only the top bud exposed. This method puts the junction of stock and graft, the weakest part, below the reach of cold, in trees too large to cleft-graft, so that if frozen to the ground they will







PLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


start growth from grafted wood. It also gives a surprising growth of wood and a quick return of the tree to a profitable bearing condition. In hot weather shade should be used to prevent the roasting of the grafts. A notable instance of the successful use of this kind of grafting was that of our late lamented President Di dley W. Adams, immediately after the freeze of 1895. The only drawback in its use for restoring groves of citrus fruits on sour stock is that it carried the sweet wood down where it is liable to attacks from foot rot on lands subject to that disease. It puts the tree about on a par with sweet seedlings in this respect. Foot rot (mal de goma) will often jump up a foot from the ground to reach sweet wood, that is, on resistant stock.
Crown-grafting can, however, be done at any height in sound stock.

SIDE-GRAFTING.

Side-grafting is the simplest of all the methods and is applicable to large wood at any time when the bark will slip sufficiently to allow of fairly successful budding. It is also often successful when budding is not. In the case of large seedlings or other trees to be worked over, side-grafts put in in the fall, left dormant until the spring and then started out by lopping the tops, will allow of a fine crop of fruit from the old top while the new one is being grown.
There is quite a knack in properly laying down the old tops, so as not to throw off the bark at the bud. To do this successfully, saw pretty nearly through the old trunk a little way above the graft, put a firm bearing against it a few inches above the cut, then pill] the


top over in a way to make a long split upward. It is surprising what a crop of fruit can be made, even on a shy bearer like the navel, through a wide, thin sliver connecting the top with the root.
After cutting, as above, cover the wound with liquid wax. I have given the recipe for this wax before, but it is good enough to bear repeating here: Melt one pound of rosin with two ounces of tallow, remove from fire and when slightly cooled add six ounces of alcohol and, last, one ounce of turpentine. Keep well corked in large-mouthed bottle with brush thrust through the cork.
The mode of side-grafting is to take well matured twigs, cut to a taper from one side, as in crown-grafting, except that I cut a little deeper at first, and then run out the rest of the way in a thin tapering tongue that will easily bend to the curvature of the trunk.
Small wood for grafts may not make as vigorous a first growth as larger wood, but it is easier to use and will soon make up in growth. A vertical cut is made in the bark of the stock about three-quarters of an inch long and slanting in the direction the graft is to take. With a slight twist of the knife the bark is started from the wood and the wedged part of the scion slipped under at an angle of twenty to fifty degrees from the course of the stock. If well done, there is little need of wrapping. If poorly done, wrap and then stick an orange thorn under the wrapping at each side of the scion to hold the bark close. After a good-sized top is made from the grafts the old top can be cut away.
Tongue, shoulder, lip, saddle and that class of grafting are in little use among orange growers. They are mostly






FLORIDA STATB HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


adapted to small stock where we use the shield bud, so I will not stop to describe them.

SHIELD BUDDING.

Shield budding is a process that allows of the rapid working of nursery or other small stock, and has in years past been the one in almost universal use in Florida for that class of work.
A very few are now grafting nursery stock to some extent and charging more for the trees so worked under the claim that they make more rapid growth.
Much of this budding being done close to the ground, it is an excellent plan to have a box arranged to serve as a seat and a tool-carrier combined. Mine is
-nade of three-eighths inch white pine except the top, which is seven-eighths and covers a little over half of it. It is 10x14x7 inches with two compartments and several sockets for scions, knife, pencil, etc., on inside, and for pruning saw and record book outside. The front end is tapered down to four inches high. My kit of tools include scions in a damp shot bag, budding knife, hand pruning shears, a ball of twine, a roll of waxed cloth, a small whetstone, a stiff brush, a pruning-saw, pencil and record book. I also usually have a small hammer and tin box of slim, wire nails, of assorted sizes, from half-inch to inch, to use in inarching whenever I see need of it. A person can bud with only a knife and ball of twine, but I have done a good deal of hard, steady work in badly cramped positions, and I have learned to make it as easy and convenient as possible.
It is important that the knife should be sharp. If flat on the tipper side and


rounded a little on the under, it works all the better.
Annular or ring budding is seldom practical on the citrus, but is found useful in working the pecan and some other difficult stocks.
It is done by simply removing a short ring of bark from a sprout and replacing it with one of like size having a bud upon it, from the scion. This should fit the wound nicely and be well wrapped.

PREPARING THE BUD.

Take the scion in your left hand. butt from you, holding it between forefinger and thumb, so that the bud to be cut is about over the middle of the palm. Holding knife blade at an acute angle with the scion, make a drawing cut from a little below the bud to about the same distance above. So holding and cutting prevents the knife from running with the grain of the wood, a smooth under-surface to the shield being very important. If the wood is full and round, an even shield shape with the bud near its center is cut. English horticulturists and some Americans take the wood out of the shield. This is not at all necessary.
A cross-cut is made through the bark of the stock and a perpendicular one. from the middle of that, running up or down as desired, the corners of the bark raised and the shield slipped under its full length. If the scion is angular or flat, the shield is cut with the bud at one side and it is slipped under the bark at one side of the perpendicular cut only. There are many odd notions as to slipping buds up or down from the crosscut, taking out the wood, burning the bud upside down to make low-topped







FbORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY


trees, etc., but equal success can be attained by any one of them, if one is trained so that it is the handiest to use.
The best buds are in the upper half of the stick, but these are often discarded because of being flat. If properly cut, they can be successfully used even to the terminal buds.
For wraps, bast, raffia, woolen yarn and many other things are used, but nothing is better for rapid work than cheap bleached cotton cloth torn into strips four inches wide and some yards long and wrapped about a straight stick a half-inch square and seven inches long, until a diameter of one and three-quarters to two inches is reached. Prepare several of these, then put them into hot grafting wax such as heretofore described, and let them soak until bubbles cease to form; they will then be saturated. Don't get the wax so hot as to burn the cloth. When budding unwrap six to twelve inches, according to size of stock to be worked, and tear it off, then strip it lengthwise as you need it, a wide strip for large wood, a narrow one for slian stocks.
Start wrapping at the bottom, drawing fairly tight. just below and just above the bud make a half turn in the wrap, that it may bind more closely, give the end a final rub with the thumb to make it tight and stick closely. Some wrap directly over the bud, thinking to keep out rain. I have not found this necessary.

WRAPPING AND UNWRAPPING.

In dry weather cotton twine makes fair wrapping material, but takes a little more time to fasten the end unless it is drawn into a downward cut in the bark.


One of the members of this Society suggested that the ball of twine be soaked in wax. This I did and have found it to work well through the past two seasons.
In ten days to three weeks, according to the condition of the trees, the buds will have "taken" and the wraps can be removed. If a non-elastic wrap like twine is used, this should not be neglected too long or strangulation will ensue. The top should now be cut partly off, cutting from the side the bud is on and a little above it, and bent down. The new bud now being the highest will be one of the first to push. All others about it should be kept rubbed off. This kind of shield budding can be done at any time when the bark of the stock slips easily. In working the orange, it is best done between March I and July I, or left until fall for dormant budding. If done in July or August there is great danger of causing a flow of sap that will drown out the bud and make a running sore for a time. Commencing in late September buds and side-grafts can be inserted to be left until spring before forcing out. This is a most excellent way of working citrus stock, as the dormant buds can be safely covered in with banking until time to force them to growth in February or March. A part of the banking can be removed for this purpose, but so left that it can be quickly used to cover the buds if cold threatens.
In preparing scions for cleft-grafting, usually one good bud is cut away. This can be utilized in what is called "winter budding." The shield is cut as for a summer bud, a smooth downward cut is made in a small stock in a way to leave a tongue of thin wood and bark, a little longer than the shield carrying the bud, the thickest part of the tongue being at







FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCINT11


the bottom. This tongue is cut off at a point that will come just below the bud when the shield is slipped down under it. The shield should have as much of its cambium layer in its upper two-thirds, in contact with that of the stock, as possible. Wrap the bud well and leave so until well healed in.

INARCHING.

Inarching is the process of grafting by approach. It is sometimes done to bridge a girdled place on a tree trunk and bring about a new connection between the cambium of the top and root. Since the cold of February, 1895, it has been practiced largely by orange growers in using the several sprouts that put up from the roots of frozen trees to brace and furnish an increased sap supply to the buds by inarching the former into the latter. Much is undoubtedly gained by this, provided the work is done low enough to allow of covering in the calluses with banking of earth in the winter. Where this was not done, it has often proved a source of weakness through the bark being loosened by cold at the junction.
There are several ways in use in inarching, the simpler ones being to make a cut in the bark of the bud, or surface that is to receive the sprout, as if to receive a shield bud, having the perpendicular cut above the horizontal one. Now cut off the sprout on a slant at a height that allows of its being slipped under the bark by entering at the cross-cut. When adjusted so that all the cut surface comes in contact with the peeled part of the trunk, nail it in place with a slim wire nail. This prevents its working loose on windy days, as it is apt to do


when wrapped only. They will usually heal in without wrapping, but it is often best to wrap them and stick an orange thorn under the wrapping at each side of the sprout. With a larger sprout the top can be bevelled from both sides, a cut made into the wood of the stock and this end fitted to it so that a lip comes down over and matches the outer bend, then nail in place and wrap.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Porcher-As to wax Mr Hart gave me a recipe which is of the highest value. It makes the finest wax I ever used; so pliable that it can be applied with a brush. The wax that is ordinarily used is composed of three pounds of rosin, two pounds of beeswax and one of tallow. Then take one pound of this, heat it hot, take it away from the fire and add three gills of alcohol; this makes a most perfect wax; so that the same
-vax that you use for other purposes can be tised for the finest work with the addition of three gills of alcohol to the pound
-a wax as smooth and fine as varnish.
Major Fairbanks-I would ask Mr. Hart whether he has found the spring or fall grafting the most successful in the long run?
Mr. Hart-I will say that I have never found spring budding unsuccessful until this year, but it has this year been unsuccessful in a great many cases. I don't think I see any difference as to the success of the two. Skilful bidders will succeed in the spring and the fall too. But I like dormant buds in the fall, and I think you gain by it, as you cTo it at a time in the year when you are more at leisure. In the spring you are busy packing oranges, working the groves,

PAGE 1

01 jfloriba Ztate 'Rorticultural Boctetp. 1901.

PAGE 2

I (C, <'N >0 0: I -. A' J U 5$ -<:4-Zr 7 >$ CS: sZ2zQ&>

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5 11c) K \Po ij VP~9VtJI14~ohI/ 0~Gto R. FAIRBANKS.. -,

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PROCEEDINGS OF THE FOURTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE Florida 5tate Horticlultural 5ucietf HELD AT ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA., MAY 21, 22 and 23, 1901. Compiled by the Secretary. PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY. D. LAND. FLA.: F. 0. PAINTER A COMPANY

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CONTENTS. O fficers .. .................. .... ................. ...... ......4 List of Members, Honorary, Life and Annual .... .... .... ........... 6 Minutes (giving all the events and transactions of the meeting in the order of their occurrence, but omitting papers, reports, discussions, etc., which appear on subsequent pages under topical heads).......... .ii M em bers P resent ...................... .... ....... ... .......... 15 O pening A ddress .. .................. ...... ..... ....... ........ 17 T he Society's R esponse .......... .... ...... ..... ....... ........ 17 President's A nnual A ddress ................ .... ...... .... ........ 18 Celery Culture, with Sub-Irrigation.......... .. .... ................... 25 Citrus Fruits from a Commercial Standpoint ................. ........ 29 The Florida Orangeca Discussion ........ ... ..... ..................33 Lettuce Culture Under Cover ................ ...... ...... ......... 45 Pineapples and Other Tropical Fruits......... .... ..... .. ............ 47 Protection, Cold W eater Cycles, etc.a Discussion ................... .52 Culture of Early Peaches .................. ...... .... .............. 6o Some Fungous Diseases ei Citrus and Other Fruits ...... .... .... ..... 64 B light of the P ineapple .. ................... .......... ...... ..... 71 Ornamentals .... ...... ... .............. .. ... .. ............... 73 Civilization Increases Bird Life ............. .. ...................... 76 Pecan Culture .......... .... ............... .. .................... 78 A Grape Experim ent Station .... .......... ...... ...... ........... 82 Grapes. Figs, Kaki ....................... .... .... .... ...........83 Official BusinessE lection of O fficers ........................ .. .. ............ 86 Selection of Place of Next Meeting .............. ..86 Officers' ReportsReport of Secretary ....................... ................... 89 Treasurer's Report for 1901........... .... .... .... ......... 90 Report of Executive Committee. ............................... 90 Report of Special Committee on Library ..................... 90 .....................

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FLORIDA STATE I7ORTICrLTIIRAL SOCIETY 3 Grafting and Budding -Considered from the Standpoint of an Orange Grower ....... .......... .. ................. ..... ..... ... 91 Econom ic Entom ology ........ ........... ...... ........ ......... joo T he Study of Forestry ...... ............. ... ..... ................ 107 FertilizersSpurious A shes .................. ...... .. .............i I o F ertilizing and Irrigation ................ .... ... .... ..............115 Tomato Growing in Dade County ............ .... .... ............. j18 Potato Culture in the Flatwood ....... ... .... .. ........ .. .......... 121 Dwarf Orange Culture .................. ...... .... .. ............. 126 Good Roads in Florida .................... .... .......... ... ........ 132 Some Productive Pomelos ...... .... .......... ... ............... 135 Report of Committee on President's Address ...... .... .... ........... 138 Final Resolutions ... ... ... .. .......... ....... ....... ......... 139 N ecrology ....... .... .... .... .. .. .. .... .. .................... 14 1

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FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. OFFICERS-ELECT FOR 1901. PRESIDENT: George L. Taber, Glen St. Mary. VICE-PRESIDENTS: Dr. George Kerr, Pierson; G. W. Wilson, Jacksonville; W. A. Cooper, Orlando. SECRETARY: S. Powers, Jacksonville. TREASURER: W. S. Hart, Hawks Park. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Lyman Phelps, Chairman, Sanford; E. S. Hubbard, Federal Point; E. 0. Painter, DeLand. President, Secretary and Treasurer, ex-officio.

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FLORIDA STATE IIORTICULTURAL SOCIETY STANDING COMMITTEES. Citrus Fruits-F. D. Waite, Palmetto; Strawberries and Miscellaneous Fruits H. L. DeForest, Sanford; John J. Other than Tropical-C. M. Griffing, Beers, Emporia. Jacksonville: H. S. Graves, GainesDiseases and Insects of Citrus-NV. S. ville; W. H. Jones, Orange Bend. Hart, Hawks Park: Geo. W. Adams, Entomology-Prof. H. A. Gossard, Thonotosassa: J. C. Carter, I)ade Lake City: L. Montgomery, M. D., City. Micanopy: W. J. Ellsworth, JessiPeaches, Plums and Pears--W. B. mine. Healy. Jafferv: R. W. Storrs, I)eVegetables-Prof. H. E. Stockbridge, Funiak Springs: Walter Cooper. Sor~ Lake City: S. H. Gaitskill, McIntosh; rento. M. F. Robinson, Sanford. Grapes, Figs and Kaki-C. A. Bacon, Ormond A. B. Harrington, 'Winter Marketing and Good Roads--. P. Haven; A. G. Goodody, BradfordHealy, Jaffery: Gardner S. Hardee, Vill. ockledge A. J. Pettigrew, Manatee. Pineapples-E. F. Sperry. Orlando; F. atees W. Lyman, Georgiana: A. D. AlderForestry-Gec. W. Wilson, Jacksonman, Bartow. ville; Chas. H. Baker, Grasinere; Prof. 0. P. Steves, St. Auguytstine. Tropical Fruits Other than Pineapplest E. N. Reasoner, Oneco: A. A. Boggs, New Fruits-Rev. Lyman Phelps, SanCocoanut Grove: Dr. E. E. P'ratt, ford: E. S. Hubbard, Federal Point; Limona. W. E. Baker, Melrose. Ornamentals-Mrs. E. S. Hubbard, Federal Point; Mrs. F. W. I nan, Winter Haven: Mrs. Mary. A. BigeSPECIAL COMMITTEES. low, Tarpon Springs. Damage from Cold and Best Methods To Confer with Board of Trustees of of Prevention-Geo. R. Fairbanks, State Agricultural College-S. H. Fernandina; C. C. Shooter, Earleton; Gaitskill, McIntosh; E. 0. Painter, T. P. Drake, Yalaha. Jacksonville; Benj. N. Bradt, HuntFertilizers and Irrigation-C. T. Mcington. Carty, Ankona; W. E. Parmenter, Delegates to American Pomological Jr., Orange Park; Cyrus Jones, BowlSociety Meeting-G. L. Taber, Glen mg Green. St. Mary: Rev. Lyman Phelps, SanNut Culture-Prof. H. Harold Hume, ford; C. T. McCarty, Ankona; Mrs. Lake City; D. L. Pierson, MontiFlorence P. Haden, Cocoanut Grove; cello; H. Fleming, Kissimmee. E. S. Hubbard, Federal Point; E. 0. Transportation-J. E. Ingraham, St. Painter, Jacksonville; Dr. Geo. Kerr, Augustine; W. L. Glessner, Macon, Pierson; W. S. Hart, Hawks Park. Ga.; M. E. Gillett, Tampa.

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LIST OF MEMBERS. HONORARY. Berckmans, P. J., Augusta, Ga. Redmond, D., St. Nicholas. LIFE. Alderman, A. D. Bartow. Hopper, Isaac A., Orlando. Allen, Win., 90 White St., New York Kerr, Dr. Geo., Pierson. City. Leonard, Geo. W., Hastings. Andrews, Clement W., John Crerar LiLewis, Dr. Fred D., 188 Franklin St., brary, Chicago, Ill. Buffalo, N. Y. Armstrong, L. H., St. Nicholas. Loehr, F. C., Fort Ogden. Francisco, Beltran, Monterey, N. L., Merritt, Dr. Jos. C., Orlando. Mexico. Milligan, John W,, Apopka. Chidester, D. D., 2321 Madison Square. Painter, E. 0. Jacksonville. Philadelphia, Pa. Painter, Mrs. E. 0., Jacksonville. Conner, W. E., 532 Madison Ave., New Price, F. N., Orlando. York City. Racey, Chas. H., Waveland. Cunliff, L. H., Garden City, N. Y. Richards, Thos. E., Eden. Ellsworth, W. J., Jessamine. Robinson, M. F., Sanford. Francis, Jr., Chas., Interlachen. Rolfs, Prof. P. H. Clemson College, Frink, Aubrey, Glen St. Mary. S. C. Gaitskill, S. H., McIntosh. Sneden, W. C. Waveland. Haden, Capt. Jio. J., Cocoanut Grove. Smith, Chas. E., Bogwalk, Jamaica. Haden, Mrs. Florence P., Cocoanut Strauss, J. E., Lealman. Grove. Stuart, Leon N., Montemorelos, N. L., Haldeman, W. N., Naples. Mexico. Harris, E. K., East Palatka. Taber Geo. L., Glen St. Mary. Hart, XV. S., Hawks Park. Temple, Win. C., 109o Shady Ave., Hastings, H. G., Atlanta, Ga. Pittsburg, Pa. Harvey, S. S., Havana, Cuba. Temple, Mrs. Wm. C., Winter Park. Healy, G. P., Jaffery. Wilson, Lorenzo A., Jacksonville. Hentz, \V. B., D. D. S., City Point. Woodroffe, Alfred, Auckland, New Heimpel, H. A., Gotha. Zealand. lerf. B. von. 93-99 Nassau St., New Worcester, C. H., Pomona. York City. Wyeth, J. H., Winter Park.

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F10 IR I)A N 7ATA' IT//'CL' T it t., SO U I MTV 7 ANNUAL. \an, Geo. W., Thonotosassa. Brown. E ., Punita Gorda. AdaiiLs, Irs. Geo. W., Thonotosassa. Bumby, Joseph, Orlando. Ainslie, W. L., St. Betersburg. Bunce, Chas. !I., Belleair. Alden, B. H., Stetson. Burr, I.afayette, Boston, Mass., 19 CenAllen, Hugh C., Maitland. trial St. Aies, -N. E.. Pomona. Brue, Rev. i.., St. Petersburg. Amsden, E. W., Ormond. Caldwell, D). J., Higley. Amsdeu, Mrs. E. W., Ormond. (janeron, L., Jacksonville. Ankeney, Mrs. J. A., Ankona. Campbell, A. E., Roseland. Arnold, R. A., Orlando. Campbell, W. B., Crescent City. Armistead, J. A., St. Petersburg-. Canno, E. E., Gainesville. Austin, D .E., W hite City. Ca rner, J .C ., D ad e sCity Axline, C. C., Island Grove. Carter, Mrs. LC., dade City. Bacon, C. A., Ormond. Carv-Elwes, D. G., Conway. I )acon, Mrs. C. A., Ormond. 'Iamberlain, Y. W., Tangerine. Baker, Chas. H.. (rasmere. Chapman, J. T., Plymouth. taker, M rs F. F., Larleton. Chappel, Jay, Palmetto. Baker, \V. E., Melrose. Clhenowith, H. P., Orlando. Balcolm, NIrs. Luke, Paola. ,.Chilton, B. F., New Smyrna. Baldwin, 1). S., New Y ork Citv, N. Y. 435 Fifth Ave. -Chisholm, A. \V., Orange City. Barher, C. F., Macclenny. C'lare, W. B., Crescent City. Bartlett. .. F.. St. Petersburg. Clarkson, H. C., Palmetto. Bae, A .St. Peters Cliff, W alter, Crescent City. Bell, J. ).1, St. Letershurg. Cochrane, F. C., Palatka. Beer, John., BLoW. ('Ole, F. E.,St. Petersburgx. Beesit, .aytora. (Conant, Dr. Edward C., Bartow. Benedict, Henry., Orlando. Cooke, R. F. E., Leesburg. Bennett, A. C., Tangerine. Cooper, Walter, Sorrento. Bentley, Miss M. E, St. Augustine. Cooper, W. A., Orlando. Bernd, Peter, Bowling Green. Corbett, C. C., M acclenny. Bigelow, Haves, Tarpon Springs. Corrigan. J. F., M. D., St. Leo. Bigelow, Mrs. Mary A., Tarpon Springs Crane, A. H., Nashua. Bieley, H. C., Lake City. Craver, J. C., Sutherland. Blackman, Rev. F. V., Miami. Cresson, Wim. H., City Point. Blanchard, E. B., Altamonte Springs. Crosby, J. A., San Mateo. Boggs, A. A., Cocoanut Grove. Curtis, John B., M. D., Orange Heights. Bovee, E. H., Bhrtow. Day, Rev. S. D., Sanford. Borden, Mrs. Mattie C., Sorrento. Dayton, Mrs. Geo. W., Dade City. Bradt, Benj. N., Huntington. DeForest, H. 1., Sanford. Bradt, Mrs. Benj. N., Huntingon. Dewey, Fred S., West Palm Beach. Brown, C. H., Altamnte Springs. Dickinson, Melissa, Orange City.

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8 FLORIDA STATE' 1IORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Dommerich, L. F., New York City, Harrington, Mrs. A. B., Winter Haven. N. Y. Harvey, Hazen H., Seffner. Dorr, Mrs. Wi. L., Federal Point. Hatler, B. F., Lake Maitland. Dorr, Wm. L., Federal Point. Hawks, Dr. J. M., Hawks Park. Drake, T. P., Yalaha. Hayward, E. H., DeLand. Dubois, Harry, Jupiter. Healy, W. B., Jaffery. Edwards, S. A., Bartow. Heard, J. C., St. Petersburg. Edwards, WXm., Plymouth. Henry. Bert W., New Orleans, La., 918 Embry, W. E., Dade City. Hennin Bldg. Erwin, W. W., Hastings. Henry, James, St. Petersburg. Ewerton, Chas., Avon Pak. Hepburn, H. L., Davenport, Ia. Fabyan, John, Conant. Hill, 0. J., DeLand. Fairbanks, Geo. R., Fernandina Hills, T. Morton, M. D., Willimantic, Felt, J. P., Emporia. Conn., 17 North St. Ferrand, Mrs. F. C., St. Petersbi-rg. Hilbourn, P. )., Norwalk. Fleming, H., Kissimmee. Hine, D. N., Nashua. Frank, J. W., Emporia. Hobart, Clarence, Clearwater Harbor. Fries, Albert, St. Nicholas. Hodges, F. S., Green Cove Springs. Gaitskill, Mrs. S. H., McIntosh. Holdridge, W. H. H., Grove Park. Gillett, M. E., Tampa. Holt, John, Providence, R. 1., 31 Zone Glessner, W. L., Macon, Ga. St. Goodbody, A. G., Bradfordville. Howard, Dr. Emory Eleazar, Sorrento. Gore, Mahlon, Orlando. Hoxie, A. E., St. Petersburg. Goodwin, R. L., Fort Pierce. Hubbard, R. F., Cazenovia, N. Y. Gossard, Prof. H. A., Lake City. Hubbard, Collins B., Detroit, Mich. Graham, G. E., Jessamine. Hubbard, E. S., Federal Point. Grant, A. J., Dunedin. Hubbard, Mrs. E. S., Federal Point. Graves, H. C., Alachua. Hubbard, R. J., Cazenovia, N. Y. Graves, H. S., Gainesville. Hume, Prof. H. Harold, Lake City. Greene, S. W., East Greenwich, R. I. Hume, Mrs. H. Harold, Lake City. Griffng, C. M., Jacksonville. Hutchinson, J. T., New Augustine. Griffing, W. D., Jacksonville. Ingraham, J. E., St. Augustine. Hakanson, A., M. D., Chicago, Ill., 153 Inman, Dr. F. W., Winter Haven. Ninety-Second St. Inman. Mrs. F. W., Winter Haven. Hammond, W. B., Zellwood. Irwin. Allen, Riverview. Hampton, B. M., Lakemon't. Jackson, W. T., Gainesville. Hampton, Mrs. B. M., Lakemont. Jameson, D. T., Largo. Hansen, R. Edward, Chicago, Ill., 154 Jenness, L. Y., St. Petersburg. E. Washington St Johnson, Edwin W., Jacksonville. Hardee, Gardner S., Rockledge. Johnson, T. H., Apopka. Hardee, M. C., Eden. Johnson, Mrs. T. H., Apopka. Hargreaves, George, Dunnellon. Jones, Cyrus, Bowling Green. Hargreaves, Nancy A., Dunnellon. Jones, Rev. C. J. K., Los Angeles, Cal. Harrington, A. B., Winter Haven. Jones, E. L., Waveland.

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FLORIIA NTATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 9 Jones, W. H., Orange Bend. Moffett, David, St. Petersburg. Kempe, Dr. J. j.. Rochester, N. Y., 14 Montgomery, H. T., Palmetto. Grove St. Montgomery, L., M. D., Micanopy. Kerr, Mrs. Carrie L., Piersii. Mote, E. H., Leesburg. Kirkhuff, WN. I., Braidentown. Munson, F. W., Georgiana. Knox, L. B., Bulow. Murphy, W. H., St. Petersburg. Kraemer, John F.. Niagara Falls, N. Y., Newton, C. M., Orlando. Station A. Nordmann, Ferd, New Smyrna. Krespach, Pierce A., Sorrento. Palen, Peter E., Haines City. Lang. Ar thur F., Cocoanut (ro';C. Parks, Geo. W., Stuart. Lees, 3. W.. Leesburg. Parks, \. Gordon, Stuart. Leffler. C. I-., Miami. iParks, Mrs. W. Gordon. Stuart. Leovy, Henry J., New T OIicans, La., Parmenter, Jr., W. E., Orange Park. BoN 1294. Perry D. W., P omona. Lewis, WN. J., Limona. Pettigrew, A. J.. Manatee. Lewis, C. H., St. Petersburg, Fla. Phelps, Rev. Lyman. Sanford. Limbaugh, H. T., Tampa. Phelps, Mrs. Mary A., Sanford. Lindsay, J. E., Davenport, lcwa. Phillips, J. I., Melbourne. Lubrecht, H., Island Grove. Phillips, Mrs. J. H., Melbourne. Luttichau. H. von, Earlet n. Pierson, D. L.. Monticello. Lyman, F. W.. Georgiana. !)orcher. E. P.. Cocoa. Lyman, J. R., Melbourne. Porcher, Mrs. E. P., Cocoa. McCarty, C. T.. Ankona. PI-owers, S., Iacksonville. McCarty, Mrs. C. T., Ankona. Pratt, Dr. E. E., Limona. McClung, J. M., Dunedin. Prevatt, A. B., Seville. McPherson, Marcia J., Stuart. Putney, E. D.. Englewood. McPherson, Nettie, Stuart. Racey, Mrs. C. H.. Waveland. McPherson, Robert, Stuart. Reasoner, E. N., Oneco. Mace, J. P., Lake Helen. Richards, J. T., Bartow. Mallary, E. Y., Macon, Ga. Richardson, Win. C., M. D., St. Louis, Mann, S. B., Glenwood. Mo., 411 Olive St. Mann, W. H.. Mannville. Roberts, Frank S., Penuelas, Porto Martin, George, Sebastian. Rico. Matheny, C. Woodburn, Sarasota. Russell, Geo. I., Orlando. Matheny, Geo. H., Sarasota. Russell, Mrs. Geo. I., Orlando. Mattison, W. W., Ridgeway. Pa. Sartorius, H. G., Seminole. Mattingly, G. W., St. Petersburg. Sartorius, Mrs. L. A., Seminole. Mead, Miss M. E., Pierson. Sartorius, L. G., Seminole. Mears, Geo. W., St. Petersburg. Sayers, Chas., Brooklyn, N. Y., 1155 Meislahn, H., Clarcona. Manhattan Ave. Merrill, J. V., Messina. Schmelz, Victor, Sylvan Lake. Metcalf, W. I., West Palm Beach. Schneider, Chas. F., Ocala. Minor, Mrs. M., Waveland. Schneider, Mrs. C. F., Ocala. Mitchell, Prof. A. J., Jacksonville. Sellmer, Chas., Zellwood.

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10 JfLOJUA STATE HORTWCULTURlAL SOCIETY Shooter, C. C., Earleton. Van Houten, C. S., Orlando. Shooter, H., Earleton. Vati Wyck, Miss Mary, New [iamburg, Shurtz, ). C., Gilbert, Ohio. N. Y. Simmons. \V. R., Glen St. Mary. Waite, F. 1)., (2) Palmetto. Sjostrom, L. H1. 0., Hallendale. Wakeli n A iios, Bullitt Building, PhilaSmeltz, Henry A., Tarpon Springs. Aelplia, Pa. Sneden, Mrs. W. C., Waveland. Wakelin, Grace V. Sorensen, John, Jensen. W\akelin, Guilford M. Sperry, E. F., Orlando. Warner, S. C., New York Mills, N. Y. Steves, Prof. 0. P., St. Augustine. Weeks, Geo. M., Glen St. Mary. Steinmetz, J. B., Clay Springs. Weihmaii, Chas., St. Petersburg. Stevens, HA. B., Stetson. Weidman, Jacob, Pittsburg, Pa., 319 Stevens, Mrs. H. B., Stetson. Lexington Ave. Stewart, A. K.. St. Louis, Mo., 5570 Williams, J. C., St. Petersburg. Etzel Ave. Westphal, A. M., island Grove. Stockbridge, Prof. H. E., Lake City. White, C. G., Hastings. Storrs, R. W., DeFuniak Springs. White, J. M., Orange City. Street, A. \V., Ormond. White, Kirk M., Crescent City. Straub, NV. L., St. Petersburg. White, Miss L. M., Hastings. Strunk, Win. P., Roodhouse, Ill. Whitman, Albert M., West Palm Beach. Stryker, Thos. H., Rome, N. Y. Written, Ww. M., South Bend, Ind. Suttie, D. A., Belfast, Ireland, Albert Whittle, Mrs. Annie, Seminole. Square. Whittle, J. C., Seminole. Sulzner, Chris., Miami. Williams, H. I., Miami. Taber, Mrs. G. L., Glen St. Mary. Wilson, Geo. W., Jacksonville. Tatem, Miss Muriel, Stetson. Witherington, H. H., Apopka. Teall, Geo. C., Eau Claire, W\is. Wolf, C. F., Jensen. Tenney, J. F., Federal Point. Wood, Geo. H. Tangerine. Thomson, John, Clearwater Harbor. Wood, E. ., Miami. Thornton, C. B., Orlando. Wood, N. G., Miami. Thomas, Robert, St. Petersburg. Woods, Mrs. M. L., Bowling Green. Tilden, NV. L., Oakland. Woods, Dr. S. R., Bowling Green. Tischler, P., Jacksonville. Vorcester, Mrs. C. H., Pomona. Townley, John, Miami. Wyckoff, John S., Citra. Townley, J. L., Miami. Wylie, J. IH., Interlachen. Trowbridge, S., Green Cove Springs.

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PROCEEDINGS OF THE FOURTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE Florila State Hortilultural 5olietU. The fourteenth annual meeting of the p. m. About 140 members were presFlorida State Horticultural Society wa ent, and it was the generally expressed held at St. Augustine nipon the invitafeeling that the interest of the meeting tion of the council of that city. The itself had never been surpassed, while Society convened in the armory at the the hearty, thoughtful hospitality of the city building on Tuesday, May 21 1901, people of St. Augustine rendered it also at 8:oo p. im., in accordance with the perhaps the most enjoyable in our hispublished prog-ram, and adjourned sine tory. (lie on the following Thursday at 10:00 Minutes. FIRST DAY. 3. Address of welcome by Mayor F. E. Boyce, of St. Augustine. (See page OPENING SESSION. 17.) Tues(lay, 8:oo p. 11. 4. Response on behalf of the Society i. Call to order by President Taber. by Mr. C. T. McCarty. (See page [7.) 2. Prayer by Rev. -. S. Rader, pastor 5. President's annual address. (See of Grace M. E. Church. page 18.)

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12 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 6. Mr. J. E. Ingraham announced that Jacksonville, a collection be taken tip in the ladies would give the Society a rerelief of the sufferers. Adopted. ception at Fort Marion, to which all the i6. Paper on Lettuce Culture Under members were cordially invited. Cover, by W. H. Draeger, read by the 7. Paper on Celery Culture, by FredSecretary. (See page 43.) eric H. Rand, of Sanford, read by the 17. Discussion of the same. (See Secretary, in the absence of Mr. Rand. page 46.) (See page 25.) AFTERNOON SESSION. SECOND DAY. Wednesday, 2:00 p. m. i8. Letter read from V. A. Taylor, MORNING SESSION. Secretary of the American Pornological Society, extending a cordial invitation to Wednesday, 9:00 a. m. the members of this Society to attend 8. Report of Standing Committee on their meeting in Buffalo, September 12 Citrus Fruits, by Chairman E. S. Huband 13. bard. (See page 28.) 19. President Taber read a letter from 9. Report by B. M. Hampton, also of Prof. H. J. Webber, expressing his apthe Committee. (See page 31.) preciation of the Society's work, and re10. Discussion of the above. (See getting his inability to attend or send in page 33.) a contribution. I1 .A box of very fine pomelos was 20. The President appointed as a presented to the Society by Potter Committee on Final Resolutions, E. 0. Brothers, of "Devil's Den Orange Painter, G. V. Adams and E. V. BlackGrove," Cocoanut Grove, Dade county. man. Grown on rocky pine land. 21. Rev. Lyman Phelps, E. S. Hub12. Report of Standing Committee bard and S. H. Gaitskill were appointed on Diseases and Insects of Citrus Fruits, a committee to consider certain parts of by Prof. H. A. Gossard, was not prethe President's Message. sented, but a Ziscussion took place on 22. Letter read from Mr. J. E. Ingrathe subject. (See page 37.) ham, placing at the disposal of the So13. Statement as to local prograrn of ciety a large number of free tickets to entertainment. South Beach, given by courtesy of the 14. President Taber stated that lie St. Auoustine & South Beach Railway. had authentic information from Wash23. Standing Committee on Pineington that a new and ample appropriaapples made no report; in lieu of it a tion had been made by the Department general discussion took place. (See of Agriculture, to resume the study of page 47.) citrus fruits in Florida, interrupted some 24. Standing Committee on Damage years ago. from Cold made no report. An inter15. Motion made by Rev. Lyman esting discussion arose, participated in Phelps that, in recognition of the many by several members. (See page 52.) courtesies received by this Society from 25. Mr. J. E. Ingraham, voicing the

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FLORIDA STATM MORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 13 unstinted hospitality of St. Augustine, sion on Pecan Culture ensued, led by asked if there was any other way whatProfessor Hume. (See page 78.) ever in which the people could serve the 37. Report of Standing Committee on Society. Grapes, Figs and Kaki, reported through 26. It was announced that the veteran the chairman, H. von Luttichau. Also members, D. Redmond and C. A. Bacon, a paper by W. D. Griffing, of the comwere ill and could not attend the meetmittee. Both on Grape Culture. (See ing. A vote of condolence was passed, page 82.) and E. 0. Painter was appointed to con38. Discussion of the subject. (See vey it to Dr. Redmond and E. W. Amspage 84.) den to (1o the same in the case of C. A. Bacon. 27. Report of Standing Committee on THIRD DAY. Pears, Peaches and Plums reported through the chairman, J. P. Mace, his MORNING SESSION. paper being read by the Secretary. Also the paper sent in by C. C. Shooter. (See Thursday, 9:oo a. m. page 6o.) .39. Tickets for South Beach excur28. Discussion on Peach Culture. (See sion handed in by Mr. Ingraham. page 62.) 40. Committee on New Fruits ap29. Paper read by Prof. H. Harold pointed: Rev. Lyman Phelps, E. S. HubHume on Fungous Diseases of Citrus bard, W. E. Baker. and Other Fruits, with samples of the 41. Delegates to attend the meeting diseases. (See page 64.) of the American Pomological Society in 30. Discussion of above. (See page Buffalo appointed: Rev. Lyman Phelps, 70.) C. T. McCarty, Mrs. F. P. Haden, E. 0. Painter. A motion was made by W. S. EVENING SESSION. Hart, and the Secretary put it before Wednesday, 7:00 p. m. the house, that President Taber be the 31. Standing Committee on Ornachairman of these delegates, with aumentals presented a report through the thority to fill all vacancies in Buffalo. chairman, Rev. Lyman Phelps. Also a paper by Mrs. Florence P. Haden, of the AFTERNOON SESSION. committee. (See page 73.) Wednesday, 2:oo p. 32. Discussion of above. (See page 42. The Nominating Committee pre75.) sented their report, recommending that 33. E. S. Hubbard called attention to the entire present board of officers be rethe magnificent palns with which the elected; which was accordingly done by ladies had embellished the hall. one motion. 34. Paper, Civilization 'Increases Bird 43. Speeches by the newly-elect. (See Life, by S. Powers. (See page 76.) page 86.) 35. Discussion. (See page 78.) 44. For the next place of meeting all 36. Standing Committee on Nut Culthe speeches were made in favor of ture made no report. A general discusTampa. (See page 86.)

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14 FLORIDA 8TATA' HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 45. Tampa was unanimously chosen 58. Discussion of above. (See page as the next meeting place. 109.) 46. Secretary's report read. (See 59. Standing Committee on Fertilizpage 89.) ers made no report. 47. Treasurer's report read. (See 6o. Prof. H. E. Stockbridge made page 90.) some remarks on the bogus character 48. Executive Committee's report of "Canada hardwood ashes." (See presented. (See page go.) page [10.) 49. President Taber made a statement 61. Major Fairbanks had previously as to the terms and conditions under offered a resolution appealing to the which the reduced transportation rate Legislature to protect Florida forests. was obtained this year. The JacksonThis was now amended to include provyile fire compelled the oftIcers to change section against the turpentine men, and the meeting-place to St. Augustine on adopted. short notice, and this caused a little con62. Paper on Fertilizers sent in by E. fusion. ). Putney, but too late to be read. 5o. C. W. Butler stated that the rate (3. No report from the Committee on of one cent a mile had already been Transportation. promised for next year for the Tampa meeting. 51. Treasurer W. S. Hart stated that EVENING SESSION. lie had received the sum of $42.25 from the members for the Jacksonville fire Thursday, 7:00 p. m. sufferers. 64. Motion made and carried that this 52. Paper on Grafting and Budding, session wind tip the business. by X. S. Hart. (See page 91.) 6-. C. T. McCarty offered a resolu53. Discussion of the same. (See tion Irequesting the Legislature to make page 97.) .an appropriation of $2,500 for the State 54. Resolution presented im favor of Fair. Adopted. protection of forests. 66. Report of Standing Committee on Vegetables was presented by Rev. E. AFTERNOON SESSION. V. Blackman, in an individual paper on Tomato Culture. (See page 118.) Thursday, 2:00 p. la. .. 55. Report of Standing Committee on 67. C. G. White also read an .iidEntomology was presented by the chairnal report, a paper on Potato Culture. man, Prof. H. A. Gossard, with illustra(See page 121.) tions of fumigating tents. (See page 68. Discussion on above papers. 100.) 69. S. Powers read a paper on Dwarf 56. Discussion of above. (See page Orange Culture. (See page 1 26.) 105.) 70. Discussion of same. 57. Committee on Forestry reported 71. Committee on Strawberries and through Major G. R. Fairbanks. (See Miscellaneous Fruits made no report. page 107.) 72. Committee on Marketing and

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FiLORI )A HTATE BORTICULTl' RAL SOCIETY 15 Good Roads called. The Secretary caled. S. H. Gaitskill stated that the said he had a rather lengthy paper on committee had nothing to report. Good Roads from C. H. Baker, of the 75. Mr. Phelps moved that this comcommittee. On motion, it vas ordered mittee he continued another year. Carto he published in the anmlnmi report, tried. 'Members are: S. H. Gaitskill, E. time being limited. (See p4ge 132.) (. Painter. Beni. N. Bradt. 73. Library Committee called. Sec76. Committee on Final Resolutions retarV S. Powers read a report. reported. (See page 13o. 74. Committee on Co-opera Cion with 77. R1sodltin1 adopted. Trnstees of State Agicnlriiral College 78. \djourned sine die. MEMBERS PRESENT. Ihe following membeTs registered at the Secretary's delk: there may have been others who did not enroll their names: W. S. Hart. R. A. Arnold. Cyrus W. Butler. I-. P. Chenowith. James Henry. Henry Benedict. J. E. Strauss. A. B. Prevatt. W. H. Cresson. M. E. Gillett. Walter Cliff. Prof. 11. E. Stockbridge. W. 1. Metcalf. Prof. H. A. Grossard. J. H. Phillips. J. A. Crosby. Mrs. J. H. Phillips. S. R. Woods, M. 1). W. E. Embry. Mrs. S. R. Woods. Benj. N. Bradt. J. M. McClung. Mrs. Benj. N. Bradt. L. Cameron. Lyman Phelps. John Sorensen. Mary L. Phelps. W. H. Mann. C. H. Racey. Miss M. E. Bentley. L. G. Sartorins. Wrn. L. Dorr. Mrs. J. G. Sartorius. Mrs. Wim. L. Dorr. H. G. Sartorius. Miss L. M. White. I. C. Whittle. Muriel Tatem. Mrs. I. C. Whittle. Dr. Edward E. Conant. B. F. Chilton. C. G. White. Jnc. J. Beers. FT. H. Witherington. P. S. Potter. J. B. Steinmetz. F. F. Sperry. F. P. Porcher.

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16 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Mrs. E. P. Porcher. Walter Cooper. G. S. Hardee. W B. Campbell. J. C. Carter. S. B. Mann. Mrs. J. C. Carter. Dr E. E. Pratt. Mrs. G. W. Dayton. D. N. Hine. W. G. Parks. D. W. Perry. E. 0. Painter. M. E. Ames. E. S. Hubbard. J. P. Felt. Mrs. E. S. Hubbard. Chas. F. Schneider. Miss Mary Van Wyck. Mrs. Chas. F. Schneider. C. T. McCarty. W. J. Lewis. Mrs. C. T. McCarty. H. H. Harvey. R. W. Storrs. Geo. W. Adams. C. M. Griffing. A. B. Harrington. W. D. Griffing. Mrs. A. B. Harrington. Geo. I. Russell. W. L. Glessner. Mabel M. Russell. F. C. Loehr. T. P. Drake. J. H. Wyeth. Oliver P. Steves. W. E. Baker. H. Meislahn. J. H. Wylie. H-. Price Williams. E. N. Reasoner. Mrs. Price Williams. Wn. Edwards. John J. Haden. F. D. Waite. Mrs. Florence T. Haden. A. D. Alderman. B. F. Hatler. J. S. Chapman. A. W. Chisholm. J. T. Richards. C. F. Barber. L. B. Knox. W. E. Parmenter, Jr. D. D. Powell. H. Harold Hume. Mr. -I. B. Stevens. Mrs. H. Harold Hume. Mrs H. B. Stevens. Aubrey Frink. G. 1. Taber. Cyrus Jones. Mrs. G. L. Taber. V. Schmelz. T. H. Johnson. E. V. Blackman. Mrs. T. H. Johnson. George Kerr. F. C. Cochrane. Mrs. Carrie Lincoln Kerr. W. J. Ellsworth. Miss M. E. Mead. Geo. E. Graham. Jno. S. Wyckoff. D. 1. Pierson. J. M. Hawks. S. H. Gaitskill. -1. C. Bieley. Mrs. S. H. Gaitskill. Joseph Bumby. B. H. Alden. W. A. Cooper. Stephen Powers. W. H. Jones. F. W. Inman.

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OPENING ADDRESS. The address of welcome by Mayor E. dially. We extend to you the warmest E. Boyce, of St. Augustine, was a charhospitalities of our homes and our acteristic bit of sturdy and independent hearthstones. We trust that while you American officialism, voicing the kindly are here you will feel that the perfect and sincere hospitality which intelligent freedom of the city is open to you, and, American communities entertain toward as the representative of the people of St. the tillers of the soil. The welcome of Augustine, I extend to you, Mr. PresiSt. Augustine was aptly typified by the dent, and to you, gentlemen of the Horenormous palm boughs with which the ticultural Society, the freedom and the hall had been ornamented, spreading far hospitality of St. Augustine, trusting out overhead like the arches of a cathat you will avail yourselves of one and thedral-decorous, stately, free from all enjoy the other, that in years to come. the evanescent effects of perishable when you look back to the first meeting flowers-an old-time courtly hospitality of the twentieth century, you will prowell befitting the Ancient City. Mayor ounce it the most pleasurable and profBoyce said, among other things: itable in the annals of the State Horti"To this old city, with all its historic cultural Society of Florida." associations we welcome you most corTHE SOCIETY'S RESPONSE. On behalf of the Society, Mr. C. T. reached the zenith of power and McCarty, with only a few minutes' prepgrandeur. aration, speaking in place, of another, "The United States of America, of rose to a fine touch of eloquence. He which we are justly proud, has risen said in part: from a small settlement on the remote "It occurs to me that he must be dull peninsula of Florida to one of the indeed who, with the history of three and leading nations on earth. Ladies a half centuries surrounding him, were and gentlemen of St. Augustine, we feel not able to rise to such an occasion as that you are indeed fortunate in your this. And what is represented by these homes, in your surroundings, having three and a half centuries? Havoc and about you the place where the first city war have disappeared, and nature has in America found its permanent home.

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is FLUIIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY I feel it on behalf of the Society my duty greatest calamities in the history of the as well as my pleasure to say that we world. We to-day mourn the loss of are keenly alive to the beauties that surthe city which is perhaps second only in round you ; and in passing, I cannot magnitude to that proportionately. We fail to say a word for our stricken sister assure the people of Jacksonville that city, now in ashes. Agong the great they have our deepest sympathy. We disastrous fires that have visited many, have eaten salt and broken bread with we have been the unfortunate sufferer them; we have enjoyed most keenly on from one in our own State. Few can many occasions their hospitality. We realize it. Many years lgo I saw the expect to enjoy ourselves equally keenly ruins of the city of Chicago, e 1 the in the city of St. \uuistine." President's Annual Address, (EORGE 1. TABER. MemberS of the Florida State H otticulbrick and mortar, what should we do; tural Society, Ladies and Gentlemen: what ought we to do? On a fateful Friday a little less than A hasty conference of some of our ofthree weeks ago the wires carried ficers and members resulted in the decisthroughout the length and breadth of ion that the meeting should still be held the land the dire news that the city of in Jacksonville, provided it could be acJacksonville was in flames. The next complished in a way that would prove day some of us drove for hours over beneficial to Jacksonville but not otherfallen wires, cluttering brick and other wise. In times past we had been welunburnable debris, through smoking comedy there as guests. We had parruins of what had been the fairest resitaken of the bread and salt of a city dence and most prosperous business noted throughout the country for its portions of the Gate City to Florida. generous hospitality. Fortune had The time for our Horticultural Sobeen kind to some of us during the past ciety meeting had been set for May 21 year, and perhaps some of us, viewing to 24. Hotel accommodations had the ruin wrought, would feel minded to been arranged; transportation had been contribute toward the necessities of secured. We were to convene at the those with whom fortune had dealt less beautiful Board of Trade rooms in Tackkindly; we would at least leave in the sonville. But now with her largest hocity some of the dollars that trade and tels vanished into thin air, her Board of hotel bills imply, and we would reciproTrade building, opera house and other cate, so far as in us lay, the kind expresconvention places but unsightly piles of sons of encouragement, of hope and of

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PLORIDA STATE HONT'(LTURAL SOCIETY 1i cheer that Jacksonville had extcndd IcOf St. A(1jugustine that iin addition to the us during the dark (lays of our cwn adlosses Jacksonville has sustained by fire, versity. .he feels the loss of the H orticultural Society meeting." LECUPERATIVE Io\'WERS UNDERh/IFD. In addition to St. Augustine s invitation. we received one from the city of Acting upon this decision, Secretafy Orlando and one from the city of Tampa. Powers sent out his first circular anOn behalf of the Society, thanks were bouncing that, notwithstanding the fire, conveyed to the imiavors of both of these the meeting would still be held in 1accCities together with the information that, sonviile .:\few days later. however, a lndler the circumstances. we thought second canvass of the situation. in whice ht ter to come here. your President consulted with ViceYmr President wishes to extend his President George \V. Wilson and Secrcpersonal thanks to the Executive Cormtary Powers, of the Society. and The miittee for empowering him with their prominent railroad. city and Board of prerogrative a nod inodorsing. in alvance, Trade officials of Jacksonville. resulted ill his decision as to place of meeting. when a reversal of our first decision. It bered tape would have seriously impeded came plain that we had underrated Jack&the prompt action that the exigencies of sonvilles wonderful recuperative Pow4the CaSe demande(l. ers. Her lurnt-ont population, instead of leaving the city in swarms, remained OCIETY A SUFFERER. to rebuild the fallen city and recoup thi lr fallen fortunes. [he city needed every The fire which was so disastrous to available room for officing anl housing Jacksonville was far-reaching in its efher own inhabitants. The kindliest iects, and our Society is one of the sufservice we could render Jacksonville was ferers-to comparatively small extent, it to look for other quarters. We accepted is true, vet the loss is one we deplore. St. Augustine's kind invitation, SecreAll records of the Society and all annual tary Powers sent out notices to that efreports on hand for the past years were fect, and we are here. destroyed. This makes it impossible to The thanks of the Society are duc the supply life members from now on with railroads, which, with courtesy and reports published prior to the fire. I am promptness. made available for St. Auhappy to say, however, that the library, gustine the reduced rates that had been of which the Library Committee's report granted for Jacksonville. Our thanks will show we have a nucleus, was not are also due the Board of Trade of Jackburned. In this connection I wish, withsonville and its large-hearted, wholeout discrimination against other contribsouled president, Capt. C. E. Garner, the utors, to call special attention to the genworthy president of the Relief Associaerosity of Mrs. Frances E. Manville, of tion, who, when your President told him Orange City, who, in remembrance of that we had decided to go to St. Alher husband, our former Secretary, A. H. gustine, said, "Brother Taber, please say Manville, kindly donated the complete to your Society and to the good people collection of horticultural books which,

PAGE 23

FLORIDA STATM HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY he possessed at the time of his death. buildings have been embellished, and While each and every one of us must without this art her magnificent archdeplore the calamity that made necessary itecture would lose half its significance. a change in our meeting place, yet it seems to me peculiarly fitting that the THE SCOPE OF WORK. Florida State Horticultural Society, which, more than any other, represents And now, ladies and gentlemen, let us the peaceful, substantial progress of our consider for a few moments the scope of State, should hold a convention in this work that lies before us at this meeting. historic town, the oldest, not only in Our Society has to deal with the hortiFlorida, but in the United States. It culture of the second largest State east was here that, more than three and oneof the Mississippi river, embracing, third centuries ago, Menendez's expediroughly speaking, fifty-nine thousand tion of conquest and control first found square miles. From Fernandina to the anchorage. It was from this port the Perdido we cover six degrees of longiDon sallied forth to give battle to the tude, and from St. Mary's river to Cape Frenchman; it was near this town the Sable about the same number of degrees massacre of the French occurred that, in of latitude. Figures, however, whether turn, brought forth from France the exrepresenting distances or areas, carry edition that wrought terrible retribumuch more weight when reinforced by tion on the Spaniard. In those days comparisons: Florida was primeval. The most valLet us suppose that aerial navigation tied art was the art of war. Fighting, -which the present century will unfor occupation or defense, was for many doubtedly see perfected-is already in years the most important business of the successful operation. With one of these inhabitants of this city and of this State. space-annihilating machines, let us start It had to be. Those were days when, if from the northwestern extremity of the ever, might made right. But now see State of Florida and make a flying trip how changed! No need now for senin a straight line to the southeastern extries to pace the ramparts of yonder antremity of our mainland. An examinacient fort and signal whether the fleet tion of the meter will show that we have sailing up the bay is bringing relief to a logged off five hundred and fifty miles. beleaguered people, or flying colors that Now, returning to our initial point of mean fight or be destroyed. No need Northwestern Florida, let us take a trip now for moat or drawbridge. No need of equal distance in a northeasterly dinow for the portcullis at old Fort Marion rection. This will take us across a large to be kept in working order; the one at portion of the State of Alabama, the the Ponce de Leon has replaced it-and whole of the States of Georgia and it is raised to all without fear of an eneSouth Carolina, and land us in the mid-my. St. Augustine has no enemies, but (lIe of the State of North Carolina, or, hosts of friends, and among them all with our course a little more to the none more friendly that the horticulturnorthward, take us clear over the northist. It is in the practice of our art that ern line of North Carolina into Virginia; the grounds surrounding her palatial or, trending still more, to the northward,

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FLORIDA NTAT11E HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 21 land us in West Virginia, after having tories in this country prior to the Spanish covered portions of the States of Alawar-that are, either in whole or in part, bama, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennesnearer to the State of Florida than the see and Virginia. Pursuing a still more two extremities of our State are to each northerly direction, we can land in other. (As a matter of fact, there is one Northern Kentucky, almost uip to Ciiother State that comes within the discinnati, 0. Flying north and northwest, tance, but not within the circle; this Is we can land one-third of the way up the Ohio, the southern extremity of which is States of Indiana or Illinois, or the cennearer to Fernandina than our northter of the State of Missouri ; or, with western extremity is to our southeastjust a few extra revoultions of our proern.) peller, can land in Southeastern KanNow, if these figures and comparisons sas. In an almost westerly direction, applied to a State situated farther north, we would lan( near Austin, the capital of surrounded on all sides by other States, Texas, or, trending a little more to the the situation, while still admitting of southwest, almost reach Corpus Christi. plenty of work on our part, would be directlyy south or directly east we would vastly simplified. In that case we would not care to lvy, or at least to light when be one of a cluster of States having, horour five hundred and fifty miles were ticulturally speaking, much in common. completed. In the one direction we We could consult horticultural papers would land in deep water well down the and horticultural reports of States adGulf of Mexico, with nothing more joinig us on the east or west or south, tangible to grasp at than the Tropic of nd obtain valuable information from Cancer, and in the other direction we our neighbors working under similar would disappear from sight in the Atconditions of soil and climate. But lantic, two hundred miles east of Ferwhen we consider that the only two nandinma. States with which we come in contact are those that constitute our northern VAST DISTANCEs. boundary, a d that, leaving these, our State immediately trends southward into Now, while some of us might find this salt water and warmer latitudes, our flying to be a pleasant sensation, others unique position and comparative isolaof us might not, and as none of us arc tion among the sisterhood of States beyet used to it, and our airship might not comes doubly apparent; we realize more accommodate us all, let us take a map fully how much we are thrown upon our of the United States and a pair of comown horticultural resources. I am passes. and drawing a circle with the happy to say that these resources have northwestern point of Florida for its never yet failed us-and are not likely center and our southeastern mainland oii to. its periphery, attain the same results. Returning again to our map and stirThis circle will not only corroborate the veying the territory over which our distances name(], but also show us that northeastern flight took us, we will find there are fifteen States and one Territory that while yet in mid-air before the flight -one-third of all the States and Terriwas half completed wNe were passing over

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FLORMIIA ST ATE' H O/TICULTURt L SOCIETY the largest peach orchards in the world. which, while no relation to the Le Conte Investigation will show us that some of or other pears, holds out promising inthe varieties comprising those immense ducements and is probably no more subMiddle Georgia orchards are also adaptject to attacks of blight than is the ed to our initial point of Northwestern saurian whose name it has borrowed. Florida, but that coming east and south In Northern Florida the cultivation of from there the adaptability of these vathe pecan nut is assuming large proporrieties gradually diminishes until before tions, and very justly so. In extreme we reach an imaginary line drawn across South Florida we find that mammoth of the State from Cedar Key to Jacksonall nuts, which produces both food and 'Ile their fruitfulness has become so indrink, the cocoanut, growing under as paired as to make them utterly valueless radically different conditions from those for commercial planting. Now, this does suited to the pecan as can well be connot mean that south of this line we canceived. not grow peaches-for, on the contrary, In sections of Northern Florida some we can and do. It means simply that varieties of the true Japan plum, peaches for semi-tropical planting must Prunus triflora, have fruited well, and be of tropical or semi-tropical origin. crosses that have been and will be proInvestigation will show us that the kinds duced between these and our native most largely planted in peninsular Flortypes promise much for a large portion ida, and which are now being shipped by of the State. In Southern Florida the the carload from sections that a few Eriobotrya, Japonica, or Loquat, also eryears ago did not know they could orow roneously called Japan plum, is of great peaches, are to a very large extent vavalue and worthy of being planted more rieties that have originated in Florida extensively than at present. Several and belong to types introduced from the improved named varieties of these are tropics. already in existence that are very much larger and in every way superior to the FRUIT OF ALL KINDS. common seedlings. In Northern Florida we have the figs, In the northern portion of our State Japan persimmon and grapes to consider, apples can be grown, although, it must and many varieties of these are equally be admitted, not with such degree of sucadapted well down the State ; and again cess as will warrant extensive planting. in South Florida, the pomelo, lemon, In the southern half of the State we have limrue, guava and mango, together with an apple that is ten times as large and rninor fruits of even more tropical charten times as luscious, the cultivation of acter, come in for our attention. which has assumed large proportions And now, last to mention, but perand has proven immensely profitable; it haps first in importance, comes the is the pineapple. orange, the fruit that, more than any In Northern Florida pears have been other, has made us famous; the one with profitably grown, although in recent which the name of Florida is inseparably years badly affected by blight. In Southlinked. Where shall we draw the line ern Florida a so-called pear is grown of demarkation between adaptability and

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FLORIDA STATE HORT iULTUlA N SOCIETY 23 non-adaptability of this queen of fruits? f ruitruL varieties grown in the locality To be sure. during storm and stress of in which each of u is situated. If each weather that recent years have brought member of this society would do this for us, she has been seeking protection near a few years in succession I believe vathe Everglades but does this mean that rietres wound he originated that would she has abandoned her old haunts forbe to Florida what the far-famed Elberever? We think not. We believe that ta is to Georgia and states to the northall that portion of Florida that has been w ard. i does not take much room to graced with her presence in the past will do this; the pits may be planted one or be graced with it again: that in her trip two feet in the rows and rows eight feet southward she is simply extending her apart. After they have fruited dig up dominion and making it that much those that pfodUce only mediocre or larger than ever before. Her votaries poor fruit, and let the others stand; not farther up the State do not relinquish as the basis of a commercial orchard in their claim upon her simply because themselves, but for further test as to those farther down the State have filed possibility of varieties that may prove theirs. Already, with less than three vworthv of extensive propagation and years elapsed since the hardest freeze :dantUig. While budded varieties only ever known in Florida, there are comshould form the basis of a commercial puted to be one thousand boxes of her orchard, yet the few trees to which our golden output in sight in one grove withtitlee p)ot will be ultimately thinned will in ten miles of the Georgia line. lie the very best varieties out of the lot But it is not alone the fruits of Florida (J seedlings produced and, whether we that demand attention at our hands: if have developed anything startling or so, we would be a pomological society not, can remain a a valuable adjunct to rather than a horticultural one. Pomolour home orchard. ogy treats of fruits and fruit trees; hortiI have especially mentioned peaches culture embraces all of pomology and because they are easily grown, subject to much more. Vegetables. shrubs and wide variation from the seed and fruit flowers, as well as fruits, come within the while yet very young. There are thousscope of a horticultural society. Our ands upon thousands of acres of land printed programme shows that all these throughout both Northern and Peninsuare given a place. lar Florida that are perfectly adapted to Referring once more to our unique peach culture. We already have good position on the map, I wish to call attenkinds; we might have better ones-let tion to what I believe to be a means of us originate them. Some of us have aladding largely to the horticultural ready done something in this line, but wealth of the State, if we will go at it it is needless to say that the efforts of a systematically, and that is the growing whole State will produce much greater of new varieties with the material already results than the few could accomplish. at hand to serve as a basis. Take for inBut it is not peaches alone that hold stance peaches, to which I have before out inducements in the way of originaalluded, and plant a few pits year after tion of new varieties. There are many year from the best, earliest and most other fruits that can be experiniented

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24 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY with in the same way, and our horticuleties yet unborn if we will but apply the tural resources materially developed wizard touch. from within the State. With the citrus And now, ladies and gentlemen, I fruits, where variation of seedlings is not wish to congratulate each member of the as radical as with some others, the more Society on the fact that we are horticulscientific method of artificial pollination turists. The pursuit that we follow is presents an inviting field which has a]one that is broadening, ennobling, upliftready been entered upon to a consideraing. Of all the arts and sciences there is ble extent, and crosses produced not no other the followers of which are only between varieties but species, that brought into such close relation with promise much for the future. This field nature ; and he who can feel his own is so large, however, and admits of pulse responds to nature's mighty heartsuch an almost endless combination in throb is a king, regardless of whether the assembling of desirable qualities of he live in palace or hovel. He can, as can different varieties under one exterior all of us if we are true horticulturists, apcovering that there is no danger of its preciate the sublimity of sentiment exever being overdone. pressed by William Cullen Bryant in And then in addition to the planting "A Forest Hymn:" of fruit tree seeds, either naturally or artificially pollinated, there are numerous "My heart is awed within me as I think shrubs and flowers which are subject to Of the great miracle that still goes on, the same laws of variation and which ofIn silence, round me-the perpetual fer a delightful field of experiment to work those of us to whom the beautiful in naOf thy creation, finished, yet renewed ture appeals; and to whom of us does For ever. Written on thy works I read it not ? The lesson of thy own eternity. In mentioning the possibilities that lie Lo all grow old and die-but see again before us in the way of further developHow on the faltering footsteps of decay ment, I trust that none of you will think Youth presses-ever gay and beautiful that I am belittling the actualities that youth, already exist. On the contrary no one In all its beautiful forms. These lofty of you recognizes more than I the grantrees deur of our horticultural domain, and the Wave not less proudly that their ancesgrandeur of our well-established hortitors cultural products. Let us continue to Moulder beneath them. Oh, there is not import into the State every tree or vegelost table or seed or plant or cutting that One of earth's charms; upon her bosom holds forth promise of being an acquiyet, sition, but let us also remember that we After the flight of untold centuries, have within our State limits, at our The freshness of her far beginning lies, fingers' ends, a mine of wealth in variAnd yet shall lie."

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Celery Culture With Sub-Irrigation. BY FREDERIC H. RAND, SANFORD. Replying to your request for infoimatogether, placed in a bed of charcoal two tion as to the plan I have pursued in inches deep and covered with two inches the irrigation and drainage of the lands more of charcoal. From the last line of devoted to the raising of celery by the pockets on the north the four-inch waterFlorida Land & Colonization Company, tight pipes end in an open ditch. You it affords me pleasure to give you the will thus see that there is a line of waterfollowing information: tight pipes running from north to south, The plot of land selected by me for and a line of pipes not water-tight runthis purpose was a lot of twenty acres, ning from east to west, each centering common flat-woods lan(l, selected withand emptying into each and every out regard to its special fertility, but as pocket, by means of which the flow of nearly level as could be found. The water is controlled anld diverted into any land measured 1,128 feet east and west part of the field where it may be required and 8oo feet north and south, having a by simply placing a wooden plug in the very slight dip toward the north, the levoutlet from one of the pockets in the els when taken showing only about three north and south pipes. inches fall in 8oo feet. On the south line For example :We will say that the of this lot I sunk four artesian wells, 280 water is wanted in the middle of the feet apart. These wells each emptied field and not at any other point. We into a receptacle made of brick and lined would then take water from either the with cement, so as to be water-tight, first or second well; the water from the sunk seventeen inches below the surface well empties into the first pocket and of the ground. These receptacles here rins through the four-inch water-tight are usually called "pockets" and will be pipe, until it meets some obstacle to prereferred to hereafter by that name. Exvent its flowing. The part we wish to tending north from the first pocket at irrigate being in the center of the field, each well is a line of these pockets, twenand there being twenty pockets, the ty feet apart and connected by waterwater would flow into and out of ten tight four-inch pipes, the outlet and inpockets, but in the eleventh pocket I let from each pocket being one length place a wooden plug to prevent a further of iron pipe and the rest earthen pipe. flow. Now, to prevent a waste of water Extending east and west from each and to prevent its flowing into the pocket is a line of earthen drain pipe, not ground before it reached the eleventh water-tight, the ends simply being laid pocket, all the irrigation pipes which run

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PMU R/0A STIAT H H ORT 1/0U LTU1?Ab SOCIMTT froi Cast to est are also closed by a the w~ after was turned on; at I t o'clock it wooden plug in the hrst ten pockets; had risen so it was standing in the little consequently the whole volume of water patls between the seed beds; all plugs comes to the eleventh pocket through were then removed and the water allowthe water-tight pipe. The wooden plug ed to escape. At 3 o'clock in the afterthere prevents its further flow to the noon the ground was so dry that it was north, and the two irrigation pipes runeasily worked with hoe and rake. The ning from east to west on each side of irrigation pipes should be placed fourthe pocket not having wooden plugs inteen inches below the surface. It is well serted in them, carry off the vater, and to have the water-tight pipes or mains an it passes through every joint of the pipe, inch or so lower. The pockets in my and by capillary attraction is drawn to field are made of brick and cement which the surface and thoroughly moistens the is lasting but expensive. The same obsoil from twelve to fifteen feet on each ject can be accomplished by boxes made side of the pipe. While I have here of wood, but these will not always be named the process of only one pipe, a water-tight, and, as they decay, would dozen or more pipes can be used at the necessarily have to be replaced. It is same time, only depending upon the absolutely necessary to have all pipes enanMount of water delivered by the artetering the pockets made of iron, as, if sian well. So much for irrigation. earthen pipes were carried to the pockets, they would probably be broken by DRAINAGE. the swelling of a wooden plug which might be dry when inserted and conseNow, the same system is used for quently expand when the water touched drainage. In case of a heavy rain or it. continued storm, when on undrained land the water would lie upon the surTHIRD SYSTEM OF PIPES-EXTRA PREUAITface of the ground, I keep my land perTIONS. fectly dry by simply removing all the plugs from all the water-tight pipes or As water lying on the surface of the mains and also from the irrigation pipes. ground is very injurious to both celery The surface water sinks into the ground and lettuce, our principal crops, I have and into the irrigation pipes through the taken extra precaution to prevent overcracks at the joints and then runs into flow from sudden and violent rains, and the pockets, and from there it is taken below the whole of the system that I by the water-tight pipes or mains and have above described I have laid sixconducted to the open ditch outside the inch water-tight mains at two different field. The result of an experiment made points in the field, running from north to by me soon after I completed this syssouth; and connection with these is tem showed the following results on made at eight different points from the about an acre of land where I was plantpocket; at the outlet of these pipes is an ing some seed beds, the beds being iron valve. They are seldom usedraised about two inches above the genonly in case of violent storms; then the eral level At 7 o'clock in the morning valves are opened and the plug s in the

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'LORIDA STATK HSTOICUI (:?L so'IgTY 27 pockets taken out, and these pipes carry crop is not yet marketed I cannot give off all overplus of water that the regular you the results as to that. But I can four-inch mains may be unable to dissay that on Irish potatoes, the present pose of. year, on this irrigated and (trained land, To guard against accident which I have raised an average of 140 barrels might occur in case of a violent rain cornper acre, and off of 14-i6ths of an acre I ing on in the night when there was no have already marketed 251 barrels of one to attend to the outlet of the water cahbaoe, and have more to ship. by removing the plugs, [ have placed in the pocket, about one-third from the end i'RoiAGATION. BLEACHING, MARKETING, (the pocket in measurement being 12x16 ETC. inches), a brick, water-tight partition rising to within four inches of the surface. Relative to methods pursued by me as This partition is in the lower end of the to propagation, bleaching,. marketing, pocket and has in it two holes, one near etc., I can only say that thus far the the bottom and the other near the top, growing of celery in this part of Florfour inches in diameter, lined with iron ida is in an experimental stage, and I thimbles or pieces of four-inch pipe; and (1o not think that any two growers treat in these holes the plugs are placed inthe crop exactly alike, and therefore I stead of the actual outlet when I wish to give you only my own methods. I plant raise the water. You will thus see that the seed about the last of September, in the water, after these holes are plugged, beds about three feet wide and in (trills can only rise to within four inches of the four inches apart, sowing thickly. After surface, as it then comes to the top of the the plant is about two inches high, I partition and flows over and passes transplant it to a "prick bed" same size through the outlet pipe. If, however, I as seed bed, and set the plants 1 1-2 wish to raise the water tip to the surface. inches apart aid rows four inches apart. 1 plug the outlet pipe itself; if I wish to It requires about sixty days for the plant raise it only part way to the surface, to acquire the proper size to be placed considerably below the level of the top of in the field; no exact time can be stated, the partition, I leave the plug in the lowas the size of the plant depends largely er hole of the partition and remove it upon the fancy of the individual grower, from the tipper hole, some preferring larger plants than othI think the above description answers ers. After being set in the field, which your question as to the method of irrigashould have been well fertilized before tion pursued by me. I have described the plants are taken up, it is simply a what is oin my place and under my own matter of time and constant cultivation charge: the same system is used by all and frequent light applications of fertithe other growers in this neighborhood, lizer until ready for bleaching, which some with slight variations but as a genpoint must be judged entirely by the size eral thing the same: and, therefore, in of the plant. The bleaching usually redescribing one, I have described all. The quires about ten days. present year is the first marketable crop One-inch cypress boards t2 inches that I have raised of celery, and as the wide are used for this purpose, placed

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28 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY close tip to the side of the plant and ford, and is known as the Sanford Standdrawn together at the top to about four ard. There are two or three other sizes inches, and held in that position by wires. used in the State, generally larger, and In planting in the field some planters the California crate is larger still; but the prefer the double rows, some the single. experience of the past few years has In the single row the plants are simply shown that the Sanford crate is the one set six inches apart, rows three feet that meets the popular demand and gives apart. In the double row two rows are the best satisfaction, and I believe it set six inches apart and the plants set in would be advisable for all growers to dethe rows six inches apart, alternately. cide on that size of crate. When ready for market the root is cut Experiments made the past year seem with a knife, superfluous leaves are taken to show that with care plants can be set off in the field, and almost all the roots out in the field direct from the seed bed are taken off, a few fibrous roots being and thus save the expense and labor of left. The plants are placed in boxes and transferring and putting out in prick carried to the packinghouse, where they beds, but I am not yet satisfied on this are assorted according to size an( packsubject and would not like to recomed in boxes 8x2Ox27 inches, each box mend it; another season, however, will being marked the exact number of dozprobably decide the matter. I do not ens and fractional parts of dozens it consee that I can say anything further in tains. The best marketable sizes are relation to the growing of plants, save from three and one-half to six dozens, that an abundant supply of water is abinclusive; the larger and smaller sizes solutely necessary for success; therefore, usually sell for somewhat smaller price I would not advise anyone to undertake than the rest. The size of the crate that to grow celery save at points where a I have given is the size used here in Sanflow from artesian wells can be secured. REMARKS. Mr. White-The remark on charcoal Mr. Phelps-Charcoal has been used is erroneous. What we use is cinders. largely because there is not enough cinCharcoal is rather an expensive product, ders furnished. but cinders are given to us.

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Citrus Fruits from a Commercial Standpoint. REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE BY E. S. HUBBARD, CHAIRMAN. Mr. President and Members of the Florities of the fruit, lack of transportation, ida State Horticultural Society--Laand the low prices resulting from these dies and Gentlemen: conditions, have produced a state of afAs the Society's committees on Disfairs resembling what prevailed in Floreases and Insects, Cold Prevention, Ferida just before the '95 freeze, and there tilizers, Marketing, etc., cover special is no doubt California is suffering from fields affecting citrus fruits, and it has overproduction of comparatively inferior been impracticable for this committee to fruit. The tariff has practically shut out submit a combined report. it has proved Mediterranean oranges under these cirnecessary for the members, so far as poscumstances, but foreign lemons still arsible, to report separately. Therefore, rive in quantity, and with climatic condiunder the chang-ing fruit market conditions similar to those countries it would tions, I have thought it well to take a sIem California should give more attengeneral view of the field and to consider tion to lemon culture, and I think she is as far as possible the future prospects of doing so. The California oranges are citrus growing in Florida. marketed mainly in winter and spring, Our country is in a prosperous condibut there are others that are in market tion, and the demand for fruits, both as earlier. There is a small section suited necessary, healthful components of diet, for orange culture in Arizona that proand as luxuries, is increasing faster than duces early fruit of good quality resemthe population, but the supply is also bling Florida's; and this fruit will always making colossal strides, and careful confind a ready market in the mountain sideration should be given by every incities. telligent fruit grower to the general conThe Mexican fruit is also early and its editions in determining the special variculture in that country is increasing, aleties it will pay him best to cultivate. though the orange worm is also spreadFirst in present production of citrus ing and may require prohibitory legislafruits stands California, with a crop of tion to keep it out of this country. oranges that was estimated for this year Then we have the West Indian fruit at approximately eight millions of boxes. for early competition. Jamaica has a But unusual wet weather and frosts that varied climate and produces fruit that damaged the keeping and carrying qualaverages well with Florida seedlings,

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30 F1LORIDA STATE HORTICU)LTVRAL SOCIETY though light colored and usually insipid weather, which often produces soft, in midwinter. We may look for increascreased fruit, and to the rough handling ing imports from that island. Porto Rico in packing. Something at least is wrong is also spoken of as a competitor. I am when regularly packed fruit, not culls, informed, however, that the territory on is repacked in Jacksonville with loss, and the north side of the island that has sufthen shrinks tell to twenty per cent. in ficient rainfall and lies flat enough for three or four days while the retailer is cultivation and convenient to transportadisposing of it ; or when a neighbor who tion is limited ; and although they would bought a box for his own use complained have an advantage over Jamaica in the that they specked so fast he and his wife tariff, it is unlikely they will compete in were kept busy eating rotten oranges till any quantity for some time to come. And the box was finished. lastly, Cuba is an unknown future quanNot all Floridas were like this, howtity. The reports as to near competition ever. An east coast packer who is noted from this quarter are conflicting. It is for using chemical fertilizers in growing true oranges are found growing all over and extreme care in handling his fruit the island, but as yet there are no reguhad a half box of a consignment that larly set bearig orange groves. andl ow reached Jacksonville the 3rd of Decemning to the general clayev nature of the her overlooked in the salesroon, and the soil, which is mud if worked in the rainy gentleman who bought it the 1st of season and bakes during the (ry season, March found only two spoiled oranges. it is doubtful if oranges can be grown successfully convenient to transportation Orange growers must be careful not except in limited areas that are susceptito get conceited. Many of us live among ble to irrigation. our trees all the year round, and we culThe banana is the great competitor tivate and fertilize, pet and nourish them of the apple and also of the orange, and till we almost worship them: and when as reciprocity treaties with low tariffs are the fruit matures we sample it with likely to be the programme, we will gusto and declare it cannot be equalled probably suffer as much from competiin the State of Florida. Then we may tion with cheap bananas from Cuba as gather it carefully, cutting all the stems from oranges. And then there are the tight to the calyx, handle it like eggs, West Indian limes. grade it according to our own ideas of appearance, put it up in neat boxes with FLORIDA ORANGES GO WRONG. fancy wraps, and though it may go in good order the buyer at the other end But with all this present and future of the line may think some other fellow's competition to contend with, Florida the fruit looks better and tastes finer and past season proved to be her own worst give him a higher price for it. enemy. The bulk of the crop this year I am sure we all feel thankful for the was in South Florida, and some people comparative immunity from cold the say South Florida fruit never did carry past winter. Trees in my neighborhood well; but probably this season's losses that were boxed or tented came through were largely due to the unusually wet all right and now look almost as well

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fLORIPA TA!T, 110 OfRTIC(CLYLRAL SOElTY 31 as the unprotected ones, whilC trees unUold plan followed by many growers der large sheds bean growing as a rule seems desirable yet-to grow half or earlier than those outside. I wo-thirds of early oranges to be shipped The question therefore arim-_ whfher before Christmas, and the remainder with seasons averaging like the pasi ity later %arieties either in sheltered locayears shedding in the long run r ; I! va:ions vshere open tires can he used, or rieties will pay. It is true that Lte runder sheds. if the grower can afford it. an ges can be carried through cold snapI.s "oie seasons early oralges may pay in sheds without being frosted. aid it best and again the late varieties. would seem to be only desirahe iCTr vaIn any case. choice varieties only rietics like Hart's Late Brazilian. VaK should he grown, and cultivation, ferticia late. Kings and pom elos. lzin g and packing should aim at quality With early varieties whose irit is rather than quantiy. taken from the trees before Ciri i rra s And don't forget the old stan Ila rdvag(d banking g w-il keel) the 1 ud m reties (1f round orang.es. There is a tenbeinglost with frosts liter than the tir t Kency to gro to extremes in planting Satof February, while before that mc the Sumias. Tan ger ies. Klings and pomelos. danger of damagee to tops is small, and There may 1be seasons when yon)i wish even if the tops get frozen back they \N ill your whole grove \a\s bdi(lled to one of begin hearing in a year again, aind he these fancy specialties, but I have never risk will average no greater 1thn in seen a season vet when round oranges, peach growing at the North. judiciously handled, did not bring profitable returns. And remember that refrirerator trans'rHE QUE5TION OF FUTURE P C ( F(1 portation an( cold st(>rage are going to i c the great perishable provision and The question of future ptc(uction fruit trade equalizers of the future, and therefore seems to be along lines similar that Hawaii, Japan. the Orient and even to those of the past. the southern hemisphere will sell(] kidWith present and prospectlVe c( ipcglove oranges and pomelos to supply our tition in both early and late oranges, the markets. REPORT BY B. M. HAMPTON OF THE COMMITTEE. While I do not claim to be an expert conditions of soil and cliniate-that to on citrus fruits, I have had some cpeattempt to tell you all I don't know of rience in this line both in California and this industry would simply be out of the in Florida. For the last ten years I question, in the short time the session of have been growing them in Florida, and this meeting will be held. I think I may say with success. But the It is needless to say that the culture cultivation of the citrus fruits extends of the citrus fruits is fast assuming its over such a wide area-they are grown old time importance and on a more adunder such varied circumstances an( vanced scale of knowledge and enlight-

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32 FLORIDA ST ATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY enment, so that one who thought he proper fertilizing and the proper utilizing knew about all there was to it before the of our many friends, there will be but litfreeze of '95 now may find himself in a tle use for the questionable practice of quandary as to just what to do for the spraying. best interest of himself and his trees, unMy especial experience in this line is der the changed circumstances. that until I took more care of my friends And with the increase of the industry and studied and experimented more with comes the increase of the insect pests. the fertilizing of my trees, I made but So we have the scale, the white fly, etc., little headway against my enemies. Now to contend with. Then we have mal de I trust I have put my spray putp aside goma, foot rot, die back and so on, until for good. Foot rot I have never had in it makes one dizzy to think about them my grove, and dieback but little. But I and their cause and cure. can get them whenever I want them, by Oh, now we are coming to the gist of simply giving my trees plenty of some the subject-the cause and cure--and so organic fertilizer. we have the resin wash, the kerosene I know of nothing that will cause you emulsion, etc. I (lst tout can acto have a full crop of the various ills that us meoth at don't think you ae a the citrus trees are heir to, more surely of egotism when I say he is a than to stuff them with an organic fertigruntfeel too sure of his lizer; that is, fertilizer composed mostly ground on this select. from material from organic sources. There was a time when I thought that This can go o record, and time will to spray with some of the many insectiprove I am right. cides was the proper thing to do. But Now, as to the best mode of producnow-well, in the light of increasing tion, I will just say I have had but little knowledge I feel like saying-Don't! experience so far as protecting citrus And I believe it is becoming the idea of trees; yet so far as I can learn, I was the advanced growers of the State to use about the first to use a tent with a lamp less and less of these sprays and to search inside to keep off the cold. more and more for, and to encourage Years ago I used various devices for our friends, both insect and fungus covering plants and trees to protect them growth. Here, I believe, is the line of from the cold, but in December, 1894, thought that it behooves us to investimy wife and I made tents out of sheets gate more fully. Now, if I leave this adfrom the beds in the house. These I put vice on record, to use less of these sprays over some tropical or melon pawpaw and to search for and to utilize more and trees, then I lit a lamp and set it in tile more your insect and fungus friends, I tent under the tree. I found I could prodon't believe the future generations will duce almost any desired degree of heat altogether condemn me. And in connecin a few minutes; so, after experimenttion with our insect pests and the vaing with them for a time, I set them to rious ailments the citrus trees are subject burn for the night. This was a grand to, comes the fertilizer question. And success; not a leaf was touched, and I here I may well pause before I go on recbelieve those were the only trees of the ord. But it is my firm belief that with kind left alive in the county.

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FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIITY 33 But as to the matter of protection, as I being injured, and I was told they kept have had but little practical experience, I the temperature at 34 degrees in the will leave that for Mr. Hubbard and Mr. groves, whilst it was 25 degrees outside Painter to say what they think best for there was quite a breeze going, too. North Florida. So far as South Florida And so it seems small wood fires and is concerned, numerous small wood fires plenty of them as a rule is all that will be wll be found the cheapest and best. I needed in this section on the north line have seen acres of groves fired of a night of South Florida, to save either bud, when the trees were in bud and bloom, bloom or fruit from cold. with entire success, not a bud or a twig The Florida Orange. A DISCUSSION. Mr. Butler-I notice that the speaker Mr. Carter-I am from South Florida seems to be under the impression that and I was made sad by the first article the South Florida orange would not 0n the subject that condemned South keep as well as the North Florida iFlorida oranges as not keeping well; orange. I think the South Florida and the comparison between South Flororange will keep as well as the North ida oranges and East Coast oranges was Florida orange when g-roXVn under the very much in favor of the East Coast. same conditions. The fault was not with We are envious of the East Coast down the South Florida orange, but with the there, but when the gentleman told us South Florida man. For years we have that in Jacksonville, where they have all been getting high prices for oranges. kinds of oranges, people would persist The shipper would sometimes get $2 on in eating South Florida oranges, even the tree. The trees were fertilized highrotten I felt that South Florida was not lv. Last spring we had excessive rain. so far behind after all. I wonder if the With excess of fertilizer, the nitrogen proposition would not take, that we get had a tendency to make the orange grow some of these men of brains to go to softer than usual. Many were packed South Florida to raise oranges on sciengreen and a large portion were packed tific principles; and on behalf of South very carelessly. I have seen oranges Florida, I extend an invitation. picked from the trees wet, dealers buyMr. Porcher-Mr. Hubbard stated, I ing and packing as cheaply as possible. think, that some thought that South Those who took care in packing have Florida oranges would not carry well.; had no complaint of the condition. I he did not compare them with North know of growers who never heard of a Florida or East Coast oranges, and it complaint from their orange. was only spoken of as last season. And

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34 PLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIET17 as a matter of fact, I think, from Mr. Mr. Adams--My grove is on high pine Butler's remarks as to bad packing and land. I began shipping oranges for myearly shipping, that that was the cause; self in small lots about the middle of Noand that it was not the fault of the fruit. vember. I finished last Thursday, havMr. S. B. Mann-During a late visit ing shipped every week. I sold to a Cinto Manatee county I learned for the first cinnati house about 2500 boxes. That time something of the white fly, somehouse wrote back after they were all thing that has never occurred to me in shipped that there was not one rotten Volusia county; and 1 feel quite interestone in a carload that came from my ed to know more about it, and I rise to grove. Now, there was another grove, ask any one from that part of the State one mile south of mine, with everything to give us their best remeyv and the equal to mine, but the same house wrote probabilities of its spread; whether it is nic that 50 per cent. of that car was rotlikely to cone this way. ii so, what is ten. Their own man picked them and best to do for it ? packed them in each grove; but they F. D. Vaite-in regard to the carrynever had packed a box of oranges beIng and keeping qualities of the Florida fore they came to my grove in their lives oranges in South Florida, I would say and they learned something before they that last winter in the Manatee section, went to the other fellow's. I kicked from with rains coming every two or three morning to night and when they asked days, we had a chance to test the keepme if I wanted my name on the boxes I ing and carrying qualities of our fruit said no, I would not allow a box of orwith a system of tlnder-ground drainage, anges the way von pack them to have and we found that the fruit picked early my name on them. I have yet to hearin the season (October and November) of one single orange that went from my rom the grove nilder-drained during the place rotting. A house in Providence, summer carried well. As the fruit in anthe next to the last shipment, stated that other grove seemed to be more advanced they were the finest they had seen n ripening, we left that in the underthrouoh the winter. Now, I believe rainedd grove and commenced shipping there is not an orange in the world that lie fruit from grove number two. leavwill carry or ship better than the South Lng about three hundred boxes of orFlorida orange, but you can't handle anges on the trees of the under-drained them like r ocks. )ortion. On the ith of January we I)r. Kerr-I had a letter front a comncominenced shipping from tils grove mission house in Philadelphia some time ;again, and Mr. Preston. of Providence, since statiiig that they had handled very ~. I., wrote us that not i per cent. had few oranges froni Florida this winter; decayed. The fruit in grove liumlber two those that they had received gave Florcommenced creasing badly by the 25th ida rather a black eye in regard to qual<4 November, and fully i per cent. deity. I did not like to hear that, so I ?ayed in transit, showing that excess of wrote back and stated that probably they moisture and lack of proper drainage has were Jamaica oranges brought on a boat a great (leal to do with the carrying qualto Jacksonvile ad shipped from there as ties of the Florida fruit. Florida oran ges. 1 1 believe they have

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FLORIDA STATL' HORTICULTURAL S'OC1ETY 35 good oranges in South Florida. Indeed Before the freeze. an(d perhaps at presI have been there and seen them, but ent the freight rates are very high from there is no doubt that we must Imake an way down on the West Coast, and the effort to put our fruit in the market in people there had not given very much the best possible manner which will atattention, as a rule, to orange growing; tract the bulyers and not bring disgrace few there had studied into the matter as upon our state. As far as I an concernthoroughly as they had on the East ed myself. I shipped some oranges this Coast, where many had got it down to a year, and the reports came back that pretty fine point. Twenty-five years ago they were all first-class in every respect. Indian river fruit had the reputation of But I gave them all away. No\\, in rekeeping very poorly, but we have learngard to the paper just read, there is much ed how to grow it to stand shipping that I believe to be truth. Still, a little now. After the freeze the prices were spraying seems to me is good eii U1c'in e such that orange culture developed very when the insects have the leaves, bi much on the West Coast, and I under, there is a tendelicy in Florida a] nit stand there are a good many (lown there these insects to let them go: something who went right to cow-penning their is going to clear them off. Vhen I groves and supplying them with nitrofirst came here himself I found the ineas gen through other organic sources in were intolerable, butit I have geten ac(Jantities that softened the fruit, made customer to them and I -(e Hothing oranges of poor qInality, anid such as ag-ainst them to-lav. \V( Jld not stan(l to be shipped. We all kin w f1hat such result will surelv fo"llIc w WEST CO)AsT VS. EAST COAST CRANCE~s. A an excess (f such food supply. Now those who are the m 1st MtellMr. Hart-I doii't think any ne Ie gently initeirested in oranoe culture fro tions the ability of some South Fornda1 t lat section come here to iur meetings or West Florida growers to g -(w pood and I have no doubt in my Iiiind at all oranges. anl gr w them so thIey will h ut that they IaVe shipped successfnlly staiid shipping, but we have hal fe'rul and their fruit has arrived in good condireports from the North on riuit this tion. That is simply because they were inyear, and the quality of tlie Fl irida orterested enough to stiudv into the matter an ge has been reported so avd that I nlld get down to the fine points. as hare ar by the ppers that Chica refused I l e olderr growers in the old Oraiinge Belt for two (r three weeks to receive anv --and one of the hue points is fertilizin1" Florida oranges or to handle them. That properly, and another is handling propis an awful laclk eve for (mr fruit. I erly. Many dl iwi that way have inquired into the matter as m11uch as I han ded their fruit carelessly. The could, through sources frm which the East Coast don't claim to have all the Northern markets got their supply. and brains. They simply claim that some cf so far as I could learn the East Coast them have had more experience than the stood ill in transit and in market as well general run of those down on the West as ever, so the fruit that decaved must Coast, but there are, I am told, many have come from other Parts of the state. there who have never i ven fruit g -row-

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3G FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY ing careful study, and it is only the high in December, nearly or quite five months prices since the freeze that caused them ago. Here are others not dried at all to ship largely. Most fruit that has and as fresh, firm and plump as if just been properly handled has shipped well picked from the tree. This fruit was also this year. My fruit has shipped well, picked in December. I had intended to and there has been no complaint whatlay aside a lot of them, but owing to my ever, and much of it was wet when I friends' appreciation of their fine qualipicked it. Many do not dare to pick ties I failed to do so. These here shown fruit when wet, so they have their pickare culls left over from last year's pickers wait until it has dried on the trees. ing. The way I handle my fruit I can put it Oranges will keep if you fertilize them in my packing-house and get it dried off right and handle them right, if you don't in one-quarter of the time that it would give them too much organic matter to take if left on the trees. It goes into supply their nitrogen. I have not had large trays with slatted bottoms and any preparation put on these or anything hung in the middle, so as to tip one way, of that kind, but here is a point, those then the other (illustrating); then open have been wet nearly all the time with the windows and doors and in a very few pure water. They were probably wet minutes the oranges are dry on one side, when they were picked, and they have then tip the trays the other way and the been ever since. Oranges kept a long oranges roll over and dry the other side. time lose their brilliancy of flavor, so that The grading takes me about three days you could not keep them five months and in that time they cure thoroughly. and still have a first-class marketable 1 can take an orange, run a knife blade fruit, although they are fine in appeararound it so as to cut through the outer ance. You can keep them perhaps a cuticle, leaving it in these trays, and in month or six weeks, possibly longer, and three days it is ready to pack, an airstill have fine marketable fruit. (Orange tight coating having formed over the is cut and found to be full and heavy.) cut that heals the wound and puts the Question-How did you keep it wet? orange in perfect shape to ship. If this Mr. Hart-I have received letters was done and the orange was packed at from parties in Florida saying, "If you once for shipment, it would decay and will agree to pay me $25 or $Ioo, as the spoil others around it. If there is any case may be, I will give you a recipe by orange so badly injured that it cannot which you can keep fruit in fine markethe repaired by a free circulation of air, able shape for months." But I have decay proceeds, and the injury is discovnever given them the $25 or the $ioo. I ered before packing, as it has time to get am not going to try that on you with so bad that I cannot miss it. Therefore my process. I will give it to you free only sound fruit goes into the box. next year because I am interested in the Here I show you one of my oranges prosperity of this Society and its memsomewhat dried up and yet round until bers, but I wish to experiment more on now I think there is a soft place on one it. It is so simple and inexpensive that, side that shows it will soon decay. should I give it to you now, you would (Hands it up.) That orange was picked not appreciate its real value. I am not

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FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 37 making any money out of it-don't want sometimes it almost took on the form of to, except by holding fruit for high a scar. prices-and I will give you the same Mr. Hart-That would occur when chance I have of doing this after this there was a dieback tendency in the tree. year. But wet oranges can be kept. I It always seemed to me that was caused feel assured that the bad keeping by the thrips. qualities of fruit that went down last winDr. Inman-I think probably between ter must be from some other cause; or the oranges on the East and on the West wet fruit is not allowed to (Iry properly Coast there is very little difference. I before it is shipped to market. I have have shipped quite a lot of fruit this seamany times taken injured fruit, laid it son, and( of my oranges I have not lost a up on a shelf in my packing-house, and box by decay. In March I shipped orhad it keep perfectly until dried up, anges to Columbus, Ohio. Last season showing that it should go to market in I shipped oranges in April which were good shape if properly cured. lised in August, anrd not three oranges Dr. Kerr-Next year you are going to in the box were decayed. impart to us this information, and do you Mr. Porcher-This gives ime an opintend to send around samples of the portunity of ,,peaking as to the thrips. boxes of oranges that we may test them Thrips can be controled by spraying to as I did, or not? And another tming I some extent, at least. On pine land wish to know. is it possible that there they will get away from you, but on hamwas ever a cloud upon the East Coast mock land the use of caustic potash and oranges? whale oil soap will destroy them without Mr. Hart-The Turnbull hammock danger. and no marks will be upon the oranges shipped very poorly twenty-five Iruit. In addition to this, when the bosyears ago, so much so that it was considsois fall and the little oranges are as ered about an even question whether inall as a pea. You can detect the work they could be got into market in sound done by the thrips at once. In the same condition or not ; but it is not so now. way that you destroy these thrips you kill the young of the common scale, you PLEMISHES CAUSED BY THE TTIRIPS. destroy the purple mite, you prevent I danger from the red spider or hairy mite, Mr. Butler-In the last remarks the and you give your trees a health and gentleman forgot that a large proportion vigor that usually nothing else can give. of the South Florida growers were formIn other words, no insect, enemy or erly North Florida growers and went friend, working in conjunction, can posdown there. I don't know if this disease sibly live. And I, therefore, say that (blemish or scar) attacks us much, and with spraying, if done intelligently, the I would like Mr. Hart to give the cause thrips can be done away with. When of that disease. we come to spray and you ask a man Mr. Hart-I always concluded that what he has (lone, lie will say two or that was caused by the thrips in the three times in a year, when fifteen would bloom. be best at start in some cases, and I may Mr. Butler-I thought so. although say six to ten times a year. At this

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38 FLOIDA STATE E HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY statement the question will be raised as caustic potash to whale oil soap is one to to expense. When you consider that the four, that is, a quarter of a pound to a market will give you a fine price for gallon of water. That proportion was large fruit, bright fruit; that an orange sprayed upon the bloom without referaffected by scale is injured in its quality, ence to them. It went right into the and sum the whole matter up, you will bloom. We were spraying for the purfind about 200 per cent. against you, for ple mite and the trees were heavily laden any grove that will produce from five with bloom. A bee will be attracted hundred boxes up; and you will see that very often by the disagreeable smell. you are in pocket a profit of 700 per cent. The thrips is destroyed, and I am quite on the most costly spraying you can use. sure it would be very difficult to find In my experience of past seasons I was thrips upon the bloom in my grove, and troubled for years with scale. Now, in as far as I have been able to examine the about 2,600 trees I doubt if you could fruit, there is not an orange that has a find many scale from end to end. thrips upon it, or is thrips marked. Mr. Hart's position is a very strong Mr. Phelps-This orange that Mr. one. I have seen the results he has obHart has handed up to the paltform as tained, and they are good. I argue, Mr. being wet so long, I find by actual test Hart's location is unique. I can show of it that there is at least 50 per cent. of groves in my section that have never water in the juice, and a large amount of been sprayed and that have had the scale acid has gone to the rind. Otherwise for fifteen years (ever since I have been the orange seems to be well preserved. in the State.) I have seen trees absoThe juice is very thin indeed and the lutely killed with the scale, and I have acid that gives the flavor has ben abseen them thus not in one case but in a sorbed largely in the rind. number. In Mr. Hart's location, were I Mr. Hart-Do you think the flavor is putting out a grove next to his, I would less than it would have been if dry? follow his methods, but I do say that Mr. Phelps-It is probably better prespraying should be looked upon as a served than if left to evaporate. fixed charge upon the growing of fine Mr. Porcher-I am agent of the Infruit, and that with it you can obtain dedian river orange growers. As said sired results all over the State without agent it is my duty to do or to have done reference to location. the work of inspection. We have found a variety of conditions as to carrying SPRAYING IN THE BLOOM. quality of fruit. We have not all perfect fruit. We have not all perfect carrying Mr. Waite-What effect does this fruit, and I must emphasize the fact that spraying have on bees and the setting of we do not claim to have all the brains of fruit? the State on the East Coast. We have Mr. Porcher-No bad effect on bees. found, however, that to refuse any form Even the spraying of water would have of organic matter in fertilizing has been had results generally on bloom. The absolutely our safeguard. Use chemical trees sprayed during bloom are heavily fertilizer and mulching. Take pine laden, however. The proportion of needles if you can't get anything better,

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FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIElTF 39 and use that in the groves around trees. treating dielback with Bordeaux mixture We have found that groves whose fruit discussed. A number of our members formerly would not carry can now be have tried that since, and would it not be shipped across the water. The past well for them to give their experience season I sold twelve boxes of fruit out pro and con after applying it? of a grove that was noted for having Mr. Hart-I will say that the whole bad carrying fruit. It was put on a idea of cure by spraying the tree tops is tramp steamer, along with cotton, and entirely contrary to my theory of the distook twenty days to get to its destination ease of dlieback. Through the advice of in France. But we went further and inMr. Porcher, i tried it. I regret to say tiredd particularly that we might learn that the result in ny case was what I as to the condition, and there was no deexpected it to be, so far as dieback was cayed fruit. That fruit I packed for a concerned. But it has been more than neighbor and sold for him: it was not that and has done more harm than I did quite like Mr. Hart's, but somewhat on expect, a good deal. I expected no benthe same plan as to fertilizing. and in eficial resUlts from the Bordeaux mixthat case in the fertilizing there was simture when I applied it and got none, so ply a change from the use of cotton seed far as I can see, but there are after efmeal to the use of nitrate of soda and a fects which have been quite serious. small percentage of sulphate of ammoThat is. the purple mite has come on to nia with bone black and high grade sulthose sprayed trees and they are very hate of potash. The consequences bad on them. Wherever I used Borshow clearly with us that this fertilizer deaux they are much worse than elsecorrected those conditions and made the where. WVherever I used that spray is fruit carry. the place where you will find what scale Walter Cooper-We have not been insects I have. If there is anything which called upon to go into this subject on will encourage the scale, it is spraying high pine lands in Lake county. I have with the Bordeaux mixture. But I have inquired diligently around in the neightalked with a number of intelligent orborhood in regard to anything of interange growers who have reported it quite est in this matter, and we have never successful in curing dieback in their thought of the scale or insects that have hands. been successfully combatted elsewhere. Mr. Porcher-I don't know whether So we did not need to go into the subject the horticulturists are aware of the very extensively and I will let the matter origin of that idea or not. With us it close at this point, and feel satisfied that came from a German, a Mr. Froscher. we shall have a much more complete reHis experiments were not entirely sucport from some of the members on this cessful with others, because he sold the subject. Bordeaux mixture, and it would remain two weeks before it was used and thereBORDEAUX MFXTURE FOR DIEBACK. fore was useless. As soon as the mixture was properly made and applied Mr. Butler-Those of us attending the promptly, there was no question as to its meeting last year heard the subject of results. But if we will use potash and

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40 FLORIDA STATE IIORTICLTURAL SOCIETY mulch the trees and cease cultivating, to my trees, I think twenty or probably the Bordeaux proves a complete curatwenty-five days apart. I used the rosin tive of the red rust. An application of wash afterwards. it, and then repeat it in ten days, would Mr. Porcher -Bordeaux mixture cause the scaliness to be cleared off and should not be used too often; three apthe fruit made shipable; but at the same plications in twelve months would be time where we spray with the Bordeaux sufficient. Four pounds copper sulphate mixture we should follow it in a short to six of lime, so as to give plenty of time with something to destroy scale. If lime. The mixture wants to be used as it were followed by a spray as an insectiquickly as possible after being made. cide we should not have the scale. It Mr. Hubbard-Has the Bordeaux was not of my origination at all it was mixture any effect on the flavor of the simply my following out of another's fruit ? ideas. Mr. Porcher-None at all. Mr. Hardee-I have used the BorMr. Butler-Of course, when we all deaux mixture. Mr. Froscher wanted heard what Mr. Froscher's mixture was, me to use it to introduce it. I had such we believed it to be contrary to our little confidence in any application of the ideas, but the word of an honest man is kind that I declined to use it. believing sacred, therefore I used it. I sprayed that it was a root disease entirely. I ten acres that was beginning to have a mulched some of my trees, others I could little dieback and it helped them. I also cultivate, but the dlieackl seemed to get believe that it has a tendency to cure worse. Mr. Porcher, who had used the rust. Bordeaux mixture as prepared by Mr. Mr. Porcher--When this question of Froscher, after he had tried it, told me Bordeaux mixture came up I wrote to how to use it. I prepared it and used it the Department at Washington and they and I must confess this: I did not have replied that their investigation showed much confidence in it, but after the first that our trouble was unquestionably a application I put on the trees, when the sap trouble; in other words that it came fruit was about half grown, it instantly from the root. You can take a tree up, stopped the cracking, and I was so well remove it to another location and it does pleased with the application that I gave not have the red rust. I state that it is it a second time, and many of the trees a fungous trouble which is corrected by that were inclined to crack were cured. this mixture. The Department will tell I would say that the Bordeaux mixture you that it is not a fungous trouble. They is a very good cure for dieback. But it will also tell you the Bordeaux mixture must be followed by an insecticide to kill is a fungicide. I don't know what more scale. I have a number of neighbors to say, save that I have had good results around me that have also used the mixwith Bordeaux mixture. ture, and there is not one of them that I I have corresponded with many and have talked with but who was well I can find in no case a man who will give pleased with the result, but they all agree any explanation beyond the fact that that it must be followed tip with some inpossibly there were ulterior things that secticide. I made only two applications have helped us out.

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FLORIDA STAT'I' HORTICULTURAL NOCIETY 41 Mr. Hart-I will meet two of the to take up the nitric acid, and svarmth points that have been brought up. My and moisture increase in their action. Bordeaux mixture was made fresh for They cannot work in cold weather and each barrel full and applied within an they cannot work without moisture. hour after it was made. It was made Both conditions are just right for them right or else the Government experts in Mr. Porcher's shedded grove. Borare wrong, for I tried all their tests, and deaux was applied, went into the ground therefore I cannot admit that it was and checked the disease. A fungicide wrong in any way: and yet it did not would check that development and in bring the results that some seem to have that way, it seems to me, it must bring obtained. This was done early in June. about the change. if it does any good The dieback continued right through for at all. the rest of the year and for the next Mr. Waite-Had you used nitrate of growth; so much so that on the trees soda, do you think you would have had that were affected the summer growths any bad results? were reduced to almost nothing. They Mr. Hart-I don't think I would, but are cured now. I cured them by the old I can't waste money or even run the risk methods. I am sure we can cure dieof harm by using more nitrogen on these back without the Bordeaux mixture, but trees until its need is indicated by the it may take a year to do it. In one corcolor of the foliage and character of the ner of one of my oldest groves there growth. were about forty trees that were badly The point was brought tip about affected with dieback. I used the Borspraying the bloom. That matter has deaux mixture on part of two rows of been so thoroughly tested that there is them, and I treated these and all the no question but that it does harm. In rest but three trees by leaving off cultiNew York State the horticulturists were vation and giving them potash and phosso sure that spraying should be done durphoric acid only. They immediately got ing blooming time that they finally got well and are now almost equal to the a law through the legislature allowing rest of the grove. The difference bespraying at that time for experimental tween the trees that I continued to culpurposes, expecting to prove their side tivate and the others that were treated so as to allow anyone to spray then if by non-cultivation, potash and phosthey chose. Scientists of Cornell and phoric acid, now is that the latter are others took hold of the matter, expecttwo-thirds larger than those three. But ing to get results favoring this, but when last fall I treated those the same and they finally brought in their report it they are now healthy. The only way was such as to satisfy every one that it that I can see that Bordeaux mixture was imprudent to spray at the time of can do any good is to go into the root bloom and that the spray just before or and there limit the action of the soil ferjust after would answer all purposes. ments, the excessive activity of which They proved conclusively that spraying causes the disease. There are three sets fruit blossoms destroyed the potency of of them that work over organic matter much of the pollen and thereby greatly before they get it in shape for the tree reduced the crop. Hundreds of tests

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42 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCTTY were made and all showed injury to the have dieback. Young trees (lied down interest of the fruit grower as well as to the ground and I quit cultivating and the bee-keeper. using organic fertilizer and I cured the Mr. Porcher-I am not in favor of dieback. Chickens roosted in the trees spraying the bloom. I only cited an inand caused the dieback, and I believe stance because it was unusual. I was the cure of dieback is in stopping the use forced to spray on account of the purple of organic substances. I cured that tree mite. with sulphate of potash and nothing else. Mr. Hart-Scientists now agree upon Mr. Phelps-I believe that if we use that matter. You can spray one side of sulphate of ammonia alone, a small per a tree when in bloom and leave the other cent. would do no harm, but I don't beside unsprayed, and the side which is lieve nitrate of soda is anything but a sprayed will produce no crop and the forcer. I don't believe in its use. I other side will produce fruit. have tested it this year on celery. I The dieback was immediately followhave put on five pounds every ten days ing the freeze of 1895, and these trees until I reached sixty pounds. Alongwere set in 1885, budded trees on sour side of it I have put a fertilizer composed stock. Mr. Porcher stated that if he of phosphoric acid from bone, sulphate were in my locality he would probably of ammonia and potash, and I cannot do as I do in regard to the matter of see at the end of a few months any effect scale. He may have the idea in his head from the nitrate of soda except that it that I have not had experience anywhere tastes very salt. I believe that you can else, but I think I may safely say that I produce disease with sulphate of ammohave studied this matter on all classes of nia if you use it alone. But, where my orange lands and I may as safely say that poultry house had been I have always my environments or my particular land used sulphate of ammonia to counteract have very little to do with it. the effect of nitrogen. Mr. Butler-There is one important Dr. Kerr-Mr. Hart, as my friend on point never brought out in regard to sulthe left justly states, has a grove that is phate. I have produced dieback; can do unique. I have never been at the place, it any time on my soil. Even where we but I have been along the shore, and he have none I have produced dieback by speaks about his oranges being damp sulphate of ammonia. for so long a time. I have been along Mr. Porcher-Mine are old trees and the coast when I thought everything they are on shell hammock land. It is was wet, and I presume that has a great what we term dangerous land. You deal to do with the keeping of his orhave to be always watchful about shell anges. Now, on high pine land we don't hammock. I don't think I recall seeing require to have boards under the feet of any red rust on Mr. Hart's trees recently our horses when we plow. and I wish to emphasize the fact that we Mr. Hart-You would have to dig have in Mr. Hart one of our most caredown twelve feet to get to water in my ful and observant men. grove, Doctor. Mr. Gaitskill-I have shell hammock I want to call attention to the disease land and there was a time when I did of blight. Years ago at Orlando I think

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PLORIDA STATP, HORTICULTURAL SoC)gTY 43 perhaps I was the cause of this Standing THE WHITE FLY. Committee on Insects and Diseases being originated, largely for the purpose Mr. Reasoner-The white fy in our of studying blight, and we got the Govneighborhood seems to have been about ernment to send down experts here to caught up with by the different fungi, study it, and they, up to the freezes of and we no longer fear it, and the best '94-'95, had studied every part of the proof of that is that there are one huntree, leaf, bark, etc., and they had not dred acres near us being planted with yet got any light as to the cause of it or citrus trees. In most of the groves any possible cure, but they had many near us we immediately caught up with experiments on foot to test the diseased the spread of the white fly. There is trees and learn its nature, and if it had practically very little of it there. In not been for the freeze I think that we fact, it is about gone. The longest time should have found whether the disease that any of our planters has had the was in the root or branches, bark or sap, white Hy has been about two years, and and possibly found out what was the there is niot one of the groves but what cause. The blight is with us yet, and it has been cleared of white fly. I can say is the most serious disease we have to that the Foster groves are where the contend with. The Government then white fly first came from, and the Foster took their experts North, expecting to groves have turned out from eight to carry on the work from there, but from ten thousand dollars worth of fruit. lack of appropriations the work has been There has been no spraying there whatmostly dropped. We must make an efever. We sprayed for several years fort to have it taken up again. without success. The President-An appropriation has Mr. Waite-Speaking of spraying, we been made which becomes effective the had about sixty acres that we found last first of July and the work will be reyear was covered with white fly, small sumed. trees about six feet high, and I was talkMr. Porcher-I would like to know ing with quite a number of gentlemen if anyone has ever found blight on low who had sprayed, and we came to the hammock land? conclusion that we would try spraying. Mr. Waite-We have found in laying We (lid so in November and December, our under-drains a layer of rock about using the rosin wash. In January we three or four inches thick, which covers gave it another application and in the over an area of about forty acres. Last spring the white fly was on the wing, and year we picked twenty-five boxes from we examined the trees and found no those trees. white fly excepting on large trees. Mr. Porcher-As a matter of fact, I Question-What was the extent of the think the "blight" is found on all soils damage done during the two years that except very low hammock. We are the white fly was present? growing trees that are old enough to Mr. Waite-There was only partial have blight, but I have yet to recall a loss of fruit. Where the white fly was case of low hammock with blight. worst the trees dropped part of the crop.

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44 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY The trees were decidedly damaged. white fly, Mr. Porcher thinks that if they Most of those trees had never been had sprayed from the beginning they pruned in the center, and had they been would have kept it down. Suppose pruned out properly, I don't think the they had sprayed from the beginning. white fly would have effected any damThey would be spraying now. They age. The very thickness of the tree would have gone to immense expense kept out the air, but the tree in general and cost with white fly. was not damaged. The largest grove near us where they Mr. Porcher-We have years when have made a careful study of spraying is the scale is more prevalent than others. about twenty acres, and that has been It has to go through a certain period. sprayed regularly for white fly for several I argue that there are periods when you years, and the cost of spraying has been have to submit to scale and white fly so heavy that the owners get but very before you get the assistance of the little out of the fruit, although they get fungi. In a period of say twenty-five very good crops. The cost of this conyears we have to pass through certain tinual spraying is very great. You have conditions of disaster before our friends to spray three or four times a year. Cost come to relieve us I argue for spraying is several hundred dollars and the profit as a thing to be done every year. I beis reduced to little. lieve that while you may destroy your Mr. Porcher-The cost of my sprayfriends, you are at the same time deing last year was $j8o, including everystroying your enemies. I submit that thing. they cannot grow grapes in any portion Mr. Stevens-1 would like to hear of the United States without spraying. something as to the mealy bug. In addition to that, here is the very Mr. Porcher-I can say that I entirely point I brought forward to emphasizeconquered it. It was only on two trees that while your friends are helping you, and it would get down between the atyour enemies are attacking you and leavtachment of the leaf and stem and was ing you in a very helpless condition. In very persistent, but we have finally conevery section of our State, if we had quered it. sprayed ever single month in the Mr. Adams-I cured it entirely with twelve, there would not be a white fly hard wood ashes, putting dry ashes on. in the State of Florida. If there was a Mr. W. H. Mann-I have had some law which made it obligatory upon all to little experience with them. I could not spray, there would not be an insect that kill them without killing the tree, and would trouble us in the whole State. finally I cut the trees to the ground. Mr. Hart-The loss of fruit is very Mr. Adams-I had the mealy bug on small under the plan that I advocate. one tree in my grove an( nowhere else. There will be in a grove of a thousand I dug it out and tried the dry ashes and trees two or three that will be bad with I never had any trouble with them. scale, and those two or three are the Sometimes I had to try the second time, only ones that will be injured, and that but they did the work. only for perhaps one season. With the

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Lettuce Culture Under Cover. 1V W. H. DRAEGER, OF GAINESVILLE. To grow lettuce under cover (cotton Plant twelve inches apart on the ridges. cloth), a person must have suitable soil. Lettuce should be set before the cover Lettuce likes rich, loamy, damp soil, frames are put down. A very desirable well drained, not subject to being watersized frame would be as follows: Have sog-ged after rains. To prepare for the frame twenty feet wide across the planting, have your soil well tilled, ferbed; have the cloth sewed in eight-yard tilizer thoroughly mixed with the soil; widths. For a twenty-foot bed have use a hig-h-grade fertilizer with an The center ridge stake about three feet analysis about as follows: Moisture. 7 to high ; the outside stakes about ten or 9 per cent.; available phos. acid, to 6 twelve inches high the ridge strip 1-2 per cent. ; insoluble phos. acid, 2 to 3 per 2x21 teet long. Put the ridge strip over cent. ammonia, 6 to 8 per cent. ; potash, the ridge stakes, bow down and nail to K20, 6 to 8 per cent. the ten-inch stake a board to fit the short Well-rotted compost is especially suitstake, nail on around the entire bed, so able for lettuce, with commercial fertithe cloth can be fastened on to the lizer added; 1.000 pounds to the acre boards. A good stout string should be should be sufficient, but great care must attached to the cloth at every stake, be taken to have it thoroughly mixed which can be put say five or six feet with the soil, especially if a liberal apart. The cloth must lap over the amount is used. Have it in the soil boards enough to keep the winds from some days before setting the plants, say getting under the cover: this is importfour or five (lays. ant. Care should be taken that the plants The bed the long way can be made as are young and strong, say from five to long as the person wishes it; but it is not six weeks old, as older plants are more practical to have beds too long, as the liable to run to seed or not head well. cloth is hard to handle, especially if there In preparing the land for the beds, they is much wind to contend with. The should be on a slight slope the narrow ridge stakes should be at least 2x2 way. Make the lands some wider than inches; in fact, all stakes should be 2x2 the bed proper; say allow a foot on each inches. The cloth can be tacked down side. List up ridges across the beds or tied to the center stake, as the person with a hand-plow about fifteen inches chooses. apart, smooth the lists (own to about The cloth should never be down only one and a half to two inches high. when there is danger of frosts or freez-

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4'LORIDA kTATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY ing or before heavy rains. The cloth perimenting with lettuce to know which will shed off a good deal of rain, as well will do the best in this climate. It is a as protect the lettuce from a beating plant that I think will yield as much benrain. efit to Florida, if properly cultivated, as Lettuce should be kept until well the celery is doing. The past season has headed and matured to insure good been one that has been most affected by prices. insects in any of the twenty-six that I Frame lettuce should be planted to have spent in Florida, on trees, ornacone off in December, January and Febrentals an( on vegetables. Usually I rmary, as it usually sells best during have grown with perfect impunity colthose months. Earlier or later than the lards, but during this year I have been above dates it generally does not bring unable to grow collards. They have !s "ood prices. been entirely consumed by insects. ButBig Boston variety is the fIavorie. terflies lay an egg that is very bad on lettuce and the cutworm is simply terriDISCUSSION. ble, and the enemy that we have most to combat in raising lettuce is the cutMr. Phelps-It is unfortunate that the worm. I saw last year where the lettuce man who wrote the paper is not here was left on the land. This year I saw to be questioned somewhat. V e cannot that land where the lettuce had been left ask questions on a paper that is simply over, not shipped, and I turned over a reaid. One question I would ask him lot of it, and I could scrape up the cutis, what is the necessity. in this climate, worms by the quart. If that debris had 0frisn lettuce under cover And I been burned it would have been differwould like to ask him, as it is contrary ent. to what we have heard here, why organMr. W\aitethink perhaps I can exic fertilizer should be used on lettuce. plain why the people of Gainesville grow I have raised a considerable aniout of lettuce under cover. It is to protect it lettuce in this climate myself, but 1 have from frost. I have seen lettuce fields inalways raised it outdoors. Last year I jure(l by frost to such an extent that at put out thirtv-eiglht rods and I Ilipped times it became unsaleable. At other in January a first-class lettuce. Sollm of times, after remaining in the field perthe heads were sent to Jacksonville. Iaps a week longer. one could brush shipped five tons from that oularter of away the leaves affected by the frost and an acre. I don't think I could have done ship it as second-grade. We have grown any better under the oreat expense of lettuce on Manatee plantations and sold cloth covering. This was raise, tntireit at $14 a crate. ly in the open, on land well draned, htit Mr. Embry-How much expense atwith tile underneath so that it could be tends the culture of an acre of lettuce to wet or drained( at 1my choice'. Let:uce put it on the market ? How are the does not require much moisture. 11 is seed beds put in ? Is it by turning or always 1est on the highest points in the other methods: and how soon are the field. I differ with hinm on t he point plants ready? Do they have to be transof Big Boston being the hest. I am e:plante(l, or are they put direct from the

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FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 47 seed be(, and how often is it cultivated stop. I think it is the best method. Mr. Phelps-There are no two people However, where the land has been tinder that cultivate lettuce alike. The majorcultivation a couple of years, I would ity of people make a seed bed and raise sow it in the check, and not have the it about two inches high ; put on the seed trouble of transplanting. Last year we and brush over very lightly. and in about realized about $r,ooo to an acre. The three weeks time from the time It is early lettuce did not bring as large a sowed it is readv to prick out. Sioie price. The midseason lettuce brought work it daily, others work it bult once; from four to five dollars a basket. In the and my experience is thai Ihose who first shipment, perhaps of twenty crates, have well fertilized with chemical fertiI got $3 per crate. I think Siooo gross lizer make as good lettuce from working per crate was what was generally realit once as from working it many times. ized, but it was an extraordinary season And my experience is, to work it with a as to prices. wheel hoe, run it through once and then Pineapples and Other Tropical Fruits. BY CYI US \-:. L '1LER, OF ST. PETE SBLRG. Mr. President, Ladies and ;e;nmen: ad the various (ucens, but without Fis our gathering here uatIra ll coniancial success. Statutes an experience neetin", my rv i i895, S. N. -erkins & Company experience with pineapples is cc-mined erected a two-acre shed and planted it to the I Pinellas pelinslla, vx wil ry to mtt to Smooth (iayen e and a few Abg'i ve a short sviopsis of th l ry as 1xkas. \t that time it cost $2_00 per it exists t here. without mak y-preacre to put out Cyeines mider shed, lte0ions 1 adIding t the k tge of 1t the tirst crop of fruit and suckers infioried growers, and with 1Ivolou to paid for the pinery anld left a good profit Jhem for repeatin g that i-cl t11 ey -besides. The financial success, aided k -adiy know. which, howe n(, lie by an appeal to the eve of great beds of se with Ilie majority *f t hC \ iho red "living green, each plant topped with its *ihc Report o0 our Procee'i beattiful fruit, was an exailple that T ntil 1 8(0 Io 1 ieape\'s wee gWo:(w CCn needed only to be set, and during the 1-1141n the Pinellas peninsu-, c C ting a ist four years about fifty acres of sheds ew small patclies of R'ed S' ni1h, ich have been erected within two miles of St. were grown in open lel(. Petersburg, and the industry is rapidly About that time fe w am sneds increasing. ere erected over Iha .K Porte icos, The sheds are thnse known to most

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48 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY growers and are made by placing 8 1-2 shoots get up the scuffle hoe only is foot lightwood posts eight feet apart used. With young plants, the more culnorth and south by fourteen feet east tivation, the more growth; but by the and west, upon which, running east and time the plants have got their growth, west are 2x6x15 feet stringers, or cultivation is almost if not entirely some use i 1-2x8x15. On top of stopped, both because it is difficult and these stringers rest the 1x3x16-foot of doubtful utility. slats, though some growers use 1x4 slats. Still others use lath for top, but FERTILIZERS. the woven wire and lath top is not popular. After mixing and using twenty-four The land chosen varies all the way different formulas, I now use blood and from low pine, through pine and willow bone and potash, with an occasional apoak, to rosemary and sprucepine scrub. plication of hardwood ashes. On new Probably the growing tendency is toground we usually apply blood and bone ward the lower land. only for the first application and increase The preparation of the land is as thorthe potash with each application until by ough as if intended for an onion bed. the time that the plant is about grown, When practical to do so, stable manure, when equal parts of low-grade potash cow manure, tobacco stems or even oak and blood and bone are used (1-2 potash, leaves are plowed under and allowed to [-2 blood and bone). One successful rot before planting. Cowpenning is grower uses high-grade potash and also a good preparation, but in the nathereby gets twenty-five per cent. of acjority of cases from one to three tons of tual potash. blood and bone is harrowed in after Nitrogenous fertilizers should be used plowing, with caution, if at all, during the growth While planting may be done at any of the fruit; for at last when the fruit is time of the year, it is seldom advisable well advanced, it has a tendency to cause to do so between September and March, it to crack open at the base. An averand probably seventy-five per cent. of age application would be four ounces per the sheds are planted during the rainy plant, with three or four applications per season. year. After being stripped of their small basal leaves, the plants are set out DISEASES. eighteen inches east and west by twentyfive or thirty inches north and south, in Blight is perhaps the only disease afbeds nine feet in width, leaving a fivefecting our pineapples, but it seems to foot walk between the beds. The usual visit almost every pinery. In some cases distance of 18x30, with walks, will give the percentage is as low as one plant out 8295 plants per acre, while 18x25 inches of 2,000, but again as high as fifty out of gives nearly 10,000 plants per acre. Bei,ooo plants. So far, we have discovered fore the roots get near the surface of the no cure for a plain case of blight, though earth, wheel hand hoes and rakes can be if taken up, stripped and planted in a new used to an advantage, but after the place, the plants usually throw out a new

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P'LORIDA ST 1'"E HURTI'LTURAL SOCIETY A1 root system, and. after fruiting, niceplants has a strong tendency to keep looking suckers. But I think that such them down, and it is worth from fifty to suckers should not be used, for although seventy-five per cent of its cost as a ferthey may not inherit the disease, they tilizer. But few growers have paid any may inherit the tendency to contract it. attention to either of these pests. Unless some blighted plants are wanted As to the different kinds of plants, I to experiment with, it is best to pull can see no difference between the results them up and throw them away. Plants from rattoons, suckers, slips, stool plants on low ground are less subject to Mlight and crowns ; provided that they are all than those upon higher ground. equally good of their kind. Am inclined This year five of our wineries have to think that crowns produce a slightly been affected by what is known as curl. ltrger apple than the other plants, but which is a condition of the plant in which they are somewhat subject to rot when the bud turns over until it has assumed l)lanted. a horizontal instead of an upright position. During the winter it looked quite EFFECTS OF COLD. serious, as from five to fifteen per cent. of the plants of those pineries were af\Vhile it would perhaps not be desirafected, but now they seem to be out1ble to have the temperature go below crrowingr the con(litions. 35 or 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the A committee from our local Pineapple plants. even when blooming, have Growers' Association was appointed to stood a temperature of 28 degrees Fahr. examine into the cause of this defect. for some hours with a loss of the tips ot While we came to no conclusions as to the taller leaves only. I have never the cause, it was found that pineries ferknown of pineapple plants being killed tilized with blood and bone an(l potash in the neighborhood of St. Petersburg, only were free from this trouble, while it when under a walled shed, but since 1895 (lid occur in pineries where nitrate of I do not go to led on cold nights. soda or nitrate of soda and sulphate of As to varieties with us the Smooth ammonia were used. I would suoest Cayenne has taken the place of all oththat possibly it was caused by those ers. strong forms of ammonia getting into the plant. COSTS AND PROFITS. INSECTS. At present prices, it costs about $1600 to plant out an acre shed of Cayennes, Under this heading, only the mealy and nearly $2,000 to bring the same to bug and pineapple scale come to trouble bearing, but regardless of this high cost, us, and they are seldom sufficiently nuall wineries of one-quarter acre or more merous to justify a combat; and when that I know of have paid all expenses they are they (lie easily when fought with the first crop of fruit and suckers, with any good insecticide, at one-half of and usually a good profit besides. The the usual strength used for citrus scale. best returns that I have heard of for a Ground tobacco used freely upon the single crop of fruit only was $700 from 4

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W FLORIDA 8TATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 2300 plants, which was little more than were those containing people from the one-quarter of an acre. The best returns tropics. for both fruit and suckers that I have met The palate of the North has not learnwith was from a pinery 1 1-15 acres in ed to understand the language of Miss extent, four-fifths of which was in Mango and therefore were dumb to her -Smooth Cayenne and the remainder in sweet accents, but to most of our local Abbakas. This pinery was planted residents either the mango, avocado three years ago last August, and pear or guava was considered of more up to this date $7,602 has been received value for local use, during their season, from the sale of fruit and suckers, and than the citrus fruits at any season. these figures will easily reach $8,000 I would say that mangoes and avocado during the next three months. This is pears were greatly superior to the same an exceptionally profitable pinery, but I species as brought from Cuba. The hear of another said to be more so. Cuban fruit being picked green may posMore money has been realized from sibly account for the difference in part. the sale of plants than for fruit, and The freeze of 1894 destroyed not only while it would be natural to expect the our tropical trees, but also our courage price of suckers to decline, they sell for to care for them, so that to-day we have more to-day than they (lid three years only an occasional small mango tree and ago. about enough avocado pear trees and Winter fruit sells higher than summer guava bushes to furnish fruit for our fruit, and early spring higher than winlocal use. Not that we could not have ter, but the fruit grown during the dry had them in abundance by this time, had spring months is best in quality. we planted during the spring of 1895, Taken as a whole, the pineapple busibut we lacked faith, and without faith ness ranks with orange growing, the two man eats but the fruit of neglect. being the most profitable industries of our locality. DISCUSSION. OTHER TROPICAL FRUITS OF THE SUBMr. Porcher-1 have no report to PENINSULA. make. I am not a pineapple grower nor a grower of tropical fruits. I don't think Prior to 1895, mangoes, avocado I could add anything to Mr. Butler's expears and guava trees shaded almost cellent paper. One or two have sugevery door yard, while an occasional tested that I should be on the committee tamarind, sugar apple, soursop, sapodilla because I am the agent of the pineapple or papaya was thrown in for variety growers; but that is entirely a question sake. The three first named were the of marketing, and one I don't think most important, and of these the mango should be considered here. The point and avocado pear were highly profitable is that this is the season when it may be until our mango crop overstocked our a little inopportune for me to speak on local market, when we found that the the subject of marketing, as we have in only cities where this fruit could be sold our section quite a little opposition on

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FLORIDA 8TATE JORTJCOLLTURAL SOCIETY 51 that very question this year. In tact, organization. The new party has so far the new movement there claims a large endorsed our plan, with the exception percentage of the fruit, and while the old that they contemplate selling more fruit Association is going on with its busion orders. ness there has been quite a little cornI would state that when we first took ment by the press on this subject. In hold of this system we used the urge our plan of marketing the design was barrel crate. Vc now use the standard simply to have an agent at the most efcrate. With that crate we can wiap and fective point for receiving and forwarding pack the Red Spanish pines and we can the shipments to the proper markets, have those pines transported to the most with a system of local agents in the mardistant markets, with practicaly none of kets we would need who would be our the fruit spoiled. In addition to that, we agents. That is to say, that they should organized a close intercourse with the handle no other pineapples during our markets and with the transportation season. On those lines we appointed men. We watched those cars in Jackagents in sixty-one markets which have sonville on the transit. We could send been reduced to thirty-nine. Starting in a car to Cincinnati and have fruit cut out with the crop of 1896, we have gradually and sent on to Columbus and delivered, increased the net result, until last season, and we even put fruit in less than carload with 132,000 crates of pineapples in the lots through on car-lot time. The West territory in which we operate, we marwas always opened to us for car-lot shipketed 51,248 crates, and our net result, nents, and we were in position to make including culls, ripes, etc., was $1.73 a those lots. With a simple system of crate. We have stated in print that we marketing any of the products that go are proud of that net result ; that it is the out of this State, be they what they may, highest that has been made. in addiwith a local agent and a system of agents tion to that, there were f.o.h. salts of appointed and understood to be solely about 35,000 crates the prices ranged representing that Association. success for a few as low as $1.50, for most 01 can he assured in any direction, whether them $1.75, and as high as $2.25. Now, it be pineapples or oranges. Any other when you consider that the Red Spansystem will certainly meet with failure. ish pine yielded as high as 600 crates to Where auction is the system, there is the acre, with that net result, it is one bound to be loss betwen the buyer and that is worthy of the attention of anyone, the man who grows the fruit, whereas we and in fact our growers to-day are ashave withdrawn from markets where our sured that despite the conditions against fruit would be lowered through competithem, we have made conditions that intion against itself. Under our condisure a good net result for good Red tions and with this watchfulness, the Spanish pines. proper markets can he found, all fruit The conditions have been such hrOM can be used, and those who had never our section that this season a large part heard of pines on the plant rushed in to of the fruit will be sold, and with the two see fruit on plants we exhibited until the organizations working, there is practipolicemen had to separate the crowd. cally no fruit that will not go through an This was in Cleveland, Ohio. In' Bif-

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52 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY falo we started off with five carloads and of the season we have our trouble. Up we have gotten up to thirty. Therefore to that date we can strike an average, for the Red Spanish pine the field is open and it is surprising to know how it and is increasing. Our only necessity is stands. Late in season local fruits are to grow a marketable fruit. Of course, coming in plentifully. Peaches will sell if we will grow 48 to the crate, instead of 12 1-2 cents to 25 cents per basket. 24, the one selling at $i.5o gross and the People have been eating pines since the other at $3, the one taking 48 pines, the first of April. The canning has been other 24 to the crate, the man who done and even the men to make the juice grows the 24s and 30s is the man who for medicinal purposes and soda fountwill win. ains have stopped, and at that date we The use of ice is deadly to any pine. have the most difficult time. We have It will cause it, if green, not to ripen; if to urge our agents and this is the time ripe, to decay. We load those cars with we have to fight hardest for the success crates well spaced, well ventilated, so of our work. This is when returns will that if you place small pieces of paper at come in sometimes very poor and unjust one end they will be carried right growers will be dissatisfied. We cannot through the car to the other end by the fail to have these difficulties every seadraft; there is a strong current of air, son and we cannot do more than do our and the fruit is kept in perfect condition. best. But all we aim for and ask is to The only time we have any difficulty is make the net result on the whole for the after July; from this on toward the end good of the grower. Protection, Cold Weather Cycles, Etc. A DISCUSSION. Mr. Porcher-I think we all recall Dr. J. W. Plummer had his pines absocases where the reading of the thermomlutely frozen and ruined and those at the eter has been given in various sections. north and south of him were uninjured. I have always thought that many times Last winter when the lowest reading of a man was right where he was accused the thermometer in Rockledge was 30 of being wrong; that there are big dips degrees, we recorded 18 degrees at my of cold that there is no accounting for. grove on Merritt's Island for a short I have known on the East Coast on one time. Some young trees were killed; occasion where the fruit was injured by we have not a guava this year. Two a southwest cold wind. On another, miles south of us there was no injury West Pahn Beach and Lemon City were (lone. The same north. It did not struck, and no harm done elsewhere. cross the river. When we made fires

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FLORIDA STATE IORTJCULTURAL SOCIETY 53 tinder my shedded grove to protect the take up ammonia so fast that it is very bloom, the wind drifted the smoke out difficult to give them any regular fertion the river, showing that the wind was lizer. They take tip too much ammonia. from the east. We had it for several We gave less of it and in some cases hours at 24 degrees, and some fruit near none whatever, and still results showed the ground we cut into and it was lul of they had too much. 'Whether it is the ice. We have been unable to find any ammonia has been taken out, I cannot explanation of these conditions, but the sav. Those trees showing sappy growth foregoing are the facts. have no fruit. I think they will. One Mr. Taber-I have had some expething about the shed is that we have not rience, an(l we have found that after the got to hurry the fruit off for fear it will wind has blown for twenty-four or thirtyfreeze. six hours from the northwest, and finally Mr. Mann-i did make an exception goes around and blows from the south, of those sheds where there was fire kept that we have it just as cold from the up, and I think it is commendable in south as it was from the northwest, and Mr. Stetson. who has the millions to do we have actually lighted fires at 4 o'clock it with. We have not. in the morning to protect the trees from Mr. Russell-If it is true, as Mr. Stethe south wind. vens informs us. that we don't have to Mr. S. B. Mann-In regard to the fertilize with nitrogenous fertilizers north end of a south wind, it is as cold those orange trees which are tinder as the south end of a north wind. In sheds. is that not a )ig item? That is our county there has been a great (leal the great thing we claim in the pineapple of money expended in tents, in sheds and business, and so it is in growing oranges. in open fires, and those who have made If we can escape that big expense, if we no attempt at protection, except the can feed that orange tree with bone and banking-up of the sand as high as you potash, and oet good fruit, I think we could make it stand, are just as well off are ahead of the game. The nitrogen is to-day, so far as I know, and I have come the greatest expense. to this conclusion-perhaps you would Mr. Fairbanks-I can only give infornot all agree with me-that if I cannot mation from the result of some fifteen grow oranges where I live without sheds years of experience in Florida, and I or artificial protection, then I must quit think it will be encouraging. I came to it and do something else: and that, I the state about seven years after the think, is about the wisest thing we can freeze of 1835, and from that time on the any of us do. trees were growing well until the scale Mr. Stevens-We have about fifty insects attacked them and nearly defive acres under sheds, and we are very stroyed all the groves. That seemed to well pleased with the results. We find be a destructive plague that would renthe trees grow better under the sheds, der groves impossible, but in a few years they take less fertilizer, they have more that passed away, and with care the ormoisture. We found the moisture ange trees were brought forward and warmed the surface and I will say this, grew. that the trees under the sheds so far From 1835 to 1895, sixty years, there

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5A FLORIDA STATM HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY was no weather cold enough to kill a place in [834 and 1894, we may look for grown orange tree. Then it came, and them now. The question is, of course, it came in a double way. There came a open. freeze on the 30th of December, 1894. It is questioned by Mr. Stevens whethIn the course of two weeks those trees er we shall protect these trees with all started up again and promised to have sheds. A large number of orange growa crop that year, until, on the 8th of Febers may not be able to go to that exRiary, there came another freeze as sepense, but there is a mode of preserving vere as the other; but the difference was the young tree by banking, by means of that the trees had then begun to grow which we have brought forward that poragain and had thrown out sprouts, the tion of the trees which has been covered sap was up, and that freeze, with the sap by the banks, and enabling us to bring up, killed the trees. our trees up to the stage where they During all this period that I speak of will be able to resist the cold. The tent there never was five years that there was that I have been using for the past winnot cold weather. There never was five ter was a very simple device, consisting years that the thermometer did not go of three poles, with a tent that fastened down in the region of 20 degrees. Some around the top, gathered together at -he of you recollect that in 1884 and 1885, botom, and a good-sized lamp put inside. when the thermometer went down so It is a cheap tent of twelve feet in height, low that it took off the ends of the limbs. costing not over $1.50. We will grow orange trees and they will Mr. Barber-I ask for information on withstand any ordinary freeze. It is this subject. Is it not a fact that in past only these extraordinary freezes which years the winter was as cold as it is of kill. later years, but it was in the first part of Now, whether we have or have not enthe winter, and that these freezes that tered upon a new period of sixty years, have done the damage are freezes that Providence only knows, but what has have come later in the spring It seems been will be, and I believe that there will to me, while I am a young man, that come a time, not very far hence, when twenty years ago the winters were equalthese severe freezes will merge into the ly as cold as they are now, but I think ordinary winter climate of Florida. that it was in the first part of the winter, What we want to do is to carry these and the seasons are changing and the young trees up to a hardy stage, and cold is coming in the last part of the seawhen you reach that hardy stage you are son, and is catching these trees after the fixed for the future. I don't think there sap is tip and they are growing. If that is any reason for us to be discouraged. be the fact, with the experience that the I think that those who have cared for orange men have had in this State, could and banked them will reap a reward. I not these trees be cultivated and fertidon't think that the climate is changed. lized in a way that would hold back the We simply know that within a certain starting of the growth to a certain experiod there will come, some time or tent later in the spring? other, these very severe blizzards or Mr. Fairbanks-It is undoubtedly true freezes, and if it should happen to take that the cold weather used to come at an

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hLORMHA STATY1 HORiTICULTURAL 80011477 55 earlier season. In fact, we generally contrees shut up close and dark has a bad sidered that there was danger any time effect. after Christmas. The first two weeks Dr. Kerr-With six years passed and of January were the point of danger. the next hard freeze to come in fifty-four The great freeze came on the 8th and the years, although a comparatively young second the 12th, and the last came as late man, I am not afraid of that freeze. But, as the 19th of February, which is the what little experience I have had in the latest cold. Mr. Gaitskill has a theory covering of trees in the past winter, 1 that there is all evolution from the stars have had just the opposite experience of by which the cold weather is being rethat which Mr. Hubbard has spoken of. moved on, and that when it is absorbed The trees that I had enclosed were not in the warmth of April we will have no affected at all. 1 had them banked two cold weather. But, like everything and a half feet high. Then I had a else, this period in which the cold will strong string drawn around the trees, come is a matter of controversy. Now. andl drew them together and built a box the Chinese have a system of keeping over them. I had a loose cover top, back their peaches and other fruit by reand when the weather was pleasant I removing the earth from the roots. If we moved it. The boxes were only three can manage to keep the sap back to the feet square. All the trees that I had 20th of February we will probably have treated in this way, the first of March, no danger whatsoever. when I removed the boxes entirely and Mr. Hubbard-There is a way for took down the banks, the growth was keeping back the growth of small trees, six inches, and they are the only trees but the effect is bad. This last winter to-day that bloomed and have fruit upon we had several rather cold snaps. On them. Other trees looked well, but the 24th of February, on the surface of they were a month later catching up to the ground, the thermometer was 35 dethese trees. They looked better, were grees. Some of my neighbors covered greener, and showed it in every respect. trees with veneer boxes. Some of the One night I was a little frightened and I trees were not covered. Inside those had all lamps ready, but concluded that boxes where they had been kept tight it was not necessary. Only one night and (lark no growth had been made did I place lamps in these boxes, and at all. It was as cold inside the then I believe that it was unnecessary. boxes as it was outside. No damage Mr. Russell-I believe Dr. Kerr has was (tone to the trees because they had said that lie took the top of the cover made no growth. But keeping them off at times to air those trees, and Mr. shut up retarded them, and after the Hubbard told about boxing his trees. cover had been removed some of them Mr. Hubbard-The trees that I spoke were a month later making growth than of where the growth was retarded were those that were outside, and the trees kept covered up tight. Trees, of course, which had been boxed up tight had practhat had the covers removed, except on tically no fruit. As far as my observacold nights, made more growth than tion went, it would seem that keeping those outside. Where cloth covers

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5LORJIDA 8TATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY were used instead of wooden covers, the them until it gets high in the heavens, trees made as much growth in these and they are soon shut off in the afterboxes as where the wooden top covers noon. More than that, the thick lath were removed. does not last as long, for the moisture Mr. Butler-Last winter 1 covered a cannot dry out before fermentation bequarter of my grove so that there was gins and causes rot, while thin laths dry almost no sunlight at all, just to see what out, keep sound and only wear out. The the result would be; and the only result result of having thin laths and having 1 know so far was that it was three weeks more light is that my shedded grove put behind the other part. I suppose, beon a full bloom this year, and, as stated, cause I kept the sunlight off. a good even crop right through the Mr. Hart-I would like to cite Mr. grove, so I have no reason to complain. Shooter's case. He covered a grove of Anyone who would grumble and want seven acres tight during the winter and more would be a little selfish. The merhe found he could keel) his trees dormant cury went down outside to 24 degrees al for three weeks later. My shed is covmy place. That is lower than it went up ered so that it gives a half shade, and this way. At that time the growth under those trees start earlier than they do outthe shed was perhaps two to six inches side. It is largely a matter of shutting long and carrying blossom buds in off the light or admitting it. plenty. I had about one fire to five or What Mr. Stevens said in regard to six trees under my shed and kept the dieback is one point that I spoke of last temperature above the danger point. year, and cautioned those in regard to Out in the open grove I had small fires. working their trees too much. I saw an I had a small pile of wood at each tree. indication of dieback at that time. It I fired every other pile, every other row. was one of the things that we had to It seemed to be a perfect success, prolearn under the new conditions. I learntecting those large trees covered also ed that it would do that and the reason is with fruit buds with small fires in the because there is so much more moisture open ground. I don't think we could and warmth in there, which makes the have done as well with small trees. soil ferments more active. And if you Only one fire to four trees kept the work your soil a little too much or fertimercury six degrees and more above lize with an excess of nitrogen, you have outside temperature, while I was prea case of dieback. I just quit working pared to fire at every tree, but had no in the shed, and don't intend to work my need to do so. trees until they show some sign of need Another point that I want to discuss of nitrogen again. This has cured the is that we have freezes every four or five trouble and the trees have put on a fine years that will destroy the crop if it is on growth. the tree at the time. With the shed, Where the covering laths are an inch you can save your crop; the shed is an or more thick, they shut off the light added safety. Mr. Fairbanks thinks and very much more than laths three-eighths I think that if the trees could get large, of an inch thick. If the laths are thick, as they were before, they would be less the sun's rays cannot get down between liable to injury by freeze. With the

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FLORIDA 2'TA'TE IORTICLLTURAL 8OCJETY 57 trees we have that we have not set out of April that killed them to the ground. since the big freeze, there are more calMajor Fairbanks-I should doubt louses near the ground, so that if our very much that statement. We have present old trees got back to the ol size authentic information on the. subject in they will not be as safe as before, but Williams' History of Florida which gives trees planted now would be just as safe a somewhat detailed account of that as they were before the freeze. freeze, and I think we can assume that Question-How much did your shed this history of Mr. Williams, which was cost ? written in 1837, is authentic. I have Mr. Hart-My shed cost me $450 an also seen it stated that it occurred on acre. It will cost a little more than that different dates. I think that my recolnow, because material is a little higher lection is fixed that the freeze of 1837 priced. occurred on the 17th of February. Question-What would it cost per Mr. Hubbard-This gentleman said acre if lumber could be had at $6 a there were two freezes that year. thousand ? Miss : I would like to tell of Mr. Hart-That is exactly what I paid a cover that my father has tried at Dade for mine ; it is thin pecky cypress; that City. It is made of slats and lined with is the lumber which covers the sides and palm leaves, two layers, about four inchthe laths for the roof cost $1.25. The es thick, and inside the palm leaves is only thick stuff which 1 used, costing moss. One of them he tried this year $jo, was 1x6 run across the top of each was round, the other two were square line of posts one way. The top is fifteen and fastened with hinges, and during the to sixteen feet. winter weather he would take the cover Mr. Painter-I would like to ask if off the top so as to have ventilation, Major Fairbanks remembers, in his exand he found them very successful. I perience in Florida, any year in which have not heard anything of that kind we had frost as late as this year. mentioned. The other trees around Mr. Fairbanks-I think not. I have were damaged badly. known on one or two occasions a late Mr. Potter-We have four acres of frost that would take the bloom, but it grove and will have two or three hunnever got down as late as this year. dred boxes of oranges. There were 117 Mr. Waite-In 1890, the 17th of tents and where we put these up the March, we lost 1280 trees in Marion trees were a month later in putting out. county that were eight to ten feet high. One was a grapefruit, but it has no fruit Mr. Hubbard-A few days ago I was on it and no bloom, while of the other talking with a native of Florida whose trees, one-half have fruit on them, and father lived here at the time of the freeze the tangerines have one-third less fruit of 1835 and who hunted the Seminole than those which were outside. I would Indians. He told me that his father allike someone to explain whether it was ways told him that the first freeze in the fault of the tent or what? 1835, although it did a great deal of Dr. Kerr-I believe it was because damage to the trees, did not kill them they were not sufficiently ventilated. all out. Then they had a frost the ioth Mr. Potter-They were put up the

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G8 PLORIDA STATE HORTICU''UiRAI, SOCIETY middle of November and taken down the trees which were full of sap and growing. middle of March, opened on all pleasant Of course, with everything lush and days. They were only closed up five times growing, a heavy white frost, say 28 deduring the season. agrees or even 30 degrees, would kill the Mr. Mann-Can anyone explain to us sprouts and young trees. I thought it why it is, as seems to be a fact, that the would be of interest to the Society to temperature inside of a tent with the know that there were two freezes in lamp is lower than it is outside at the 1835. same time ? Mr. Mann-I would like to ask Mr. Mr. Butler-I don't know about the Hubbard if he learned in any of his intent business, but the first year we had quiries whether the winters following sheds up I never found a single night in 1835 were cold winters as we have had which the thermometer was not 30 defor the last four or five years? I have grees in it. or lower. In many instances been told that the freeze was followed I found that the thermometer was as low by a series of cold winters. inside as outside, and one night I found Mr. Hubbard-Well, I don't rememthat it was a little lower. That is the her. There are several gaps in the recway we stand with the thermometer. ords. Mr. Mitchell, the weather bureau Those variations occur to a less or greatdirector in Jacksonville, has compiled er extent. records from all the information he could Mr. Mann-The tents were put on get as to frosts, and I don't remember every alternate tree, and of course they now just how that was. By reference could not test all of the grove; they to the 1899 report of the Society, which could only test part of it. The trees contains the weather map of the historic outside of the tents were not injured; freezes, and those records of Mr. Mitchthose inside of the tents were almost ell's, one could follow it up pretty well. ruined. But there have been cold winters at in(Note by Secretary-The following retervals of five or six years since records marks were made later in the day, but have been kept. In a recent article in are placed here in order to preserve conthe Florida Agriculturist I showed the tinuity of the discussion.) connection between cold winters and Mr. Hubbard-This afternoon I resun spots which have periods of five to ceived corroboration of the statement six years. that I made in regard to the loth of April frost in 1835. It seems that one (Note-The article referred to by Mr. of the oldest inhabitants of St. Augustine Hubbard is as follows:) -Mr. John Masters, who lived here all his life-was here at the time of the SemSUN SPOTS AND FREEZES. mole war, and died about a year ago over 90 years of age. He had a grove Sir Norman Lockyer, the eminent asright north of the town and he told my trononer, in a recent article, quotes the informant a number of times that there following table that has been prepared was a second frost in 1835, in April, by meteorologists who have been studywhich did most damage to the orange ing the effects of the eleven-year periods

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PLORIDA STATO HORTICULTURAL SOCIRTr 59 of sun spots on the rainfall of India and 1880 .. .... ...... ........Dec. 28, 1880 19 other countries: 1885 ........... 1884 21 t er tr :1886 -l -IJan. 12. 1886 15 1897. 1891 ........................ March, 1890 27 Rain from-pulse............. I898. 1896 .Dec. 30, 1894 14 1879 (part.) 1897 ...-....'.'....'....'Feb. 8, 1895 14 Feb. 12, 1899 10 1879 (part.) 1902 ...................... Feb. 18, 1900 19 No rain pulse............... 1880 central year. 1907 1881 (part.) 1908 1881 (part.) 1913 Rain from X pulse 1882. 1918 1I8m. 1919 1881 (Part.) 1 1884 (part.) NoTPE-racketod vars follow m ximum and 1885 (pa .single years minimum sun spots. No rain pulse....... .............icentral y r. 188(; 1887 (part.) In looking over this table it is most 1887 (part.) natural to suppose that variations in eKRain from-pulse ............1888. tremes from the years indicated as far as 1889. Florida is concerned have been equalIt is often asserted as a fact by old resized by severe cold in other parts of this idents of Florida that wet summers are or the Eastern continents, or perhaps in usually followed by mild winters. In the Southern hemisphere. studying rainfall it was found to be the It wOuld appear also that the cold exgreatest at the maximum and minimum trees have been coming ahead of the of sun spot activity. In other words, it culmination of the cycles for the past would appear that there is greatest heat two periods. activity in the sun during the years o There has been a gradual tapering of these periods about five and one-half in the intensity of the extremes for the years apart, more moisture being evapa three years. orated into and precipiatated from the It does not appear from this short peatmosphere. It follows, therefore, that riod whether intensity of extremes is during the dryer intermediate years r-reatest after a maximum or minimum there is greater liability to cold winters. of sun spots yet there is an approximate I have therefore prepared a table of these regularity that would lead to the exyears, and it is interesting to note how pectation of three or four years of cornclosely the historic freezes in Florida paratively mild winters before extremes come to these periods: are encountered again. 1836 .........................Feb. '1. 1835 The uncertainty as to whether the 1841 8 mountain billows of cold air will break 1842 No record. from the polar regions with greatest 1847 ...........................1845 20 force on the Eastern or Western conti1853 .............................1852 20 nents, the small knowledge that has been -185ords..Fe.r.......14,8n7 16 gained of the light warm upper air cur1863 No records. February 20, 1864, snow; 1864 orange trees killed at Brooksville. rents that flow North to replace the 1869 ....................... ec. 1868 20 heavy cold air waves, the short periods, l(ec. 1870 19 1874 1873 24 comparatively, for which data have been 1875 ........................... 1876 24 gathered of magnetic and meteorological

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60 FLORIDA TAPE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY changes, and the uncertainty as to vast advances that have been made in all whether extremes of heat, cold or presciences in the past century, it is reasoncipitation will be equalized gradually able to hope that equations of the almost over wide areas or suddenly within narunknown forces can be preparerd in the row limits, will make general predictions future that will give more definite anof weather changes for years or even swers to the problems of abnormal local months ahcad, of comparatively small conditions. local value. Yet, as we look back at the Culture of Early Peaches. BY J. P. MACE, OF THE COMMITTEE. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: Early, Suber, Maggie, Jewel, etc.; and Anyone who has listened to or read to prove my faith by my works, I am the reports of your Committee on preparing land now on which to set a Peaches, Pears and Plums, with the disnew orchard this coming winter. Sevcussions following these papers, for the enty-five to eighty per cent. will be of past four or five years, I am sure must these early varieties. feel that if anything is said we will have The trees I have at present were set in to thrash over old straw. my orange groves, about 300 in NovemThe growing of early peaches in Florher, '86, about 900 in December, '95. ida has not been an unbroken success The older 300 have been killed to the the past five or six years. The freeze of stump the second time; the others, ex95, killing trees back to the stump, cept the latter kinds, once. High winds again in '99, with perhaps twenty-five play havoc with the new limbs, splitting per cent. killed below the hud-in this them off the stump because of this '99 freeze my Angel and Waldo trees weakness; and I have strong hopes that were killed back to large branches-crop the orange trees are to be spared to of all early varieties lost by cold in 1900 spread and grow and fill all the space -a good crop of Angels al( Waldos in with their incomparable beauty. And 1901-all this, with the San Jose scale to for reasons given before in this Society, contend with, must convince every one I believe that the peach and orange trees that the South Florida peach grower's should be in different plots of ground on be( is not one of flowery ease. account of different modes of cultivaBut with all these drawbacks, we betion. For these reasons, I have decided lieve there is money to be made in to set a new orchard. Will hold on to growing peaches in Florida. I still pin the old trees until new ones fruit, or for my faith to the early varieties, Bidwell's two more crops after the present one.

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PLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAb 10CIRTY (L The present crop was saved by open fortunes to be made growing Kelsey or fires-only lighting every other row. Satsuma or l3lood plums, by our agriculFired five times during the winter, but tural writers and nurserymen, not wishknow now that three times would have ing to be left behind in any good thing. been enough. At the time was afraid to I set Out 300 of these trees, fertilized, take chances. Orchards in our section pruned and digged about them for three not fired will have some fruit, but a very or four years, without results. They light crop of the early varieties. For all were uprooted and used for a glorious ordinary cold snaps, down possibly to 22 Fourth of July bonfire, to the delight of or 23, 1 believe it entirely practical to the small boys of the neighborhood. We save young peaches with open wood fires now boast of only one plum tree, an Explaced northwest of each tree. But with celsior, set in '94, bearing a light crop in such a freeze as we had that Monday '97, better in '98, in '99 sold plums to the morning in February, '99, if yon could aioun of $i f and had all we wanted for rest contented, my advice would be, stay homne use in 1900, shipped seven crates, in bed, sleep on, take thy rest: believing which sold for from $2 to $3.50 per crate. that it may be year5 beforee we will again Had some home sales and uses. Tree be visited by stich a blizzard. We have bending under present crop. Two or faith to push on. three of the newer Japan plums, Botan Given a first-class piece of virgil high and Wickson, set three years ago, but no pine land, well cleared and plowed, set fruit to show vet. with first-class four to six feet trees as _\s between peaches, pears and plums, our worthy President knows how to giv rne peaches every time; three times grow, not closer than 20x25 feet, with a a day if you please, sliced, with sugar little good fertilizer, thorough cultivaand good Jersey cream, with an occation, dig out the borers, fight the San sioiial cobbler thrown in for variety. Jose scale with kerosene or kerowater, thin the fruit, don't pick until well col PEACf TREES UNDER PROTECTION. ored (not ripe enough to be soft), handle like eggs, grade and pack carefully. full Report by C. C. Shooter, of the Commeasure pressed(l down, ship to good littee. houses only-and await returns with an assurance and satisfaction tl'.at is sure Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: to come with experience. The last few winters have emphasized At one time in my life I was the happy the fact that if we wish to grow very earpossessor of forty Leconte pear trees, ly peaches some kind of protection is but as demands arose for more profitable necessary. The old Peento, which is uses of the land, they have slowly but one of the earliest peaches to ripen, and surely disappeared, until only a beggarly also one of the best in quality, is going half dozen is left. These are kept so out of cultivation because it is so seldom that when my friends say, "Do you have that we can get a crop from it. In the pear trees?" I can truly say. "Sure. Why few mild winters previous to 1895 it was not ?" the best paying peach we had. Led on by the glowing accounts of That peaches will grow, thrive, and

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C)2 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY fruit, and that the bloom and fruit can form success. Last year the trees did be saved, even in case of heavy freezes, not do well. I do not think it was the I have proved in my two-acre grove, fault of the trees for I obtained them under cover, where for the last three of reputable nurserymen. I gave them winters we have never failed to get a good care, but both these and some of crop, when all the peaches of the same my neighbors' trees did not do as well as varieties outside were frozen. those which I have planted this year. The most curious fact that 1 have obSome of my old trees had the appearserved is that the peaches will bloom in ance of dying. I headed them back sealmost darkness not more than a week verely, they sprouted out from the stubs or a fortnight later than the same varieand have grown and made magnificent ties outside, and that they will set and trees. They seem to be in better condimature well colored fruit of fine quality tion than even the young trees. It was with one-quarter shade and three-quaronly a small per cent. that had the apters light. pearance of dying. Most of my trees The main object, however, is to get had a good crop. We have had peaches the earliest peaches, and this can be ever since January. This was from a donescattering bloom that came on in the fall, 1st. By arranging the cover to give and after the birds took in their share sufficient light, but so that it can be there was not much left. I think that closed up quickly in case of frost. there is no place in the State or South 2nd. By entirely changing the method where peach growing can be engaged in of cultivation. as profitably as in South Florida. I In outside culture it is our object to don't think there would be any hazard in fertilize and cultivate late in the year. planting a peach orchard in Polk county so as to retard the early blooming. In on new land. I think there would be a a shed, however, we want this early great advantage in taking the virgin soil bloom, and must therefore cease cultivain planting a peach orchard. I have tion in August or September, so that the some very fine trees that are seedlings. trees can harden up the growths. They Major Fairbanks-Have you planted will bloom all winter. If the firing is them in hammock or high land? properly attended to this bloom can he Dr. Inman-All in high pine land, saved and a very early crp01) secured. land that has been cultivated in tomato The shed must be built high enough so crops for several years. that the tres will not require any prunMajor Fairbanks-I have had some ing. experience in planting hammock land and the trees would flourish for a year and then die off. DISCUSSION. A Member-My experience has made me believe that that is true, that they Dr. Inman-I am engaged in growing will (lie back sooner or later, and quicker peaches probably as far south as it has than they will on high land. They been attempted on any important scale; must not be planted with oranges. To and I may say that I cannot report unigo into the peach business, my expe-

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FLORIDA STATE HORTICCLTURAL SOCIETY 63 rience is that you must go into the peach the peach grower has got to tackle the business. business in a systematic manner. That Dr. Inman-I would say in regard to he has got to adopt spraying as a part. planting them with orange trees, they I am certain of it and I did not learn it seem to do equally as well; I have them until this winter. I learned it too late growing where the peach trees are alto profit by it. 1 am troubled with a most interlocking over the orange trees, scale. This is the case where I would and the orange trees are doing finely. advise spraying. Of course, I would not I have five thousand orange trees and make a general rule of it, but I believe five thousand peach trees planted in the that this work, as far as the peach is consame forty acres of land. There will be cerned, had better be prepared before two or three poor trees andl two or three the buds are out. There is a work that which I may not fertilize alikc or may has been issued by the Department that not care for alike, all right otherwise. is most comprehensive as applying to Mr. Porcher-Are those the trees that peaches in cultivation. But since they have had their tops cut off and have rehave adopted spraying as a part of their covered ? business, the result is so satisfactory that Dr. Inman-Yes, sir: and those new one cannot help but believe in it. Even tops on old trunks stand there now spray one-half of a tree and it will have twelve or fifteen feet high. hundreds of full grown fruit on that half Walter Cooper-The gentleman reand hardly a single sign on the other half. ferred to the peaches on the hammock I have some trees that I would like to land. Now, we know it is a fact that in spray, but I am afraid to do it. This the muck land of Kissimmee the early year I lost them on the ioth of February. peaches have done remarkably well. I For sick peach trees, Dr. Inman's remhave never been in the orchards: I have edy, that is, cutting back, is one of the seen photographs of the orchard and of best remedies I ever knew of. After the the fruit, but a neighbor of mine has freeze of 1899 we had 300 late peaches been over the grove, which was eight or that were injured very badly. The matten years of age at that time, and the ter was put in my hands. What would trees were enormous and bearing well. you do? I would go in there and saw There may be some conditions or some their heads off. I saw one of the handquestions of hammock land that I know somest groves I ever looked at, about nothing about. My efforts have all been 400 unproductive trees. I said if they on high pine lands. were mine I would saw their heads off in regard to growing peachesi generand next spring I would have buds on ally speaking, I say that to do this te-day every single tree.

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Some Fungous Diseases of Citrus and Other Fruits. BY PROFESSOR H. HAROLD HUME, OF THE STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: portions of apparently normal bark. In In the paper which I have prepared for the early stages the spots show in the this occasion I have decided to touch but form of a number of small, dark, elevated briefly upon a few of the common disdots, arranged in a somewhat circular eases which affect the fruits of the State. group, and surrounded by a light yellowTo go into a thorough discussion of each ish band. This light band appears to and every disease would be entirely out mark the size of the spots when matured. of place. Such a paper would be much In the later stages the elevated portions too lengthy and you would be thoroughof the pustules cover nearly the whole ly tired of the matter before I had finsurface of the twig, becoming somewhat ished. In the course of my remarks I grayish in color and giving, to the bark shall touch upon a new disease of the ora very rough and uneven appearance. ange, the scab of the Satsuma, pecan leaf I have sought diligently for the cause blight, strawberry leaf blight, the crown of this trouble, but a microscopical exgall of the peach and the pear blight. amination has revealed nothing. It is possible that in some later stage of the A NEW DISEASE OF THE ORANGE. disease something will be found which In March Mr. A. E. Stebbins forwardwill point to a specific cause. Upon ined to the Department a number of disvestigation of the literature of orange eased orange twigs affected with a troudiseases I have not been able to find anyble new to him. In some respects it rething relating to it. sembles dieback, but must be considered It is not common and has as yet done entirely distinct from that disorder. but little damage, though in one case a The twigs appear in many respects to be Iree was found badly affected and nearly quite healthy, but scattered here and killed. I advised Mr. Stebbins to make there over the surface are rather circuan application of a fungicide, but have lar, elevated, light brown patches. In not yet heard whether it had any benefisome cases the elevated patches have a cial effects. second elevation in the center. In diameter they vary from one-eighth to oneSCAB ON THE SATSUMA. half an inch. In some cases they are During the past year a considerable confluent, forming patches of considernumber of Satsuma fruits and leaves afable area, frequently surrounding small fected by scab have been forwarded to

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PLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIM7Y 6 the Department, and in spite of the fact try. It annually costs the peach growthat this disease is so commonly present ers in the neighborhood of $5oo,ooo. In in the State, it would appear that there Florida it is quite common and seems to are a considerable number who are tinconfine its work to no one locality or acquainted with its cause, nature and the class of soils, and it is without doubt a means by which it may be controlled. disease to be dreaded and guarded For the reason just indicated I shall give against. a short description of this well marked Hiow long it has been at work in the disease. The fruit, when affected, is peach orchards of the State it is difficultt covered with wart-like corkv elevations. to say. Its history goes back many Beneath these the tissue of the kind will years; presumably it has been present in be found to be somewhat thickened. Florida amost since tihe beginning of the The warts are at first yellow, translucent, industry. then grayish, later becoming dusky in The disease is characterized by the color, still later quite (lark, and the tops formation of galls of different sizes upon of the excrescences break open. These the crowns and roots of the trees. It is warty elevations are frequently confluent [not to be confused with the galls formed and of considerable extent and irregular by the Nematode, as they are characterin shape, but when they occur singly istically different. Neither is it to be they are cone-shaped. The disease is confused with the gummy, often rather caused by a funigus, a species of Cladoshard, enlargements formed by borers at porium. It affected the sour orange. the crown of the tree. Usually the lemon and bitter sweet. grower first notes its presence upon the tree just at or near the surface of the METHODS OF CONTROL. ground. Upon examination, (alls wil general be found upon the roots as well So far as I am aware, there is no and frequently diseased trees may be other means by which this disease found, upon which the galls are can be controlled except by applyformed entirely beneath the ground ing a funoicide to the trees. The The galls are excrescences composed o trees should be sprayed at least three hypertrophied tissue. In the early times, giving the first application just stages they are small, usually somewhat after the fruit has set and the other two rounded in form and attached to the root within the next six weeks. Use either or stem by a somewhat constricted neck. ammoniacal solution of copper carbonate They are quite smooth in the early or Bordeaux mixture. stages, but as they become older and increase in size, they become rough, corCROWN GALL. rugated and wrinkled. They are at first light in color and the tissue is quite The disease now generally known unsoft. Later they become brown, firmer der the above name is widely distributed and still later hard and brittle, which throughout the United States, and it is stage is characteristic of the dead gall. responsible for the death of many peach The life of the gall is about one seatrees in the peach districts of the counson. It then dies, but about the old dead 5

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66 FLOULiDA 'TAT E HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY one a gall in the form of a solid ring or of a dark orange color, and contain large a broken ring of galls will in all probabilnumber of spores. These spores, under ity develop the next season. The disfavorable conditions, give rise, once ease frequently extends to the roots. more, to the active plasmodium. The word "extends" is used advisedly, for it seems that in nearly all cases the HOW THE DISEASE SPREADS. trouble originates at or near the crown. Beneath the gall the wood in due time If a few infested trees stand in the dies. The tree is weakened and, if not orchard, it may be carried from tree to broken off by the wind, eventually suctree while cultivating. A gall or porcumbs. If the trees become affected tion of a gall is broken from a diseased while young it is quite safe to conclude tree by the passing cultivator and carried that they will never reach bearing age. on to the next. Perhaps the trunk of The disease according to the excellent this may be slightly injured in some way investigations of Toumey, is caused by a and the disease gains an entrance. It slime mould, Dendrophagus globosus. may possibly in some cases spread from Tou. It belong to the lowest form of contact of affected roots, and we must plant life, that group over which botannot forget that the spores can be readily ists and zoologists generally disagree, blown about by the wind. each claiming that they belong respectIt is doubtless true, however, that the ively to the plant and animal kingdom. disease is most generally introduced into These low organisms are known as myxa grove by planting affected trees or omycetes. trees which have upon them infectious The vegetative stage is known as the material. One gentleman with whom I plasmodium. During this stage it conhad some conversation regarding this sists of free protoplasm capable of amdisease told me that he purchased from oeboid movements. It lives within and a nurseryman a number of peach trees feeds upon the contents of the cells. and found galls upon some of them. He While it is developing in the tissues of destroyed the affected ones and planted the host the cells grow at an exceedingly the remainder. To-day there is plenty rapid rate, and the gall in consequence of crown gall among his trees. This is, becomes greatly enlarged. This rapid I believe, the way in which the disease is cell multiplication and enlargement in only too frequently introduced, and an the host is caused by the stimulating efinfested nursery from which trees are feet produced by the dendrophagus and sold can be considered nothing less than the effort on the part of the plant to a menace to the peach industry of the overcome its enemy. The mold passes country. from cell to cell and produces in each new cell the same effects as in the one OTHER TREES AFFECTED. from which it has just made its way. After a period of growth the plasmoThe disease affects the plum, prune, dium works to the outside of the gall and cherry, apricot, almond, apple, pear, fruit is produced upon the outer surface. raspberry. and probably other trees and The fruiting bodies are almost spherical, shrubs. My attention was called to a

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FLORIDA STATE IJORTICULTURAL SOCIETY U7 diseased rose bush not long since. Some PECAN LEAF BLIGHT. distance above the ground there were excrescences which appeared very much It has always been stated that the pelike the crown gall and I was, I think, can has no fungous enemies. During the correct in pronouncing it that disease. last year, however, I have observed that the leaves of young pecan trees were affected by a disease to which I have given METHODS OF CONTROL. the above name. Several correspondents have also written me regarding it, and These have in part already been sughave enclosed specimens. I have not gested. Do not plant infested trees or observed that it is injurious in any markknowingly plant those which have been ed degree to old trees, but it has done in contact with infested ones. Nurseryconsiderable damage to nursery stock men who have the best interest of the and to young trees recently set out. So State at heart will not sell diseased or far as I am aware, this disease has not doubtfully healthy trees. Trees should before been reported. not be sold from an affected lot and cerThe disease is characterized by the tainly no honorable man will place upon browning and withering of the leaves. the market trees showing the disease, At first small brown areas are noted. and certainly no wise fruit grower will These become larger and eventually emplant them. brace the whole leaf. Trees affected by Such trees should be burned: old disthe disease make no progress. eased trees should be dealt with in a The disease is caused by a species of like manner. They are generaly unprofcercospora, which I believe to be Ceritable and must simply be regarded as a cospora Halstedii, E. & E. At least, it menace to their healthy neighbors. I corresponds in nearly all particulars with do not deem it advisable to plant disthat species. The spores of the fungus eased ground again. If it is desired to are borne upon conidiophores on the distreat the trees, and it may be a good poleased spots. When examined under the icy, if they are still vigorous and but microscope they are seen to be hyaline slightly affected, they may in some cases in color or somewhat smoky and are club be made to serve some seasons of usefulshaped. They are divided into three or ness if treated in the following manner: four cells, each cell being capable of gerCarefully cut out the galls down to clean mination. The conidiophores upon healthy wood. Cover the wound with a which the spores grow are darker in colpaste made as follows: Take four or than the spores, being quite brown. pounds bluestone (sulphate of copper). The spores when ripe are blown about 2 pounds sulphate of iron, 9 pounds of by the wind, and, falling upon the leaves, unslaked lime, or bluestone and lime, in produce again the disease. equal parts, will likely answer as well. Slake the lime, mix with it the bluestone METHODS OF CONTROL. and sulphate of iron in a finely pulverized state. To the mixture thus formed add If the trees are small, they can be consufficient water to reduce it to a paste. veniently sprayed with Bordeaux mIx-

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68 FLORIDA STATE H OUTICULTURAL SOCIETY ture, which will keep the disease in fruit need not be expected from affected check. They should be sprayed just plants. when the young leaves are coming out, The disease is caused by a fungous and at least twice afterward at intervals parasite, Sphaerella fragariae (Tul) Sacc. of two weeks. The fallen leaves should Two kinds of spores are produced; those be gathered and burned. By carefully commonly known as summer spores are following out this line of prevention, born upon conidiophores, which are prothere will be no difficulty in holding the duced in tufts. These are to be found disease in check, as it is not of a serious upon the discolored areas. The other nature, though when left to itself it spores are commonly called winter causes a very considerable amount of spores and are produced in small spore damage. cases called perithecia. Both kinds of spores serve to spread the disease, and STRAWBERRY LEAF SPOT. the latter (those produced in the perthecia) are useful in carrying the disease The leaf spot disease of the strawberry through unfavorable periods. The dismust be regarded as the most serious funease exists upon the strawberry plant gous diseases of that crop in our State. throughout the whole year in Florida, so In fact, it is the only fungous disease at that winter spores can scarcely be conpresent known to the writer which sidered as necessary to its continued excauses any amount of damage to the istence in the State. plant. The disease affects the foliage and the METHODS OF CONTROL. first marks of its presence is the appearance of minute, purplish spots upon the Two or three different methods have leaves. These spots gradually enlarge been recommended for the control of and change in color, becoming a light this disease. For old plantations, some gray in the center, but the periphery rewriters have recommended the burning mains purple in color or with the inner over of the crop. This, however, is not edge shaded into brown. The spots are feasible, after the plants commence to of different sizes, some are as much as bloom or are making growth previous to three-quarters of an inch in diameter, the blooming period. In small beds the though frequently a number of them codiseased leaves should be cut off when alesce, forming blotches of irregular sha first noticed, and if a little attention be and of considerable extent. In the natgiven in this way it is not likely to give ural process of the disease the substance much trouble. In larger plantings, of the leaf is destroyed. It becomes however, this is not feasible, and these withered, brown and at length dry and should be sprayed. The results of my dead throughout. If the season is in experiments at the Experiment Station any wise unfavorable for the developthis past season have been very satisfacment of the plants, they are usually killed tory. In October forty-five different vaoutright. If, however, this is not the rieties of strawberries were planted. The case, the vitality of the plant is sapped, leaf spot disease soon made its appearand the same quantity and quality of ance and was allowed to run its course

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FLORIDA STATE UORTIC)LTURAL SOCIETY 69 in order to determine, if possible, the art, Seaford, Sample, Warfield, Parker comparative resistance of different vaEarle and Tennessee Prolific were very rieties of the disease. After having obbadly diseased. In fact, some of them tained results from that portion of the were almost killed out. experiment, the beds were sprayed with Bordeaux, four pounds of copper stilPEAR BLIGHT. phate, four pounds of lime to forty gallons of water. The first application The pear blight has been quite as was made on February 26, the second on common this year as formerly, although March 8 and a third on March 18. By at Lake City the disease appeared to the time the last spraying had done its produce but little effect on the leaves work the disease was completely checked and twigs. No fruit was, however, set and it was a difficult matter to find a leaf on the trees, due to the destruction of at all diseased in the whole patch. By the flowers by the blight. The pear May 14, however, it was noticed that the blight is unfortunately very common ill disease was making some slight headFlorida. Hence it needs little or no deway, and the plants were again sprayed. scription. Shortly after the flowers It may be thought by some that Borhave opened it will be noticed that the deaux mixture would be objectionable to ovaries and pedicels have become black the crop while fruiting. as the berries and this blackening extends to the fruit might be stained by its use ; but on acspur, the young leaves, and eventually count of the habit of growth of the down into the older branches. It usualstrawberry I do not think the objection ly takes, under average weather condihas much weight. The ripened or parttions, about one week and a half to reach ly ripened fruit is quite well protected the branch. Throughout the whole seaby the leaves above, and as the spray is son the affected or disease(] branches directed down upon the top of the plant, can easily be picked out. They are (lead but little of it has a chance to reach the and the black dry leaves still remain atfruit and I have never been able to detect tached to them. any staining when the crop was gathThe cause of this well known disease ered. It is best, however, to make the is a bacterium known as Bacillus amyloapplication just after the ripe fruit has vorus, Burrill. It is a minute, rodbeen picked. It may be of interest to shaped organism, which develops within make a few notes upon the relative rethe tissues of the host. It is carried from sistance of different varieties to this disflower to flower by honey-seeking inease. sects. These gather honey from disCobden Queen, Lady Thompson, Mceased and healthy flowers and as a cerKinley, Improved Newnan, West Lawn, tain number of the germs remain attachAroma and Jesse were almost entirely ed to their probosces they are carried free from the disease. Cloud, Pride of from one place to another. On the othCumberland, Howell's Seedling, Haverer hand it is doubtless probable that cerland and Earliest were slightly affected, tain of the biting insects assist in some while Murray's Extra Early, Mary Stumeasure in disseminating the disease.

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70 FLOWIDA STATE UORTICULTURAL SOCIETY METHODS OF CONTROL. pear trees in a community. One man may give the disease careful attention, It has been noticed time and again but unless his neighbor does likewise the that a sappy condition of the trees acinsects will carry the germs from the discompanied by a vigorous, succulent eased to the healthy trees, thus rendergrowth is a condition extremely favoring his efforts in a large measure futile. able for the development of blight. This condition should not be favored. NitroDISCUSSION. genous fertilizers should not be applied at all or only in limited quantities. PotProf. Hume-I have touched but ash and phosphoric acid should be given briefly upon a few of the common (lisin normal amounts. Cultivation should eases which affect the fruit trees of the cease and it is best to plant the ground State. To go into the matter at length about the trees with Bermuda grass, would be entirely too much. I would leaving a circle of four or five feet in say in relation to this new disease of the diameter about the tree from which the orange, that it may be a new phase of an grass should be cleared away from time old enemy, and I would like some of the to time. The method of treatment outorange growers to take this twig and see lined above, together with careful prunif you ever saw it before. ing, constitute the means of control. As Mr. Porcher-I would like to get soon as the blight has shown in spring, Prof. Hume to give us, if possible, some the twigs should be cut, and again in fall information as to the foliage affected by diseased branches should be taken out. this new trouble? They should be cut three or four inches Prof. Hume-I am sorry to say, Mr. below the line between the dead and livPorcher, that I have not seen the foliage ing tissues, carefully removed and burn-nothing but those twigs. I have a ed. This treatment has been given to suspicion that it is allied to the red rust. one of the trees on the Station grounds. This came from Manatee county and was It was very severely pruned, but will, I forwarded to me by Mr. Stebbins. believe, mature about one bushel of fruit. Mr. Baker-How far back does your Others not treated have no fruit whatinvestigation of this disease of the peach ever. tree date? If pear blight is ever to be brought Prof. HumeI only started on it this well under control it will call for a united present year, and have been working on effort on the part of all those who have it four months perhaps.

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Blight of the Pineapple. BY E. N. BROWN, OF PUNTA GOR DA. Mr. President and Members of the Florsuckers are from the main stalk. In ida State Horticultural Society: making this comparison, size considered As I am a young man in the pineapple thrown in. business, I feel somewhat timid in preI believe we all agree that the disease senting to this intelligent body a few of we call blight is a root trouble; that is, my thoughts on the pineapple disease improper conditions of the roots. As called blight. especially since so many these roots are not in condition to give learned professors have been racking the plant the proper food to sustain life, their brains to find the cause and remedy the plant turns yellow and dies. Now, for this devastating malady. I claim that anything causing the death But then, we should all be willing to of these roots will necessarily also cause be laid on the altar of criticism until this this improper condition, and so they are mysterious disease is fathomed. unable to impart the life fluid to the In presenting our thoughts let us look plant, which causes this so-called blight, into the anatomical or physiological which merely means starvation, in my structure of the plant, in a small way, behumble opinion. fore entering upon the disease proper. And the causes for the death of the We notice at the base of the plant, after roots, you will readily see, might be removing a few of the basal leaves, there many, such as worms or insects, moles, are eyes for root sprouts something simscuffle hoe, too much caustic fertilizer, ilar to the petals. The roots always start too much or not enough of air around from these eyes and nowhere else, as the roots, and the last I'll name, but not there are no other places for them to least by any means, stagnant water, start from. These roots grow lono and which is more far-reaching than all the slender like a shoe-lace, without any rest combined. branches, absolutely, but are covered all But this brings u.4 to the proper soil along with fibrous feeders. These feedcondition for a pinery, which belongs to ers are attached to the main lateral in a the subject of pineapple growing; but I way peculiar to the pineapple plant, shall not touch upon that here, but conmuch like the slips and suckers growing fine my paper to this so-called blight. on the main stalk of the plant, both of Cut a root off at the body of the plant; which have their origin in potato-like that root never starts again. Cut it off eyes. These feeders are as easy to dea piece from the plant; the remaining tack from the lateral as the slips and root may feed the plant to the extent of

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72 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY its feeders left between the stalk and the growth. And if a sufficient number do point where the root is cut. But said start out, the plant will be nearly, if not root will never branch out and form new altogether, dead before enough feeding laterals to extend such root or lateral, capacity is furnished to sustain life and a like the orange, apple, or vegetable sufficient growth of the plant. kingdom in general. Then again, if there are more root I have seen the feeders extend themeyes, the chances are the basal leaves selves several inches in leng-th at the terhave not been pulled off high enough to minus of the roots, where roots have permit the growth of these roots; so been severed, trying, as it were, to form they form what is called or commonly new laterals, very much like Aesop's known as tangle root, and so are not perfabled jackdaw which swooped down initted to give the plant any help. Hence and tried to carry off a sheep, to emulate deep setting may cause this so-called the strength and flight of the eagle, and blight, for these lateral roots don't take so became entangled in the wool. The kindly to deep setting. Deep setting farmer came along, clipped his wings, will put these deep in the soil, while the and taking him home, his children asked natural place is very close to the surface what kind of a bird it was. He replied, where they can obtain plenty of air and "To my certain knowledge, he is a daw, warmth, which are absolutely necessary but he will have it that he is an eagle." for good growth for this luscious fruit of So with the pineapple roots, it is imposthe tropics. sible to make laterals from feeders, no Some may ask what is the remedy for difference how much they try-enforced this. In answer, I would say, for a meby heavy feeding-to emulate the latdium to large plant, there is practically eral. They will, to my certain knowlno remedy. Better pull up and replace. edge, be feeders still, and nothing else. But a small one may revive if the soil is This is a significant fact in studying removed, so that one can pull off basal the pineapple, and especially this disease leaves, which would permit these root called blight. For if many of these eyes to put out new roots wherewith to roots are cut the feeding capacity of the feed the plant. But never by any plant is injured, and if all the roots are means should the plant be pulled up to damaged or cut off close to plant, that remove roots and to trim, which destroys plant will die as sure as roots become all roots already started and feeding the damaged or cut, unless there are more plant, as these are absolutely needed to eyes further up on the stalk to furnish carry on the good work. new roots. And if the plant is of good Now, I have presented my views. To size, the chances are mighty slim for me they seem reasonable, but to you enough roots to form to insure the plant maybe otherwise. If I have made any proper nourishment to maintain growth statements you don't agree with, give already started, for new roots do not them a good breezing, which will be a start only from these root eyes, and a benefit to all of us, by helping to unravel large plant needs many roots for healthy this mystery.

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Ornamentals. REPORT BY REV. LYMAN PHELPS, CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE. The orange tree leads on the list of useful ones. I have met a score of tourornamentals. It is not only the queen ists who literally went wild over a row of fruits, but it stands royaliy at the head of kumquat trees worked on a bitter of our ornamentals. as we closely examsweet stock. I did not oppose their ine its cell formation, so highly and beautastes. I once on a December day gave tifully developed, or when we breathe its a dinner to a party of Ohio editors and ex(isite fragrance. their wives, in an orange grove under the Citrus Aurantium is naturally a lowshade of the trees: they plucked pinebranchingtree, always graceful, with apples, cut roses, pulled oranges, drank greenish brown barkelliptical, ovate, coorangeade and lemonade, but most adriaceons leaves of intense green, often mired the well laden kumquat trees. with winged petioles and fragrant white I need not speak of the rose as the orflowers. The tree also is very longnamental before which all other flowers lived. It is also most prolific in fruit, pale. Yon know it. You all have your bears a large globose berry o eight or favorites. It is the fower that befits the ten membranous cells, which are packed christening, adorns the marriage feast with pulp of fusiform cells, distended and is in good taste at the burial obsewith an acid refreshing juice. liese. It should be in every garden as an I single out no one variety in this deorniamental. scription, but include the whole family of citrus. There are as many differing rE PALM. tastes as people in this respect. I inchide the heavily laden kumquat, especThe Oreodoxa granate stands at the ially when worked on the bitter sweet as head. The tree is characterized by the a stock, as well as the pomelo when petals being united at the base in the doubly worked on the bitter sweet, first pistillate flowers. There are six species to the Messina lemon and then to the of tropical America, all handsome, with pomelo. This last combination was tall, smooth, robust trunk. Some of the pronounced the most beautiful tree Prof. species are very tall, reaching one hunVan Deman saw during a protracted dred and thirty to one hundred and fifty stay in Florida. feet in height, with small white flowers, As in architecture, all ornamentation, and small violet to deep garnet fruit on to be truly beautiful, must be useful, so the slender drooping branches of a large our most ornamental trees are our most spadix.

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74 FLORIDA STATES HORTIOULTURAL 0C[HTY Oreodoxa regia, the royal palm, the cold, save in the Alaska-destroying grows ninety to one hundred and thirty blizzard of '99. It is by far the handfeet, and is found sparingly as far north somest of its species, and the name freely as Florida. translated means crimson glory of the The sabal palmetto we all know. We mountain. are pleased that the committee who decThe needle palm is one of great beauorated this hall so beautifully for us recty and symmetry for decoration. It is ognized it as ornamental. The cabworthy of a place on all lawns. bage tree, from its commonness, is not Bigonia vanusta is a rampant growalways appreciate(d. ing tropical vine, with glossy dark-green Melanodendron integrifolium, the foliage. It is the best of our tropicals black cabbage, is a very grand tree, in leaf and flower. It is a flame of floweighty or ninety feet in height, with syrners for fully two months, in its season. metrical trunk crowned with strong Its common name, flame urn, well decomposite leaves very much recurved. scribes it. The Oreodoxa granate has withstood REPORT OF MRS. FLORENCE P. HADEN. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: the royal poinciana perhaps ranks first, The conditions in the extreme southespecially when it is one gorgeous mass ern part of Florida are very different of scarlet flowers in a bed of fern-like from the rest of the State. We have a leaves. Another handsome flowering great many trees and plants that have tree is the geiger, but I do not believe it not been successfully grown in the open would stand much frost. Of course, the elsewhere. The committees on ornaoleanders, hybiscus, the numerous fomentals of late years have confined liage plants and crotons which grow so themselves to trees and plants that stand well in our section deserve mention and frost. But as it has been shown that should he utilized, even where they remany tropical plants adapt themselves to quire a little protection. The many moderate changes of climate, I will menstone fences in our rocky country would tion a few that are very ornamental and be beautiful if covered with vines, and that would well repay the effort if they there are a great variety that grow well. can be grown. The Cherokee rose and other climbing Several of our best fruit trees are as roses, the sweet scented honeysuckles, ornamental as most trees grown only for the alamanda that always attracts attentheir beauty. The mango is a beautiful tion from strangers, the star or wild jesshade tree, remaining green all the year, samine and many others. as do the roseapple, canistelle. avocado, Mr. Davis, in Cape Florida, has made loquat, seagrape, tamarind, olive and a specialty of palms, and his beautiful others. grounds show that he has chosen wisely. Among the purely ornamental trees, Of course, the most handsome of these

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FLORIDA ST AT E HORTCULTURA b SOCIETY 75 is the royal palm. On account of its useMr. IPIielps-I used a fertilizer very fulness, we plant more of the cocoanut much the same as I used on my orange palm, and are beginning to grow the trees, only I don't want one that has too date. much anonia. The one that I use has 5 per cent of ammonia and 7 per cent. DISCUSS[ON. of phosphoric acid. This vine stands Mr. Hubbard-It may be of interest the sun very readily and does not reto the Society to know of those palms quire as much water as others. I do not which withstand our freezes. What apuse on any of these things any fertilizer pears to be the best of all is the Cocos that has organic substances; I use only australis. The foliage is similar to that chemicals. I do not put it into the soil: of the cocoanut. During the 1894 and I put it on top of the soil, so that the rain 1895 freezes it was not injured at all. The will wash it in. I don't think I have Sabal palmetto would show frozen spots stirred the soil at all during the past ten on the leaves, which was also the case years among my bignonias. with the Phoenix sylvestris and the Mr. Parnenter-I want to say a few Phoenix canariensis. It is also interestwords in a general way as to the great ing to note the California palms. A advisability of having in ornamentals as Washingtonia robusta on Mr. E. H. many as you can. From time to time I Hart's place, the trunk of which was have studied Mr. P. J. Berckmans' catatwenty or thirty feet high, was killed out logue, with the idea that what will grow entirely in the 1899 freeze, and the Filiin his vicinity will grow here, and I have fera filamentosa escaped. The fan noted down a few that have grown very palm I was speaking of is a Latonia nicely. One is the sycamore, and of all borbonica, a Chinese fan palm. This shade trees I think the sycamore is the was not killed out in the freeze, but the best. I carried one home in my hand leaves were all killed back. The needle from San Mateo several years ago. I palm, Chamaerops hystrix seen on the think it must be now sixty feet high. stairs, is said to be the only one of the I have a Texas cottonwood which is ten Chamaerops, the European fan palms, years old, and it must be thirty feet high. found in America. Botanists first disIt is recommended for a quick shade and covered it near Savannah. You will nofor a quick shade it certainly fills the bill. tice the needles about the base are six I have a Japanese varnish tree. It is or eight inches long. perhaps twenty feet high and has withMr. Phelps-It is the most brilliant stood all the cold and is perfectly hardy. green of all the palms, and its stem The Carolina poplar is another very fine sometimes grows up four feet before it tree. These I speak of in particular; spreads out in the dark green leaves. those that have succeeded and been very Question-What fertilizers are genersatisfactory. The Australian linden, I ally used to make such a success of bigthink, would succeed very well in Flornonias? ida.

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Civilization Increases Bird Life. BY S. POWERS, OF JACKSONVI LLE. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: some solitary vireo or similar frequenter Farmers sometimes grow a little weary of the deep woods. Only birds with of the oft-repeated lament over the destrong bills like the passenger pigeon can struction of the birds. There is no feed upon the oak and beech mast; doubt that there has been a ruthless hence these birds practically monoposlaughter of plume birds, but some Intellized the mighty forests; while turkeys ligent agriculturists who have given and water-fowls occupied the streams thought to the subject believe that ncan and grouse the prairies. There were feeds more birds than he kills. very few of those smaller, more obscure, Let us take the continent as it was in but more useful birds, of which untold its primeval condition. In the "starving millions now wait on the footsteps of time" of Jamestown Captain John Smith man. The showy, spectacular birdsfound no birds that he could use for food what may be called the stage properties for his perishing colonists except a few of "the great sloven continent" as it water-fowl and wild turkeys obtained stretched out waste and silent before the from the Indians. In the history of my discoverers-have been extirpated; but native state, Ohio, I have read the writthe little friends of man, the insect deings of over fifty men describing pioneer stroyers, have been multiplied beyond life, an( not one of them mentions any computation. birds except wild turkeys and passenger For instance, take the bird called in pigeons. In Fremont's narrative lie the South the rice-bird, and in the North mentions no birds until he gets beyond the bobolink. In the early history of the forests and emerges upon the plains, the Carolinas and Georgia, before rice when he speaks of "millions of waterculture was introduced, they were comfowl," "flocks of screaming plover," "a paratively scarce. Nowadays, on the supper of sea-gulls," etc. Arrived in rich feeding grounds of the rice fields, California, he found "some pretty birds they have propagated like locusts. They in the timber, and partridges, ducks and become so fat on rice that when one falls geese innumerable." Again, "Flocks of a distance to the ground it bursts asunblackbirds announced our approach to der: if a match is touched to the body, water" (the San Joaquin river). it will burn. The rice-bird is not a friend Every farmer has observed the loneof man in the South, but in the North it soreness of a great forest-only a is; and in both sections it is uncommonly mournful chirp at long intervals from good eating. Man raises this bird al-

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ILURILA STATE HUTICULTURAL SOCIETY 77 most as directly as he does the Leghorn. Florida's history, gloomy alike to man Again, take the quail. In the vast and bird, the leaves came no more. I piney woods and wiregrass belt along the had cut down my dismantled trees and South Atlantic and Gulf there is nothone morning I stood on my veranda and ing for the quail. The mast is scarce watched the bewildered mockers, searchand precarious, and needs a stouter bill inlg iII a solitary palmetto, in the ivy at than the quail's, and the wiregrass makes the chimney top, in the brush piles, for a no seed. There is not a more hopeless place where they might build. They region on the continent for birds. But put a, nest in a brush heap and laid their man clears away the forest and plants eggs, but the Still beat down hot on it, corn, and after the corn there comes up and they quitted it in (isotst. That a jungle of beggarweed, a rich legtLllme was a lonesome, silent summer il Flor(Desnodiun tortuosum), densely coverida; hut now the groves are growing up ing the field, hiding the cattle out of and the mockers are heard again. sight and even the cornstalks. It coyThe ,ame with the shrike or butcherers the ground with millionS if tiny bird. Lboth he and the mocker delight beans which nourish locks of quail and in an orange grove. I believe that their make Old Florida the sportsman's paranutmnber actually diminished that sum(Ise in winter. These countless quail nmer; that many of them raised no young and many other birds all feed on the because they had no homes, no orange bounty of man. groves. Take the mockin gbird. or the mocker, In the wise economy of nature, man as Floridians affectionately call it. has destroyed the birds lie did not need, Primeval Florida had millions oI parralut propagated those that were useful to keets and other gay-pllumaged, harshhim as consumers of tle weed seeds and voiced birds, fit companions for the stoic the insects that pillage his crops. The savage; but the sweet singer in its humpigeons were excellent food, but they reble dress, appointed to cheer the lonequired the beech mast, and beeches grew some orange grower, remote il the on the richest land which man needed piney woods, awaited his coming. \Vhen for his farims. The pigeons of England the orange groves were planted they were once as numerous as in America, took possession of them; they were satproportionately, b t when the beechisfied and increased greatly. Many a nuts were gone, as Gilbert White relates, night in May and June I have listened they fell to eating turnips, which ruined to their midnight serenade, especially on the flavor of their flesh. moonlight nights, one answering anThe grouse on the prairies were valother in some distant grove, in a wideable for food, but few in number, for circling chortls, a polyglot antiphone. prairie grass produced no seeds. Then came the disaster of 189,. The The spectacular plume-birds of Flormocker had seen the orange trees deida are gone or rapidly going. Is it not foliated before, but it built its nest with just as legitimate to kill one bird for its cheerful confidence, thinking that the plume as to kill another for its flesh? leaves would come and cover it from the Their beauty pleases man and honors the sun. But that spring, the saddest of Creator far more when displayed on the

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78 FLORIDA TAT E BORTICULTURAL SOCIE'YT bonnet of a comely woman in the city deal of respect for what our Secretary than it does when wasting and Totting in says; and I thought he was an advocate the unpeopled swamps of Florida. for the protection of birds. His subMore than that, these plume birds conject was the influence of man upon bird sume the fish that Florida needs for food life. Not its protection; I believe he and for fertilizer on her thin, sandy soils. has not advocated that. The closing of Whatever the Anglo-Saxon race does his remarks would show that he was anyis right, for it is the nearest representthing else but an advocate, and I quote ative of the Creator on earth. what he says about the plunmes looking so nice upon the ladies' bonnets. Now, DISCUSSION. I wish to say that the ladies of America are beautiful enough without the stolen Mr. Butler-I would like to ask Mr. embellishment of these beautiful birds. Powers why he don't stick to the text. They don't require to be decked up with He began with the influence of man these things. Away with them! Leave upon bird life, and ended up with the inthe birds to float in the air, filling our fluence of birds upon man. hearts with the songs of'heaven for ever Dr. Kerr-I generally have a great and ever. Pecan Culture. A. DISCUSSION. Prof. Hume-I hoped to avoid the statement regarding the pecan coming question because I have prepared nothtrue from seed. I have not been able to ing especially for the occasion. I startget hold of any nut from a pecan tree ed out nearly two years ago to give this that is just like the nut that was planted. subject some attention, and I still conI have gone through a number of the tinue to work on it. In fact, I am makgroves when they were in fruit and when ing it one of the special lines of my inI find a tree giving nuts no larger than vestigation. I am very sorry that Dr. the tip of my finger, I am pretty nearly Curtis is not here, and would not like to in a state of mind to ask the owner to say too much, because I might be trescut it down immediately, and there are passing on his ground. But the line of hundreds of trees that bear nuts of that investigation that I am pursuing at presdescription. They are little larger than ent is that of top-working pecan trees. I chinquapins. All sorts of opinions are am becoming more and more disgusted, brought forward against budded or with the seedling pecan. I have no use grafted pecans, but to my mind they for it and I have but little faith in the have no superior. Why a pecan should

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FLOIbDA STATIC HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 79 not bear as well as any other tree when concerned, and not the growth of the they are budded is a question I cannot pecan on the hickory, there is no quesunderstand. Some bring forward the tion of success. There seems to be a statement that the grafted orange is not natural adaptation between the two. If long-lived, and so they say it will be with we can successfully graft the pecan into the pecan. Men who make that stateour young hickories, we have a source of ment don't know what they are talking income which is well worth looking into. about. Then again if you bud the tree So far as the actual fact is concerned, and then transplant it, it will not grow there is no question on that point. If well. Top-working can be done as well the graft grows on the hickory, I do not on the pecan as on a plum, peach or see why the fruit should not be as good any other tree. The methods by which as any other tree which is grafted. Alit is accomplished are three in number. though I don't know the result, still I The cleft graft is probably the most see no reason. successful for top-working. The work Prof. Hume-I did not refer particuhas to be done in Florida between the larly to the quality of the nut, but to middle of February and the first week in adaptation of that stock. I don't see March. I would run down as closely as why it can't be successfully done. possible to the commencement of The pecan and the hickory are as closely growth. Of course, if you have a large related as the sour and the sweet orange. number to work over, you cannot leave We have the different varieties of hickit off until the last three Or four (lays. ories which belong to the same genus The budding is principally of two forms, and are very closely related. While we or one with a modification of it. The can graft and work the pecan upon the common form is the annular method. hickory successfully, I believe it will The budding should be (lone between never come into favor with the nurseryJuly and August, and I believe by giving men, for it is easier for them to get pethis matter attention they can be very cans for stock. successfully worked over to a new vaMr. Porcher-I would like to ask Mr. riety, and I believe it would be very profFairbanks what is known as to the reitable. sults of grafting the hickory, such as is grafted to the pecan. As I understand, PECAN ON HICKORY STOCK. it is usually scrub hickory, which very seldom attains beyond a certain size, and Mr. Fairbanks-I would ask what is in a few instances they grow for a time your experience with grafting the pecan and then stop. to the hickory? Mr. Fairbanks-The hickories are in Prof. Hume-I have in mind a large character equal and otherwise the same. grove of hickory trees where it is being Mr. Cooper-I grafted some hickories carried out, but I cannot speak of the rethis spring, got a specially fine variety suilt. from Orlando, and there was a row of Mr. Fairbanks-I have had expeyoung seedling hickories on that place. rience of grafting the pecan into the I got only four grafts and we had a very hickory. So far as the graft itself is dry spring, but I spared no care and the

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80 PLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY nuts were very fine. Of the four grafts grove, the result of that grafting. The that I inserted into the roots, they are trees when I saw them a few years after not very large, but they were some of were full of nuts, and those nuts, accordthem three or four feet apart, and there ing to his taste-and he was a very tasty was only one of those grafts that tried to man-he considered better than almost live. A little later, about the first of any he had ever eaten. They seemed to March, I had a seedling pecan that is be exceedingly fine. They were not very only four or five years of age, and I took large, but twigs were as large as the oroff grafts just previous to the budding dinary pecan scions then, and as soon as out and tried four more of those hickory I was allowed to go home from the court seedlings, and I have not got one to live. I took some with me and cleft-grafted I would like to ask Professor Hume in them into the hickory with great success. regard to this budding. It would be difA year ago in February I took a scion ficult to get limbs low enough. Would from one of them and cleft-grafted it a you saw the tree off or would you head little below the ground. They made a the branches back? growth one of about seven and one Prof. Hume-I would prefer to leave about eight feet, and had .several the stubs of branches and let them come branches from two to four feet long; out. made a most remarkable growth. It seems to me that one of the best ways is GRAFTING AND BUDDING. to cleft-graft below ground. There are a number of trees on the Halifax river Mr. Grifing-When we started in the that were grafted on the hickory. They pecan business we tried grafting and we grew very successfully. got very few to live. After a good deal Mr. Wiley-I have had some little exof experimenting we gave up the graftperience this spring in grafting both the ing. In July and August we have found pecan and hickory, and I found that out that budding is most successful. wherever I grafted tinder ground. the Year before last I had fully 50 per cent. success is very much better. Very unof our buds to grow, and we are very fortunately, this spring I have lost over much in favor of budding. All the way 50 per cent. of my grafts on account of through we find the percentage is very dry weather. Between the first and much higher. middle of March they had started to Mr. Gaitskill-I have had some expegrow beautifully, but when this dry rience with the hickory and had fine sucweather set in I think I have lost over 50 cess with grafting. It was as easily per cent. of them. I have done very litdone as anything I have ever done. I tle grafting until this year. I would like had no trouble at all. to know if there is any member of the Mr. Hart-Mr. Adams, the former Society that has had any experience this President of this Society, years ago had season in grafting. a good many sprouts come up in his Mr. Gaitskill-My grafting this year grove, so he put grafts into them. I was usually under ground, and my sucdon't know whether he did any budding cess was very poor. I don't claim that or not. The trees are scattered over his this result is conclusive. I have laid a

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FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIRITY 1 portion of the blame to the dry spring. some six or seven years ago and they Heretofore I have always taken the prenow range from four to twelve feet high. caution to mix up a clay putty, and after Last fall I was very much surprised to inserting the graft I applied clay, and if find the limbs all cut off. Looked as if the season was (lry I applied Spanish someone had taken the clipper and clipmoss, and this year I did not take that ped off the ends. I picked up the limbs precaution. So I have no reason to and on close examination I saw that blame the weather. At the same time there had been an insect at work. I I took such trouble with the insertion I remember that I had heard that that was expected better results. I had much one of the ways which insects have of better results in the same soil with the propagating themselves, by cutting off persimmon. the limbs, and I did not know of any Mr. Taber-Success or failure in other way than to gather tip all those grafting the pecan depends very largely twigs and urn them. upon the weather that ensues. If the Prof. Hume-I would simply state ground is moist there is very little danthat what Mr. Mann (lid was the best ger of any natural loss; at least, success and the only thing to do. The egg is is practically insured. But if the weather 'aid toward the top ( ?) of the twig turns very (fry and the clons dry out, and then the insect walks down a short which they will do, the loss will be heavy. distance and cuts off the twig. A gentleman who had grafted some peMr. Mann-Is there any way to precan seedlings had a method that was vent his work before we find the limb quite interesting to me. He cut off the cut ? limbs anywhere from an inch to an inch Mr. Cooper-I would just say for the and a half in diameter and inserted cons benefit of this gentleman that five years well waxed over, and the next thing he ago I put out about a hundred very fine did was to fill a bottle of water and tie pecan trees. They were seedlings and it on the stub of the tree. Wrap the bore fine fruit, but that little insect would cion with one end of a cloth and keep cut off the twigs. [ got my foreman, the other end in the bottle of water. Cagot a cane rod, wrapped moss around it, pillary attraction keeps the cion wet and sent out a man very early in the morning prevents drying out. and burned them off. We have headed Mr. Butler-I grafted a citrus tree and them off in that way, so they don't cut found by putting a jelly glass over it them at all. Take this moss with oil on it did much better. it, not too much of a fire, and you will Mr. Mann-I have about forty seedstop that work. ling pecan trees. I planted the nuts

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A Grape Experiment Station. BY H. VON LUTTICHAU, OF EAR LETON. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: they will invariably die in a year or two. This report will be confined to the exVitis riparia and Vitis rupestris are the periment vineyard I have in charge for only suitable stock for Florida. Our the Department of Agriculture, Division own native wild bunchgrape, a Southern of Pomology. Aestivalis, is also not suitable. The very I leave to the other members of your close trimming necessary to produce the committee to report on grapes in genbest fruit of Vitis vinifera does not agree eral. with any aestivalis roots; it strengthens The object of the Department is to Riparia and Rupestris, but weakens all find, if possible, some varieties of Vitis Aestivalis. vinifera that can be recommended for The vines arrived in poor order, poorgeneral planting and that may prove a ly rooted; naturally there were losses, benefit to the State. twenty per cent. perhaps, which were reWe cannot say that the grapes we are placed by the Department the following growing now in Florida, American or year. They were set out in proper vinehybrids, are satisfactory. If we want a yard form, a stake of fence-rail size and grape for market outside the State we two pounds of blood and bone to each must have one that comes as near as vine. Clean culture, in fact, extra good possible to the hothouse grape; for that culture, was given all the time, and by we have to go to Vitis vinifera. Two fall the vines completely covered the years ago the Department invited me to five-foot stakes and hung down to the take charge of an experiment vineyard ground. No disease whatever. or grafted Vinifera varieties to be estabDuring the following winter a trellis lished on my place at Earleton. Should of three wires was built, the vines were I accept, the possible benefit to the State cut back to one or two good eyes and was apparent, and personally it could not again fertilized with about two pounds fail to be of interest to me, as I have of blood and bone. I had the most luxalways been interested in the culture of uriant growth on these vines I ever saw; the grape. they covered not only the trellis, but the Early in March two years ago I reground as well. ceived about 5oo vines of about 125 vaThey were sprayed with Bordeaux -ieties, all grafted on Vitis riparia and mixture about every ten daysthe leaves Vitis rupestris. To attempt to grow remained perfect until fall, the wood Viniferas on their own roots is useless; ripened to the end. January last a

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FLORIDA NTATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 83 fourth wire was added, and all vines of promising fruit. Spraying is done every the first planting were trimmed to fruitten or twelve days, depending much on ing spurs, the best and only principle for the weather, and will be kept up until Florida. All my vines begin their spurs fruit shall begin to ripen. By the end ten inches from the ground; to get them of June I shall be able to present to anydepends on the management of the one the finest collection of ripe Vinifera spring growth the year before, which grapes ever seen in Florida. naturally is all-important, in fact, the Still, no variety could yet be safely foundation of the vine. recommended ; but at your next meeting Each vine received about April I two I shall be able to name some varieties and one-half pounds of blood and bone that can he planted with a fair chance and potash, and at this writing they have of success-if grafted on Vitis riparia or again covered the four wire trellis, and Tilpestris only. with very few exceptions are full of most GRAPES, FIGS, KAKI. By W. D. Griffing, of the Committee. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: the Scuppernong, which by many is conVery little interest is manifested in sidered best of all. Tenderpulp is valany kind of fruit growing for commerable for canning. The James is comcial purposes, outside of the citrus famparatively new and is a very large, fineBly, by this Society ; and for this reason looking fruit that sells well in local marmany of the meetings have been of very kets; is also of fair quality, but in my little value to some of the members in estimation not up to either Thomas or the northern and western part of the Scuppernong. It ripens later and lasts State. longer. We have had James until frost. The subject of grapes, figs and kaki We have alsosucceeded in getting will, no doubt, be of interest to some of very fine specimen bunches of most of the members of the Society, as fruits for the trellis varieties that we have tested, home uses at least. We try to have a but find they must be on thoroughly few of all the varieties we grow in fruitwell drained land of good quality. Ives, ing, which amounts to the same thing as Concord, Niagara and Moore's Early are the average grower having a few for the most easily raised, but with special home use. In grapes we have quite succare we have raised as fine De'awares cessfully fruited all varieties of the Musas I ever saw. cadine class, and believe them perfectly at home in any part of Florida. The FIGS. Thomas is the earliest with us by about ten days, and is about the best for eating My experience with figs has been out of hand. This is closely followed by mostly with the native varieties, of which

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84 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Celestial, Brown Turkey, Lemon, Green good condition and sold well. On the Ischia and Brunswick are leading sorts. strength of this he has planted an These all do well in our part of the State, orchard of about 2500 trees, using Hyabut I consider Celestial the most valuakume, Hachiya and Tanne Nashi. He ble, as the tree seems to be hardier, and does not expect to market them all in it is the most prolific and regular bearer. England, but will give that market a The fruit though small is very sweet and thorough trial. He has had good success excellent for preserves. Old fig trees in our Northern markets. will stand much more cold than young The right soil for persimmons is quite ones. I have noticed in Jacksonville an important factor, for while the native that very few trees that were five to six persimmon seems to thrive in almost inches or more in diameter were killed any kind of place, I have noticed that by the '99 freeze, while all smaller ones the Japanese varieties on it do not last were killed to the ground. I think it long on wet or heavy soils, while on will pay to bank all fig trees, at least in well drained, sandy soil they last much North Florida, quite high in winter, as better. It is my opinion that the best it is possible to save enough of the tree soil for them is the high, sandy land of to make fruit the following season, even which there is an abundance in Florida, if the top does freeze. and there is no objection to planting in We are experimenting with about old fields. thirty varieties of figs, mostly from CaliFor home use there is no variety of fornia, some of which promise fruit this more value than the Zengi. The most year, and we are in hopes to be able to of its fruit is good while hard, and imincrease our list by finding something of proves as it gets soft, until it is as delarger size and more hardy. In my licious as a persimmon can get. It opinion, the dampness in Florida would makes the best tree, and is the most promake it as impossible to dry figs, as we lific and regular bearer. The Hyakume, are used to seeing them on the market, Hachiya, Tanne-Nashi, Yemon and as it would be to cure raisins; but if we Okame are the favorite market sorts. can succeed in producing an abundance The Costata, Tsuru and Triumph are of fine fruit I believe there will be great good late varieties, but must be thorpossibilities in canning, also in fresh fruit oughly ripe, in fact so soft that they will in near-by markets. hardly hold together, before they are good to eat. KAKI. DISCUSSION. The kaki or Japan persimmon is a grand fruit for home use, and also has Mr. Bradt-I would like to ask what considerable market value, as they are success, if any, there has been derived found in all our large fruit markets in from shipping persimmons? their season, and practically all of these Mr. Embry-Mr. Stevens told me that are raised in Florida. A friend of mine he had applications for many more than has shipped them to England, and rehe could supply, at advanced prices. ports that they were received in fairly Mr. Bradt-I have made an effort to

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FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 85 cultivate them, and succeeded, but they going to ship him a car every day or did not keep any time at all, and unless two. He got there, thought the marI find some way to cure them I should ket was very favorable indeed to handle consider it a total failure. grapes, and he was a little stiff about it Mr. Pierson-Did the trees hold the with the commission men; was going to fruit well ? handle those grapes himself. I had a Mr. Bradt-They have kot fruited hundred pounds that I shipped and got heavily as yet. They don't mature all back twenty-two cents in stamps for my at once. Last year they bloomed for an share. Five of us went on a note in the extended time. This year they seem bank to pay the freight on those grapes to be blooming all at once. I had sevand to ice them an(l we had that note to eral trees that I was watching very carepay. That was my experience with Niagfully, and they promised a very nice ara grapes. crop, but (luring the rainy season their Mr. Porcher-The trouble with the fruit dropped and I was wondering if it Niagara grape is that it is too early. It was usual, or if others had better succomes into the market when the market cess. > is full of all other kinds of fruit. The Mr. Parmenter-I would ike to know consequence is that it is practically imwhat experience anyone has had in shippossible to sell them. I have been ping Niagara grapes? North and seen them arrive, and they W. A. Cooper-It is so long ago I alliterally could not bring the freight most forgot, and I wish I had. I don't charges. an(d yet that grape, coming in ship them ; don't stand shipping at all. later, if it could be induced to hold on They fall off the stem. When they get to the stem, it would be sold at very to Cincinnati or New York, you lift good prices. them up, and the grape stays in the vesMr. Embry-I would like to say that sel while the stem comes tip in your Salem is a very desirable grape to grow. hand. The only thing I can say is, Question-What of the Delaware and don't. the Catawba? Mr. Embry-I have had some experMr. Embry-It will take a Delaware ience in the shipping of grapes, and it vine four years to get up to the size of was a success. Sold them at $2 a crate, almost any other vine of two years. and have also shipped to St. Petersburg The Delaware grape is a good grape, and made a success. but I would hardly recommend it, and Mr. Cooper-We shipped a carload of for any near-by market I would say that very fine ones to Chicago to the World's the Ives was preferable. In quality the Fair; sent a gentleman on to represent Delaware cannot be beat. us, and he was to sell them. We were

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Official Business. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The Nominating Committee, consistsurprised last year, and now he was more ing of F. D. Waite, Dr. George Kerr surprised than ever. and Cyrus W. Butler, presented a ticket Chairman Phelps said he felt it a high to the Society, re-electing all the old ofhonor to be elected to the same position ficers. fifteen years consecutively. C. T. McCarty moved that a formal Mr. Hubbard said the Society had ballot be dispensed with and that all the (lone a great work, andl he had felt it an old officers be declared re-elected. Carhonor to serve on the committe so many ried. years. The Society still has a great (See list in front pages of the bock.; work of education to do, and he illusDr. Kerr said the situation was truly trated this point by a story of an ignoappalling to him, as he was one of the rant old man who pointed out the ladycommittee, and the others dragooned bug feeding on the scales and said to him into nominating himself for re-elechim, "Mr. Hubbard, you ought to kill tion. them there lady-bugs. They breeds the President Taber made a graceful acscale. You ought to kill every one of knowledgement, and the Secretary said 'em." he would simply say "Ditto." Mr. Painter made a humorous speech, Treasurer Hart returned thanks for punning on the names of the other ofthis renewed evidence of confidence. ficers. Vice-President Cooper said he was SELECTION OF NEXT PLACE OF MEETING. C. W. Butler-A citizen of Tampa exto the West Coast that we concluded to pected to be here and extend to you a put forward the invitation from Tampa cordial invitation to hold your next for the next meeting. Looking over the meeting there, but the party did not arsituation as a whole, Jacksonville has rive. This morning and last night so done nobly by us, and St. Augustine is many members and especially those from to me the most delightful place I have the East Coast expressed a desire to go ever visited. But in the language of a

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PLORIDA STATE HORTICL]TUAA SOCIETY 87 member whose words bore weight, this they have a warm place in our hearts. question is a business one and should be No other place in the State was better settled upon a business basis. The obable to entertain us in an emergency ject of the Society should not be forgotlike this. They had everything necesten and the greatest good of the greatest sary. They have done so nobly we wish number should be considered; and there to extend to their the token of our reseems no place that so much needs your gard and appreciation. aid as the part around Tampa. The Last year i, in conversation with many seeds of good you could sow there would members of this Society, reached the be very great, and with the encourageconclusion that the time had arrived ment that comes from the presence of when this Society should have a permathe Society I doubt not we should get nent home. When we should not be a new members. I would be willing to jumping Association from year to year guarantee seventy-five. I am more running around the State. We believe than sorry Mr. Gillett was not here, bethat we should have a permanent home cause in my feeble way I am not able to where we could have a hall and a library present the situation, but I ask each and many other things that this Society member to think of this matter and to needs. Events have transpired that accept his better impulses. have swept these things away, that have Mr. F. D. Waite and Mr. J. C. Carter dashed that for the present from the supported Mr. Butler in his invitation. lips of Jacksonville. I wish to say this Mr. Painter-I move that we meet at in favor of our meeting in Tampa, that Tampa. we appreciate that magnanimity with Mr. McCarty-I believe the question which they submitted to defeat last year. is before the house now. Mr. ChairThere is no nobler trait in the human man, there is probably no necessity to race than to take disappointment gracesay much, but there are some phases of fully. We pay them that tribute now this matter that ought to be placed beand if they ever had a sore spot in their fore the members of this Society in orhearts, we hope that we are forgiven. der that we may all understand each othFurther than that, I wish to say this er, in order that harmony may prevail with reference to our future, and when I now and in the future. say this I speak not only for a large numStanding in a hall so beautifully decober of the individual members of this rated as this has been by the hands of Society, but for some of its ablest memthe hospitable people of St. Augustine, hers, we do not relinquish, in going to and taking this vote, it might be enough Tampa this year, the position that we to give them the impression that we do took last year, that Jacksonville offers not appreciate their hospitality. There the proper place for the permanent never was a meeting where we have enhome of this Association. joyed ourselves more, where there has With these few statements, I take been more cordiality and hospitality expleasure in seconding the motion that tended to us, and in parting with them the meeting be held at Tampa next this year we wish to assure them that year.

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88 FLORIDA RTATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Mr. Amsdem-This year we had only that the date set was sufficient to get the one day in which to purchase our tickets people into Jacksonville before the eveand we had to start on that day. ning meeting, and it was for almost evMr. Taber-In regard to the rate itery one in the State. And when we got self, the one-cent-a-mile rate is not only them to change our place of meeting to a special rate, but a very special rate. I St. Augustine we did not ask them to don't know of any other society in the give us more time. Perhaps we should State that has secured that rate. It is a have gotten it in that way, but at that rate that the railroads are very chary time in Jacksonville the railroad officials about giving to any society. One fare and all other officials were all up in arms. and a quarter for the round trip is as There was that terrible calamity upon good a rate as any other society gets. them and we did not ask them any more Some years ago Mr. Healy, through his than we could help. influence, obtained the special rate, and The vote for Tampa was unanimous. we have had that rate every year since. Mr. Butler-If you derive one-half the The railroads have very kindly recogbenefit that I do or one-half the pleasnized our position and accorded us that ure from the entertainment the next rate ever since. This year they accordyear, I believe you will be well satisfied. ed the cent-a-mile rate asked to JacksonI should have stated that, in regard to ville, and it was announced just the day the railroad fare, one cent a mile has before the Jacksonville fire that notice been promised already. had been received from Mr. Richardson, Mr. Taber-I think I am safe in sayby the Secretary stating the rate had ing that we can obtain a longer time been accorded. Of course, that fire during which the rate will be applicachanged altogether our place of meetble. ing, and we then had to go to them and Dr. Inman-In behalf of Polk county, ask them to put into effect for St. AuI extend you our thanks. I think it is gustine the rate that they had made us a wise move; I think it will conduce to to Jacksonville and they did so. Now, the growth and the health of the Society in relation to the time of getting to our and I think that we can give you one destination, I would say that when Jackhundred new members from Polk, Desonville was decided upon as the place Soto, Manatee and Hillsborough counof meeting, the representatives thought ties during the next year.

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Officers' Reports. REPORT OF SECRETARY. If the members of this Society will experience has certainly demonstrated come with me I will conduct them the value of the practice. through the streets of Jacksonville to Up to date .1 have received 280 fees the ruins of a certain house. In the from annual members, and our list of life middle there is a little heap of yellow members has been increased this year ashes, and in places you can still trace by nine recruits, making 240 annuals, the outlines of books and decipher some 49 life members, and 2 honorary. letters. Take up a handful of them and RECEIPTS FOR THE YEAR. they have a very soft and velvety feeling. There is a large amount of good brain Back numbers sold .......... $ 86 25 matter in those ashes, but our enterprisMembership fees ............ 280 00 ing fellow members who manufacture Life members ................90 00 fertilizers would not pay twenty-five Donation by Amos Wakelin ...2 00 cents a hundred for them for use in their goods. That little heap of yellow ashes Total receipts ........... $458 25 is all that remains of the voluminous EXPENsES. records and reports of this Society. I happened to have a few copies of the Postage and stationery ........$ 24 00 reports in my office. Mr. W. S. Hart, Printing ....................28 60 Mr. E. S. Hubbard and Dr. J. M. Hawks Addressing envelopes ........ .1 00 have kindly supplied some missing numTelegrams .. ................ 1 25 bers, and with a little further assistance 210 badges .................. 10 00 I can reconstruct the file. Drayage and freight .......... 1 00 On behalf of the Society, I wish to return thanks to several gentlemen for Total expenses .......... $ 65 85 their zeal in securing new members by a Balance paid on Secretary's salpersonal canvass. Prominent among ary .. ....................$44 25 these are Messrs. F. D. Waite, James Retained for immediate use .... 18 15 Henry, E. S. Hubbard, E. V. Blackman and Rev. Lyman Phelps. Several years $128 25 ago the Executive Committee authorTurned over to Treasurer Hart $330 00 ized the Secretary to appoint such depuSTEPHEN POWERS, ties to conduct personal canvasses, and Secretary.

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90 PLORIDA 8TATE HORTICULTURAL, SOCIETY P. S. I have the pleasure of stating REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMthat, since the adjournment, President Taber has donated to the Society over MITTEE. sixty volumes of the back Reports, and other members have contributed a few. The members of the Committee not The Secretary will now be able not only present, by letter to President Taber at to restore a complete file, but also to the time of the Jacksonville fire, authorpresent to life members who may subized him to change the place of meeting scribe in the future nearly complete sets at his discretion, under the extraordiof our Reports. Of the first three years nary circumstances, and this action is and the last two there is still a scant supnow fully approved, and the Secretary ply, however, and donations of these to is instructed to embody it in this rethe Society will be acceptable. port. The Committee has held no other meeting since the last annual meeting in Jacksonville, and the members by letter TREASURER'S REPORT FOR 1901. authorized the Secretary to publish the proceedings, and approved the bills pre1900. Dr. sented by him for this printing. May 3rd, to balance from last The Executive Committee held a full Report .. .................$27730 meeting at 8 a. m., May 23, 1901, passed Sept. 12, to Sec. Powers, Cr. on upon and approved the annual reports salary acct. ............... .44 25 of the Secretary and Treasurer. 1901. LYMAN PHELPS, May 22, to Sec. Powers, cash. .330 00 E. S. HUBBARD, E. 0. PAINTER, $651 55 Executive Committee. Cr. Aug. 2, 1900, by Sec. Powers, draft No. i9...............$244 11 Sept. 2. by Sec. Powers, draft REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITN o.20 ................... 75 00 May 22. 1901, by balance in TEE ON LIBRARY. treasury .. ............... 332 44 Your Committee would report that $651 55 they have received a cash donation of The Treasurer takes pleasure in stat$20 from President Geo. L. Taber for ing further that he now has in hand the the purpose of starting a library for the further sum of $42.25 contributed by the Society, and three donations of books. members at this meeting for the relief of One of the donations was from Mr. W. the sufferers from the great fire in JackS. Hart, and consisted of files of valuable sonville. horticultural and apiarian periodicals. W. S. HART, The other contribution, deserving Treasurer. special mention, was made by Mrs.

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FLORIDA STATIH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 91 Frances E. Manville, widow of A. H. and had bound and placed in it a set of Manville. who was for years an active the bulletins of the Florida Experiment member and officer of this Society, and Station (presented by himself), two volwas always foremost in good works for umes of Semi-Tropical Florida and six the benefit of the horticulturists of Florvolumes of Insect Life. ida. These books had been carefully The outlay was as follows: preserved and labelled by Mr. Manville, Book case ................... $12 0O and consisted of several standard works Binding to volumes ............10 00 on orange culture, files of Insect Life Putting lock on book case ..... 85 and various horticultural magazines and last, but by no means least, an almost Total .. .. ...............$22 85 complete file of the Reports of the DeG. L. TABER, partment of Agriculture. S. POWERS, With the funds donated the Secretary W. S. HART, purchased a small sectional book case Committee. Grafting and Budding. Considered from the Standpoint of an Orange Grower. BY W. S. HART, OF HAWKS PARK. Having been appointed chairman of conception of what they should be, was the Citrus Committee to prepare the first lately impressed on my mind by the sugreport it ever presented to this Society, gestion, from a non-resident orange I asked my co-workers to assist in so grower, that a digest of the back reports framing that report as to constitute an of this Society would result in a muchenduring basis on which to build needed work on citrus culture, and one through future reports and resulting disof far more value than could be hoped cussions, as comprehensive and up-tofor from the pen of a single writer. A date a treatise on citrus culture as this desire to assist in filling in the gaps that Society proved itself capable of conwould necessarily occur should such a structing. That the cumulative results digest be made at this time is one of of all the past work of that standing my excuses for presenting this paper. committee and other members, through In discussing the subjects of grafting discussing this branch of horticulture, and budding, I will do so from the standhave, in a measure, come up to my early point of an orange grower in the hopes

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f2 FLORIDA 8TATE HORTICULTURAL ROVIETT of saving time thereby, while yet meetbuds from the very tips of a scion, will ing the needs of the greater portion of give the skilled hand a hope of adding to those of this State who require assisthis list of fruits. My choice for fall cutance in these matters. ting is fairly matured wood of late sumIn all this class of work the first thing mer or fall growth, showing well develto consider, after you have the stock to oped buds and thornless. Angular work on, is the variety or varieties you wood is not objectionable, but rank wish to propagate. If a nurseryman, watersprouts, so-called, from the body you need more or less of all valuable vaof the tree should be avoided. Wood rieties, but such men know their busifrom a bearing limb is preferred by ness, and need no instruction from me. many, but I have little choice between To the novice in the business and to that and wood from a thrifty tree of those just entering it let me say, don't younger growth. Either one will give mix many varieties in one grove for fruit as soon as it ought to, rightly hanmarket uses. Two or three at most are dled. Cut the scion with a sharp knife, enough and put these in solid blocks. trim off the leaves immediately to preThis would not be good advice to the vent evaporation, then lay them on the pear tree planter, but with citrus fruits ground in a shady place and cover with long practice shows it to be so. If many sphagnum moss, or put them in a box of varieties are desired for novelty's sake, old, partly rotted sawdust. In either or for exhibition, etc., put them, a tree case, place them where they will be exor two of a kind, in a block by themposed to the weather, and they will calselves. Having decided, say in the lus at the ends and keep in good shape fall, what varieties to propagate, cut for months. your scions in fall or winter before the From the apparent dormancy of winactive movement of sap begins, in late ter until the blossom buds reach the size January or in February. At this time of turkey shot, cleft-grafting may be the finest of scions can be cut in plenty. done. Here, from January to early In March, April or May much nice March, is usually the best season for the growth must be sacrificed to secure a orange. few poor buds, as nearly every well-developed bud has put out a sprout that is WAX AND KIT. still too tender to use. For the work one needs a ball of graftBEST BUDS TO USE. ing wax made of three parts rosin, two of beeswax and one of tallow, melted toIn an emergency, however, as where gether thoroughly and then turned into it is the only chance of securing a much cold water. When cool enough to handesired variety, almost any kind of bud, dle it should be pulled like molasses if rightly handled and the proper stock is candy until a light yellow color. A found, can be made to grow. In such a small lump of tallow to prevent the wax case, buds that have already put out one from sticking to the hands should be or even two shoots, small buds from tiny in the kit. A sharp saw, a thin-edged, growth, immature wood freshly cut, or strong knife, three or four hardwood

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PLORID.I STATE tIORTICULTURAL SOC(MTY 93 wedges six or eight inches long and of cuts. Slip these firmly into place, so varying widths, a light hammer or mallet that the cambium layer (the soft layers and, if working near the ground, a stiff just under the bark) of stock and scion brush. Of course, a pair of hand prunmay come in contact as much as possiing-shears should always be in such a kit ble. If the scions are set at a slight as well as a small whetstone. angle with the stock, this contact is pretty. sure to be obtained. Now withdraw CLEFT-GRAFTING. the wedge, coat airtight with wax all cut surfaces, not forgetting the top of each Cleft-grafting is especially useful in scion, and the process is complete. This working over trees or sprouts from the kind of grafting is especially successful root or trunk of injured trees of larger in working kaki, pecans, grape and many size, that range from three-quarters of other trees and vines at or below the an inch to three inches in diameter. It surface of the ground. If well below, is also a good means of working over as is best with grape vines, no wax is large tops by grafting limbs, as is done needed. Banked with moist earth nearly with apple trees. Where sprouts or to the top bud, after being tied with cotlimbs are grafted a part only should be ton twine to hold the parts firmly toworked, and the rest left until the grafts gether, they can be left without further have made a fair leaf surface. It may attention, as the twine will rot off at the be necessary to lop them by cutting proper time. partly off and laying d(own, but don't cut them away until the sweet top can CROWN-GRAFTING. take care of the root. The stock or limb to be cleft-grafted Crown-grafting is usually practiced is sawed off at a right angle to the course with large stocks after the sap has beof the stock, shave the top smooth, then come active in the spring, so the bark split it by driving the knife down into it will slip easily. The tree is best cut off through the middle, unless the stock is some inches under ground, the scion too large for this, in which case it can wedged by a long, slanting cut on one be split near one side or a saw cut can side, leaving two or three buds above, be made to receive the scion. The grain then pushed down under the bark at a of many orange trees being quite point where its outline is concave. crooked, it is sometimes well to drive the Were swelling or convex surfaces chosen knife in at the side a little way before the bark would crack and not hold the splitting the stock. This gives straight scion firmly. If the trunk is large, sevsurface to hold the scion. Remove the eral of these grafts may be inserted so knife and open the cleft with the wedge the top will spread from the ground. best suited to the size of the stock, alMoist earth is then packed to the scions, lowing plenty of room on one or both leaving only the top bud exposed. This sides for the sprig of buds. Now cut the method puts the junction of stock and scions to a wedge-shape that will fit the graft, the weakest part, below the reach cleft, leaving the outer side a trifle the of cold, in trees too large to cleft-graft, thickest, and with two buds above the so that if frozen to the ground they will

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94 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY start growth from grafted wood. It also top over in a way to make a long split gives a surprising growth of wood and upward. It is surprising what a crop a quick return of the tree to a profitable of fruit can be made, even on a shy bearbearing condition. In hot weather er like the navel, through a wide, thin shade should be used to prevent the sliver connecting the top with the root. roasting of the grafts. A notable inAfter cutting, as above, cover the stance of the successful use of this kind wound with liquid wax. I have given of grafting was that of our late lamented the recipe for this wax before, but it is President Dudley W. Adams, immegood enough to bear repeating here: diately after the freeze of 1895. The Melt one pound of rosin with two ounces only drawback in its use for restoring of tallow, remove from fire and when groves of citrus fruits on sour stock is slightly cooled add six ounces of alcohol that it carried the sweet wood down and, last, one ounce of turpentine. Keep where it is liable to attacks from foot rot well corked in large-mouthed bottle with on lands subject to that disease. I.t puts brush thrust through the cork. the tree about on a par with sweet seedThe mode of side-grafting is to take lings in this respect. Foot rot (mal de well matured twigs, cut to a taper from goma) will often jump up a foot from one side, as in crown-grafting, except the ground to reach sweet wood, that is, that I cut a little deeper at first, and then on resistant stock. run out the rest of the way in a thin Crown-grafting can, however, be (lone tapering tongue that will easily bend to at any height in sound stock. the curvature of the trunk. Small wood for grafts may not make SIDE-GRAFTING. as vigorous a first growth as larger wood, but it is easier to use and will soon Side-grafting is the simplest of all the make up in growth. A vertical cut is methods and is applicable to large wood made in the bark of the stock about at any time when the bark will slip sufthree-quarters of an inch long and slantficiently to allow of fairly successful buding in the direction the graft is to take. (ling. It is also often successful when With a slight twist of the knife the bark budding is not. In the case of large is started from the wood and the seedlings or other trees to be worked wedged part of the scion slipped under over, side-grafts put in in the fall, left at an angle of twenty to fifty degrees dormant until the spring and then from the course of the stock. If well started out by lopping the tops, will al(lone, there is little need of wrapping. low of a fine crop of fruit from the old If poorly (lone, wrap and then stick an top while the new one is being grown. orange thorn under the wrapping at There is quite a knack in properly each side of the scion to hold the bark laying down the old tops, so as not to close. After a good-sized top is made throw off the bark at the bud. To do from the grafts the old top can be cut this successfully, saw pretty nearly away. through the old trunk a little way above Tongue. shoulder, lip, saddle and that the graft, put a firm bearing against it class of grafting are in little use among a few inches above the cut, then pull the orange growers. They are mostly

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FLORI)A STATE EORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 95 adapted to small stock where we use the rounded a little on the under, it works shield bud, so I will not stop to describe all the better. them. Annular or ring budding is seldom practical on the citrus, but is found useSHIELD BUDDING. ful in working the pecan and some other difficult stocks. Shield budding is a process that allows It is done by simply removing a short of the rapid working of nursery or other ring of bark from a sprout and replacing small stock, and has in years past been it with one of like size having a bud upon the one in almost universal use in Florit, from the scion. This should fit the ida for that class of work. wound nicely and be well wrapped. A very few are now grafting nursery stock to some extent and charging more PREPARING THE BUD. for the trees so worked under the claim that they make more rapid growth. Take the scion in your left hand, butt Much of this budding being done close from you, holding it between forefinger to the ground, it is an excellent plan to and thumb, so that the bud to be cut is have a box arranged to serve as a seat about over the middle of the palm. and a tool-carrier combined. Mine is Holding knife blade at an acute angle mnade of three-eighths inch white pine with the scion, make a drawing cut from except the top, which is seven-eighths a little below the bud to about the same and covers a little over half of it. It is distance above. So holding and cutlox14x7 inches with two compartments ting prevents the knife from running and several sockets for scions, knife, with the grain of the wood. a smooth pencil, etc., on inside, and for pruning under-surface to the shield being very saw and record book outside. The important. If the wood is full and front end is tapered down to four inches round, an even shield shape with the bud high. My kit of tools include scions in near its center is cut. English horticula damp shot bag, budding knife, hand turists and some Americans take the pruning shears, a ball of twine, a roll of wood out of the shield. This is not at waxed cloth, a small whetstone, a stiff all necessary. brush, a pruning-saw, pencil and record A cross-cut is made through the bark book. I also usually have a small hamof the stock and a perpendicular one, mer and tin box of slim, wire nails, of from the middle of that, running up or assorted sizes, from half-inch to inch, to down as desired, the corners of the bark use in inarching whenever I see need of raised and the shield slipped under its it. A person can bud with only a knife full length. If the scion is angular or and ball of twine, but I have done a good flat, the shield is cut with the bud at one deal of hard, steady work in badly side and it is slipped under the bark at cramped positions, and I have learned one side of the perpendicular cut only. to make it as easy and convenient as posThere are many odd notions as to slipsible. ping buds up or down from the crossIt is important that the knife should cut, taking out the wood, burning the be sharp. If flat on the upper side and hud upside down to make low-topped

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of)FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY trees, etc., but equal success can be atOne of the members of this Society sugtained by any one of them, if one is gested that the ball of twine be soaked in trained so that it is the handiest to use. wax. This I did and have found it to The best buds are in the upper half work well through the past two seasons. of the stick, but these are often discarded In ten days to three weeks, according because of being flat. If properly cut, to the condition of the trees, the buds they can be successfully used even to the will have "taken" and the wraps can be terminal buds. removed. If a non-elastic wrap like For wraps, bast, raffia, woolen yarn twine is used, this should not be negand many other things are used, but lected too long or strangulation will ennothing is better for rapid work than sue. The top should now be cut partly cheap bleached cotton cloth torn into off, cutting from the side the bud is on strips four inches wide and some yards and a little above it, and bent down. long and wrapped about a straight stick The new bud now being the highest will a half-inch square and seven inches long, be one of the first to push. All others until a diameter of one and three-quarabout it should be kept rubbed off. This ters to two inches is reached. Prepare kind of shield budding can be done at several of these, then put them into hot any time when the bark of the stock slips grafting wax such as heretofore deeasily. In working the orange, it is scribed, and let them soak until bubbles best done between March I and July I, cease to form: they will then be satuor left until fall for dormant budding. rated. Don't get the wax so hot as to If done in July or August there is great burn the cloth. When budding unwrap danger of causing a flow of sap that will six to twelve inches, according to size of drown out the bud and make a running stock to be worked, and tear it off, then sore for a time. Commencing in late strip it lengthwise as you need it, a wide September buds and side-grafts can be strip for large wood, a narrow one for inserted to be left until spring before slimrn stocks. forcing out. This is a most excellent Start wrapping at the bottom, drawing way of working citrus stock, as the dorfairly tight. just below and just above mant buds can be safely covered in with the bud make a half turn in the wrap, banking until time to force them to that it may bind more closely, give growth in February or March. A part the end a final rub with the thumb to of the banking can be removed for this make it tight and stick closely. Some purpose, but so left that it can be quickly wrap directly over the bud, thinking to used to cover the buds if cold threatens. keep out rain. I have not found this In preparing scions for cleft-grafting, necessary. usually one good bud is cut away. This can be utilized in what is called "winter WRAPPING AND UNWRAPPING. budding." The shield is cut as for a summer bud, a smooth downward cut is In dry weather cotton twine makes made in a small stock in a way to leave fair wrapping material, but takes a little a tongue of thin wood and bark, a little more time to fasten the end unless it is longer than the shield carrying the bud, drawn into a downward cut in the bark. the thickest part of the tongue being at

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F'LOIDA TE 11O IRT'WULTURAL SOC[E'Y 97 the bottom. This tongue is cut off at \when wrapped only. They will usually a point that will come just below the bud heal in without wrapping, but it is often when the shield is slipped down under it. best to wrap them and stick an orange The shield should have as much of its thorn under the wrapping at each side cambium layer in its upper two-thirds, of the sprout. With a larger sprout the in contact with that of the stock, as postop can be bevelled from both sides, a sible. Wrap the bud well and leave so cut made into the wood of the stock and until well healed in. this end fitted to it so that a lip comes lown over and matches the outer bend, INARCH [IN;. then nail in place and wrap. Inarching is the process of grafting DISCUSSION. by approach. It is sometimes (lone to bridge a girdled place on a tree trunk Mr. Porcher-As to wax Mr Hart and bring about a new connection begave me a recipe which is of the highest tween the cambium of the top and root. 1 alue. It makes the finest wax I ever Since the cold of February, 1895, it has used; so pliable that it can be applied been practiced largely by orange w'itli a brush. The wax that is ordigrowers in usingthe several sprouts narily used is composed of three pounds that put up from the roots of of rosin, two pounds of beeswax and one frozen trees to brace an(l furnish of tallow. Then take one pound of this. an increased sal supply to the buds by heat it hot, take it away from the fire marching the former into the latter. !nd add three gills of alcohol; this makes Much is undoubtedNy gained by this, a most perfect wax: so that the same provided the work is (lone low enough vax that you use for other purposes can to allow of covering in the callusses with 5e tused for the finest work vith the addibanking of earth in the winter. Where tion of three gills of alcohol to the pound this was not (lone, it has often proved a -a wax as smooth and fine as varnish. source of weakness through the bark Major Fairbanks-I would ask Mr. being loosened by cold at the junction. Hart whether he has found the spring or There are several ways in use in infall g-raftingthe most successful in the arching, the simpler ones being to make long run? a cut in the bark of the bud, or surface Mr. Hart-I will say that I have never that is to receive the sprout, as if to refound spring budding unsuccessful until ceive a shield bud, having the perpendicthis year, but it has this year been unular cut above the horizontal one. Now successful in a great many cases. I cut off the sprout on a slant at a height don't think I see any difference as to the that allows of its being slipped under the success of the two. Skilful budders will bark by entering at the cross-cut. succeed in the spring and the fall too. When adjusted so that all the cut surface But I like dormant buds in the fall, and comes in contact with the peeled part I think you gain by it, as you &o it at a of the trunk, nail it in place with a slim time in the year when you are more at wire nail. This prevents its working leisure. In the spring you are busy loose on windy days, as it is apt to do packing oranges, working the groves,

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98 FLORIDA SPATE 1iORTICCILTURAL SOCIETY etc. The dormant buds are started with ber and in the spring we would find one the first growth in spring, and time is hundred of them from six inches to gained in getting ahead of grasshoppers sometimes a foot in length. and black ants. Major Fairbanks-Is there not a little danger of late cold taking the dorSHOVE UP OR SHOVE DOWN. mant buds, starting a little early in the fall? Mr. Painter-Mr. Hart made the reMr. Hart-The bud is banked, of mark in his article that it does not make course, and the banking does not need any difference whether the bud is shoved to go much above the bud. I expose it up or shoved down. I would like to to the sunlight and lop the top as soon know whether this is really the expeas growth starts in the tree, and it will rience of budders. We all know that push. If there is danger of cold, all you the sap goes up the wood and returns have to do is to press the dirt together, within the bark, and the first thing after where it has been parted for the bud, the wound is made this sap heals the and it will be protected even if it has wound. If the bud is shoved down, the grown. shoving prevents this, while if it is Ouestion--Do you cut the stock in the shoved up it heals the new wound. I iall or leave it until spring? am fully aware that the buds will take Mr. Hart-Until spring. You don't if shoved down and sometimes a bud want to lop the top until growth starts will take put in almost any way. Somein the tree. In other words, by leaving times with the most careful budding they the top on the tree until danger of cold refuse to take, but it seems to me if is over you would get rid of that risk shoved up they will stand a better chance that you incur by forcing the bud out, than if shoved down. but whenever growth starts in the tree Mr. Griffing-In my experience in I want the bud to grow. One of my budding the orange tree we always shove points in budding in the fall is to have the bud up, so as to shut the water out them push as soon as the other buds of from the bud, but in pears, peaches, that tree do in the spring. If you don't plumrns we always shove the bud down. top it the growth goes to the top of the We see no difference in the buds shoved tree and I find in my practice that it is up or down, but in the orange we see a a gain to force the bud at once. A nurmarked difference, the bud shoved up seryman, having thousands of buds in, taking better. The oranges we wrap could not safely do this. with a wax cloth, and sometimes that Mr. Taber-From a nurseryman's don't keep the rain out. Others we do standpoint you don't want to force a not wrap with anything except twine. growth from anything in the citrus line Mr. Reasoner-In budding we have _n the spring. I would say that in dorthe buds all shoved up, and we never use mant budding the bud should be inanything to wrap with. serted as late as possible and prevented Mr. Carter-I shove buds upward irom starting out. I have inserted dorjust because I learned that way. I use mant buds in the latter part of Septemwax cloth and wrap it so that when I

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FLORIDA NTATEIRORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 99 finish up 1 have the two ends together, Mr. Reasoner-As far as buds on one and just twist them. side or the other is concerned, in either Mr. Pierson-My experience has been the fall or the spring when most budding to shove the bud down, possibly because is done, there is very little difference as I learned that way, and they seem to to the heat. The sun rises so far in the take very readily with me. I vise alnorth and sets so far in the north in the together raffia to tie with and when late spring, that the north side is as starting out I used waxed cloth, but I warm as the others. found that the buds would scald. Mr. Taber-I do believe there is a Mr. McCarty-There are two points little something in that. Late in the not touched on. One is in reference to summer putting the bud on the norththe way you hold your knife in making east side of the tree: it will keep better your cross-cut. The man whom I put during a hot time than anywhere else on in to bud took the knife and cut right the tree. The sun strikes them, but it square across. I have seen no differis the morning sun. Then the sun goes ence in shoving up or down, but shoving round to the south and does not strike up is probably the best way. Another them. point which has not been covered, which Mr. Carter-You say you do not use is important with me, is whether you bud water sprouts tor budding. What is on the south side or north side oi the yevr objection to them, please? tree, with reference to the sun striking Mr. Hart-My objection to water it. We usually do it on the north side so sprouts is that if you practice using them as to have it shady. We believe we have vou will get wood that is immature, for better results on the north side. ] just (ne thing, but I have always been tinder merely ask for information on that point. the impression that it makes a tall, thin Mr. Phelps-On the north or south tree. Right after the freeze I had some side, either one, if there is an excessive buds sent me that were apparently from sap or rainy season, the buds will ferwater sprouts, and those trees shot right ment. They will not ferment as quicklyy u-p. I choose a thornless bud. on the north side as on the south. With Mr. Reasoner-It is, of course. necesme it has been a very good way, 1i 1 am sarv that buds should be cut from the utsing wax cloth, not to bring the two best part of the tree. Water sprouts edges together, so as to allow air. They are always thorny, and I think it would will not heat as quickly. This is another be best to save the budwood from the reason why I have budded on the northbest wood on the tree. The best is none east side. too good.

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Economic Entomology. REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE, BY PROF. H. A. GOSSARD, CHAIRMAN. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: could not live through more than four This year's report from your Commitor five summers of undisturbed attack tee on Entomology must be in some reand that the crop would practically fail spects one of encouragement, and in after the first two years. others of not such cheerful character. About the first of June three colonies of Australian lady-bugs were received COTTONY CUSHION SCALE. at Clearwater from Mr. Alexander Craw, of the California State Board of HortiThe citrus growers will be glad to culture, one being sent to Mr. John know that cottony cushion scale need Thomson at the request of the Entomolno longer be considered a serious ecoogist, the other two going to Mr. H. C. nomic factor in orange growing, even Markley by request of his brother rewhere it is now established. We have siding in California. Mr. Thomson was kept the insect and its enemies under advised to have an infested tree tented observation for more than two years bewith cheese cloth for the reception of the fore making such a positive announceinsects upon their arrival, as previous ment, and make it now because we are experience in putting bugs upon open sure the statement will stand. Those trees had failed to give satisfactory reof you who are upon the Experiment suIts. Mr. Markley followed the same Station mailing list will receive full deplan, using canvas instead of cheese tails of observations and conclusions in cloth. One of his colonies was liberbulletin form in a few days. Last sumated upon a tree standing in his yard in mere's work and observations with the Clearwater, and the other, by advice of insect may be summarized as follows: Mr. Thomson, was sent to the grove of As predicted in the last report on EnMr. Wm. McMullen, about seven miles tomology, made to this body, the scale from town. Instructions were given to became very numerous and threatening remove the tents in about ten days after in June and July, at which time it was the insects were received, so they might attacked by fungous disease, as it had scatter to other trees, and also that the been the preceding summer, and by the conditions for fungus attack upon the middle of July from fifty to seventy-five scales might be made as unfavorable as per cent. of the scales had succumbed. possible. An examination made about It was evident, however, that a grove one month after the lady-bugs were

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FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL 50CJETY 101 loosed showed that they were scattered one-half cf what it would normally be, over perhaps twenty different trees ad\vc easily have an average annual loss jacent to the one upon which they were of $250,000 for this county alone. Perliberated; and while they were not so haps almost anyone personally acwidely scattered at Mr. Markley's place, quainted with the conditions in the counthey were much more readily found in ty referred to will agree that we are numbers. During July and August colowell within the bounds of fact in making nies were started in various places by is estimate. We believe that our State Mr. J. 1. Brown, who had been placed is losing a half million dollars every year in immediate charge of the insects, and irom the ravagres of this insect and that the scales were practically cleaned up by with the present rate of extension of the lady-bugs and disease together by citrus growing an(d of fly dissemination the first of October. A few scales were our loss will reach a million dollars per present this spring in March and April, year before a half-dozen years have but were accompanied by the lady-bugs. passed. Were it not for the enemies of We feel satisfied that this insect will not Ihe fly, it would be impossible to produce again command very great attention, or even half-crops, and we doubt if the funexcite any special fear. gus will thrive in the drver and interior prts of the State. EXPERIMENTAL wORK wiTH WHlTF FLY. Our present recommendation is the one first given by Prof. H. J. Webber, The Experiment Station regards the to spray with rosin wash two or three white fly problem as the largest single times per year. Examinations made insect question in the State at present, within twenty-four hours after the thorand indeed one of the largest in the ough application of such a spray have country. We have, therefore, decided shown about seventy-five per cent. of the to either solve the question or prove that insects killed, and since it is reasonable further advance cannot be made with orto suppose that some died later it is seen dinary means of insect warfare, before that two good sprayings, properly didevoting a great deal of attention to rected, in winter, will give the trees a other questions. good clean start for the summer. AdPerhaps seventy-five per cent. of the ditional applications may be made in groves in Manatee county are infested. spring and summer, but not while the Infested orchards usually give a good trees are in full bloom or the fruit is crop one year. with a very short cIop Ihe small, unless the bloom is exceptionally following year, the flavor, oiuality and heavy, when a spray given at about the shipping powers of both crops being close of the blooming period may be an much reduced. Supposing 250,000 advantage rather than the contrary. boxes of oranges to be a representative Experiences in this regard have been vacrop for this county, worth $3 per box, liable. and that the loss in yield and quality, FUMIGATION. with consequent lowering of reputation and price of all Florida oranges, whether Our chief experimental work has been having suffered from white fly or not, is to determine the value of hydrocyanic

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102 FLORIDA STATl4 UORTTOULTURAL SOCIETY acid gas under tents against the insects The fumigating was done at night, in and the conditions under which it may cloudy weather, in bright sunshine, and be applied. Since Prof. C. W. Woodat varying periods of the day. The beworth, of the California Experiment havior of the gas seems to be somewhat Station, has made a study of fumigation capricious, but no great permanent inquestions with special reference to citrus jury was done under any circumstances. trees, and had a year's leave of absence Sometimes all the foliage would drop from California to study in the East, we from the trees, sometimes part of it, and succeeded in securing his services for a sometimes almost none of it. Fumigatmonth to help introduce the process into ing done with the sun at high merdFlorida. iati seemed most dangerous to foliage We experimented with various patand crop, but results were sometimes terns of tents, hoop tents, sheet tents contradictory. All trees are reported and box tents, for small and medium to !e good condition at the present trees, and bell tents for very large trees. time, but some with extra full crop and We developed a new form of derrick for some with light crops, some with markhandling the bell tents that has some ed difference in crop in different quarters of the same tree. The general good points, and may prove to e subearings of the experiments seemperior to the California patterns. ed to indicate that the dropping of Besides carrying on investigations rethe foliage from trees in Florida did not lating to the life history and physiology injure them as in California; that fumiof the white fly, our chief aim was to degation with the winter brood of insects termine the susceptibility of the insect can begin in the winter and continue tinto poisoning with hydrocyanic acid gas, til the middle of February; that it can and the effect of the gas upon trees fube carried on safely and effectively from migated under different conditions. 4 o'clock p. m. until 9 o'clock a. m. the Without going into details, we found following morning, or throughout the that the fly yielded very readily to the (lay, if cloudy and not windy or wet. The gas, much more readily than the comvariation in crop on different sides of the mon scales, and that they were practisame tree is possibly explained by supcally exterminated with lighter charges posing the wind to cause variation in the than are used in common California density of gas in different parts of the practice. In looking over thousands of tent. leaves upon many different trees that It is not wise for one to undertake fihad been fumigated two or three weeks migating work on a large scale without previously, we were able to find but a the assistance of some one who has had single insect living. Many of these sinpractical work in the field. It will be gle leaves had hundreds of living insects sometime before such work can be genon them when they were fumigated. We erally practiced in Florida, but we exfeel sure that an infested grove, if thorpect to see thousands of tents in use inoughly fumigated once, would need no side of three of four years. In short we further attention for two or three years expect to see a large part of our great unless insects came in from the outside. annual loss eventually saved.

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PLORIDA STATE HORTICWULTURAL SOCIM7TY 103 PEACH AND PEAR GROWING MENACED. Same precautions that are observed in using kerosene should be observed with We fear the peach and pear growers petroleum, at least until wider knowlover large districts of the State are facing edge enables us to say whether any of conditions hardly less serious than the them may be modified or omitted. citrus growers in white fly districts. The The distribution of the scale has been last Annual Report of the Experiment chiefly due to careless nursery shipStation states that San Jose scale has ments, a good deal or all of which could been received from thirteen different have been avoided by careful fumigation counties of the State. some of the counof the stock before shipment. I have ties having more than one case of infespretty good evidence that there are nurtation. More new cases have come to series in Florida, upon whose grounds our notice during the past six months the Entomologist has never been, that than in any equal period of the Station's now are or recently were infested with previous history, and it seems there can the scale and were distributing it. The be but little doubt that the entire peachproprietors may have discovered their growing section is honey-combed with conditions themselves, for anything we it. Any notion that San Jose scale, left know to the contrary, and may be using to itself, will not kill about nine out of proper measures to insure the safety of every ten orchards that it finds in Flortheir stock. On the other hand, they ida may as well be abandoned. Those may be selling scaly trees by the carload of you with whom it has taken up quarwithout hindrance from anybody. ters, and who contemplate letting it take Contrary to general belief, San Jose its own course, should make your bank scale will attack the trifoliate orange, and accounts last as long as you can, because this variety of citrus stock should always you are not apt to have others soon be fumigated before shipment from any again, unless you have other sources of suspicious quarter. revenue than your own peach crops. Parasites are beginning to attack the Those who feel disposed to fiot it scale in all quarters of the country. procure a good kero-water sprayer, Some of our lady-bugs seem to be acand use a twenty-five per cent. quiring a taste for it, and we believe that mixture of crude petroleum, specific in ten years from now it may not be gravity of 43 degrees to 45 degrees for worse than many of our other scales, but winter treatment, and a fifteen per cent. until that time it is our belief that it must mixture of kerosene and water, or some be fought with energy. good whale oil soap compound, such as that of Leggett Bros., for summer treatOTHER PEACH AND PEAR INSECTS. m ent. The value of crude petroleum and the The West Indian or Jamaica scale, limits of its usefulness as an insecticide Diaspis amygdali, is said to be decreasare now fairly well known, and its supering some in West Florida, owing to an iority over kerosene as a scale destroyer, onslaught of lady-bugs. This insect is during the winter months, upon decidalso established at Nesbitt, Duval Counnous trees, is generally conceded. The ty. We believe it to be almost, if not

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104 FLORIDA 8TATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY quite, as serious as San Jose scale. Peinsects are noticed o-i ground that has troleum, kerosene or whale oil soaps are been so treated, an application of tobacthe proper remedies. co extract or tobacco dust sifted into Two severe cases of infestation with their hiding places is recommended. gopher scale, Aspidiotus juglans-regiae, More than one dusting may be neceshave come to our notice during the past sary. year; one at Lake City, the other at Ve found the cabbage Plutella, PluLady Lake. The latter example was retella maculicollis, quite destructive in markably well parasitized. This is the South Florida in February and March. largest of the Aspidiotus scales and at The larva is a small greenish caterpillar times ng/eds, the same treatment that easily controlled by arsenical preparahas been suggested for the species pretions. ceding, though it is very subject to parSeveral different species of pecan catasitic attack. erpillars have been received. Most of them were case-bearers belonging in the MISCELLANEOUS INSECTs. family Tineidae; others were leaf-rollers belonging in the family Tortricidae. The pineapple scale, Diaspis bromeOthers probably the large larvae of the liae, is of frequent occurrence an( Catocolas or under-winged moths. seems to be widely distributed. It is at For all of these leaf-eating insects times a scourge. We usually recomthere is no more satisfactory application mend tobacco extract or Rose Leaf inthan arsenate of lead. This insecticide secticide for it, as these substances do can now be procure(! upon the market not injure the plants like kerosene emulalready prepared or it may be made as sons or resin wash by destroying the folows: crown. One correspondent reported Take eleven ounces of acetate of lead that he had poor success with resin and four ounces of arsenate of soda, or ill wash, but almost exterminated the scale this relative proportion for a greater or by using strong kerosene emulsion. smaller quantity, and dissolve together Care must be used with both the latter in one gallon of water to be kept as a insecticides that they do not reach the stock preparation, or in 100 gallons for crown of the plants. immediate use. This spray is more The mealy bug is the commonest adhesive than Paris green, costs rather pineappple pest, and like the scale, is less, and will not scale or burn the tenbest reached by tobacco preparations. derest foliage as most of the arsenicals We feel sure that tobacco dust used freedo. it can be used at ten times the ly as a fertilizer upon pineapple plantastrength given upon the tenderest folitions will act as a preventive against age, such as that of the peach, without mealy bug infestation. Its value when injury. In a few years it will probably so applied against the woolly aphis or supplant all other arsenical sprays at root louse of the appple, Schizoneura, present use(l. has been experimentally proven and the The strawberry fiea beetle, Haltica igmealy bug will hardly prove more diffinita, was reported from Daytona recult to reach in the same way. When the cently. Arsenate of lead or Paris green

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FLORIDA TAT1E IiIRTiLt Li / 1NOCIE 1T 105 will kill the beetles, but should be apreading of amount oi (lose until we could plied before or after the fruiting season. make a safe estimate from observation. It might be risky to use -it without an The exact (lose is not a matter of such interval of at least three weeks between great importance as you might infer. the application and picking time, with That is, an orange tree will stand a good one or two good rains during the interdeal more, for instance, than a June val. peach would do. So that a little over Mr. Phelps.-I would like to ask how or a little under the dose would not many men it would take to handle that make so much difference as vou might bell tent? think. Prof. Gossard.-About four. It can Second, in relation to the use of the be handled by a smaller number, but I tent in high wind, it would be a little don't think anything is saved by it. I hard to use those large bell tents in a think about four men, including the fnvery high wind: and in using the singlemrigator: three men who have nothing sheet tent, if you were to go on the but the mechanical part to look after. windward side of the tree it would probDr. Inman.-How long would it take ably help you instead of hindering. I after the tent was up to generate the think the great objection to wind is gas and fumigate the tree ? likely to be from the effect upon the Prof. Gossard.-About forty minutes. density of the gas. That is, the wind is We ranged our time from thirty minutes apt to drive the gas from one side of the up to considerably more than that. If tent over to the other, and make it more you use a light (lose increase the time. dense on that side. With a large (lose shorten the time. In relation to the egg of the white fly, About four tents would keep a crew of I cannot tell you positively from experifour men just about bllsy. It reqluires meant what will happen to it. During about ten minutes to shift each tent. tie winter season when we did otr exMr. Porcher.-I would like to ask perinenting, you cannot find all egg unProf. Gossard a few questions. First, If hatched. Every wvhite fly egg is hatchit is not necessary to have an expert ed at this season, aid no other eggs are capable of computing the area that each laid until spring, so there are only larvae tent has each time it is placed on the and pupae. I will say there is hardly tree? Is it not impossible to use the one chance in a thousand that the eggs tent in ])right sunlight ? Is it not also would escape. There are very few true that in high winds few applications insect eggs that are not killed by the gas. are found to be effective? And is it not The red spider's eggs, I believe, are untrue that the scales have not been killed affected by it. while under a protecting coat while in Mr. Porcher-The reports from Calithe form of an egg? fornia have shown that they have not Prof. Gossard-Measuring will cause killed the eggs of the red scale. a little diiffculty at first. We marked off Prof. Gossard-That is, you mean ounce (loses oil a tape line and used it to they have not been exterminated absomeasure both over the tent and around. lately ? Thus having a mathematically correct Mr. Porcher-NO, sir; that they were

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lot FLORIDA ST ATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY not killed, only a very small per cent. of them recovered and crawled away, Prof. Gossard-When were those rebut the others were dead and staid dead. ports issued? Question-Does it hurt the fungi? Mr. Porcher-I got them from Prof. Prof. Gossard-Not the gas; it does Hilgard; their experience was that the not destroy plant life at all. eggs were not killed. Mr. Hart-How about mites? Prof. Gossard-The object of the Prof. Gossard-I cannot say positively Horticultural Commissioners of Califoras to that. The trees that we were worknia as set forth at present is to use ing on had no mites that I noticed. f stronger doses of gas than formerly. noticed that some of the case-bearing They have increased their dose to onetineids came through all right. They half more than they used a few years seem to have been sheltered enough by ago, and the purpose for which they do their cases to come through without it is, they state, to kill the eggs of red harm. The little case over them seems scale, and other insects of like character; to be gas-tight enough to shelter them so I think they must have pretty good perfectly. evidence that they are killed. Of course, Mr. Waite-Were not the trees in with an open tent we cannot expect the bloom in those Manatee county experithorough work that we would get in a ments? perfectly air-tight fumigatorium, but I Prof. Gossard-The trees were comthink we can kill most of the eggs. mencing to blossom; a few of the blosMr. Gillett-I would like to ask if, in some were fully open, and a great many the treatment with the gas, it killed the of the buds were open far enough so you red, brown and purple scales? could see the white of the bloom. Prof. Gossard-I did not make any inProf. Gossard here read a letter from vestigation with special reference to Mr. C. P. Fuller, indicating that while these. results were variable, the fumigated Mr. Gillett-Did it kill the lady-bug? trees were carrying good crops on the Prof. Gossard-Yes, sir, about ninety average. per cent. of them. There are published Mr. Porcher-Did I understand you statements saying that they are not to say the Australian lady-bug, Novius readily killed, so I made special investicardinalis, has been introduced into this gations with them, collecting two or State ? three hundred ladybugs that had Prof. Gossard-Yes, sir, at Clearwater dropped, and maybe about ten per cent. Harbor.

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The Study of Forestry. BY GEO. R. FAIRBANKS, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: ities of beauty and durability, superior The subject of forestry has attracted in every respect to any other known timmuch attention in the last few years. It ber for all the uses to which timber is aphas been the practice, and regarded as a plied. We have vied with each other most practical course to pursue, from in destroying these monarchs of the the settlement of this continent, to clear woods, to be manufactured for others' away its forest growth in every direcprofit, at a price to us insignificant and tion. Log heaps and forest fires have profitless. We now begin to realize our been looked upon as the necessary adfolly and to look with anxiety to the juncts of progressive civilization. future, when the remainder of our once We have at last reached a point where splendid forests shall have disappeared. we have been forced to look forward to Few of us realize how rapidly our pine the eventual results of this destructive forests are being destroyed. There was policy. Fields, first denuded of all timshipped during the year 1900 over one ber, have been cultivated to the point hundred million feet each from the ports where nature has revenged itself by barof Fernandina and Jacksonville. To renness, and, scarred and seamed, they make two hundred million feet of sawed have presented a waste of unsightly baldlumber, counting four trees to a thousness. The fields taken in have underand feet, would require 4,000 trees to gone the same process of being reduced each million feet, and 400.000 trees to to worthlessness, and profitable culture furnish the lumber shipped from these of staple crops has only been attained by two ports alone; and, taking an average a large expenditure for artificial fertilizof four trees to the acre, it would take ers, needing annually to be renewed. the mill-logs off from 100,000 acres of The water supply has diminished, land. If we add to this the millions of streams and wells have gone dry for long crossties, we shall to some degree realize periods, to be succeeded by destructive how fast the destruction of our forest torrents, sweeping down the barren hillgrowth is proceeding. But we have sides, engorging the streams and carrybeen counting the lumber destruction ing death and destruction along their alone. After going over the pine lands borders. of North Carolina, South Carolina and The Southern States were originally Georgia in part, the turpentine or naval clothed with magnificent forests of pine, stores operators have come into Florida of a species combining all the best qualand spread like locusts over all the lands

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108 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY they could reach. After three years' until it reaches a water course or is active operations in one location, they checked by abundant rains. seek new fields of labor, leaving behind The United States Government has them scarred trees, which in a few years recently given special attention to forwill perish by storm and fire. And when cstry and made it one of the special the mill men and the naval stores men branches of the Agricultural Departshall have gotten through, we fear Florment. Upon application, a special ida will in smut and ashes regret the inagent will be sent to inspect large bodies providence which has sacrificed its future of timbered lands, and will through subwealth for a present pittance. agents go over a tract of timbered land, HOW SHALL WE RESCUE THE FUTURE? designating such trees as should be removed and the treatment best calculated The natural inquiry is then what can to improve or restore the remainder. best be done either to preserve or renew The American Forestry Association our forest growth. It goes without saywas organized in Washington in 1882. ing that these lands which have been The United States Secretary of Agriculstripped of their timber will not, except ture is now the resident. It issues a in selected spots, be occupied by cultimonthly magazine called The Forester vators of the soil for a long period to at one dollar per year. The States of come. A portion, no doubt, will be enMichigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and closed for grazing lands, where the conothers have Forestry Commissions esditions are suitable for such a purpose, tablished by law. but the great body, comprising millions of acres, will lie out, to be overrun anDUTIES OF A FORESTRY COMMISSION. nually by fire, and what little chance they The Michigan law requires the Cominight have for improvement will thus mission to "institute inquiry into the exbe prevented. tent, kind, value and conditions of the This destruction of forest growth is timber lands of the State, the amount of by no means peculiar to the Southern acres and value of timber that is cut and States. Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesoremoved each year, and the purposes for ta and other Northwestern States forwhich it is used ; the extent to which the merly covered with pine forests have timber lands are being destroyed by been made barren by the immense defires, used by wasteful cutting for construction of timber for export, and a sumption, lumbering, or for the purpose consequent exposure to forest fires, of clearing the land for tillage. It shall which it is claimed have destroyed ten also inquire as to the effect of the dimtimes as much timber as the mills have inution of timber and wooded surface in cut. So far as Florida is concerned, this lessening the rainfall and producing source of destruction is only to be feared droughts, and the effects upon the in tracts which have been boxed for turponds, rivers, lakes, and the water powpentine; the open pine forests here do ers and harbors, and affecting the clinot suffer like the close-grown pine formate and disturbing and deteriorating ests of the Northwest, where a fire once natural conditions, etc." The Commisstarted will burn over thousands of acres, sion was directed to prepare and report

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FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOUETY 109 to the Legislature such legislation as forests from fire and reckless destructhey deemed necessary. tijui. To encourage the preservation of A commission of this nature, which youig trees and to promote the renovawould involve but moderate expense, tion of districts from which the timber would be very advantageous to Florida. has been denuded, to promote the propOne of the most important things in agation of valuable species, to ascertain this matter is to arouse public attention and take measures to guard against the to the necessity of considering the value crFects of the removal of timber upon of our forest growth, and the great imwater supply and sudden overflows. portance of taking measures to prevent These and many other subjects may be improvident waste and destruction. pronitably considered by a forestry comFortunately, in Florida the pine tree remission. plants and reproduces itself if protected while young from fire. Legislation is DIsCUSSIoN. needed to prevent the general tiring of the woods, destroying voting growth as Mr. Waite-It would seem to me that well as valuable timber and oftentimes there should be some law in regard to fences and houses and groves. preservation of shade trees along our Yale College has a school of forestry roads. I noticed last year in Massachudevoted to the instruction of students setts that the commissioners had caused in this branch of knowledge. The State zinc tags to be nailed to certain trees and of New York has a similar school at Corthere was a heavy fine attached to the nell. A school of forestry is in operation cutting of any of those trees and it at Asheville, N. C., and there are probaseems to me that possibly we should bly some others; such a department preserve the palmettoes in our section should be established in the Florida Agof the country which are cut for the catricultural College. tle. In the city of Jacksonville and the The Agricultural and Horticultural city of St. Augustine they are transplantSocieties have given special attention to ed at great expense to beautify the this subject and have promoted all the streets. There they grow naturally and existing legislation on this subject. To if preserved would be a beautifying feathis Society naturally belongs an interest ture to the country. so important to the future welfare and Mr. Hart-It strikes me that it would prosperity of the State No part of the be a splendid move if we could in any United States possesses such varied and way preserve the natural growth. I live useful timber. We exhibit with pride, about two miles and a half south of at the great industrial expositions, specNew Smyrna. A few years ago we got imens of our forest products, and they a road through there along the front excite the admiration of the public for next to the river and shelled it. On one their variety and beauty, but we ought side were natural trees. There was a to do much more than this. We need little strip between the road and New a forestry commission to investigate the Smyrna. Two years ago we had a nice whole subject and recommend suitable lot of beautiful cedars a part of the way legislation for the preservation of our that were perhaps a foot through the

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110 FLORIDA TATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY trunk. One day when I went down, I But it is evident to me in mixing with noticed that there were several camps of the general masses of the people of Florfishermen who had come from the inteida, that they are indifferent to the beaurior to get fish. They camped along ties of their State, of their home; and there and cut down those cedars for this condition of things has become so camp fires, because they were easier cut implanted in their minds that it is imthan oak. I soon put a stop to it, but possible to lift them out of the mire. we had lost perhaps twenty or thirty of I sometimes go among them and I say, our fine cedars. I go along there occa"Why do you not plant a tree here to sionally and I find palmettoes with the shade the door?" "We have no care for tops cut off, trees six or eight feet high. it," is the reply. They cut off the cabbage to eat. I value Now, I am not saying anything the trees along that road very much. If against the resolution offered previously we can do something to prevent this vannor the one to-day; they are all right, dalism it would certainly be a move in but we stand, probably, a little too high. the right direction. Anything that That is, we are in the second story; we could accomplish it I would give all my are above the people, in other words, strength toward putting through. And but our duty to the people is this, that this matter that Mr. Waite speaks of in we should go among them and create a Massachusetts seems to me to be an exsentiment that will go into their hearts cellent way to preserve them. that will work and work until the State Dr. Kerr-A few years ago there were is made to feel, until the citizens of the resolutions introduced for something of State of Florida are made to feel that that kind by myself, and the Society took there is a necessity in this direction ; and hold of it. The attention of the LegislaI believe that this sentiment being inture was called to it, but nothing was culcated into the minds of the people ever (lone. Resolutions come up tois the only thing to be done, and we have (lay, What those resolutions I speak of not performed our duty when we have amounted to I cannot tell. What they spoken of it in our Society. may amount to to-day we cannot tell. Fertilizers, Spurious Ashes. A DISCUSSION. Prof. Stockbridge-I wish to present two or three facts which have impressed a few results of some trials which I have themselves upon me as particularly imbeen making of interest to horticulturportant to the fruit growers of Florida ists, but first I wish to call attention to in as much as I am satisfied that many

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FLORIDA / TATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY ill of them are to-day following a practice ers in the State of Florida. I can give which is extremely uneconomical and many instances of consumers during the from which they should turn as soon as past two years who have bought this possible. The first of these practices. material under the supposition that they in degree of importance, is that which I were getting the best of material. find in several parts of the State, more Down on the East Coast recently, in the particularly among pineapple growers, center of the pineapple business, I found of insisting upon the use of wood ashes. a large pineapple grower who stated There is no evidence to prove that potthat he had secure(] a good bargain in ash in the form of wood ashes possesses three carloads of Canada hard wood one particle of advantage over potash in ashes high in potash. They contained certain other forms, and if it could be ababout 40 per cent. of potash, he claimed. solutely demonstrated that potash in the As a matter of fact, no such thing as that form in which it exists in wood ashes, could exist. The best wood ashes conand that therefore wood ashes as raw tain only from nine to eleven per cent. material, did possess a value greater than of potash, and I succeeded in inducing that which could be secured from potash him to show me the original analysis. It in some other form, the very same macontained actually 38-100 of one per terial can be secured in more econouicent. of potash. The consumer had cal ways than in the use of wood ashes. paid about $14 per ton for material the The time has gone past when actual actual value of which was less than 50 commercial wood ashes exist to any cents a ton. I give warning against extent worthy of consideration, but by such practice, which is unquestionably far the greater part of the material for taking thousands and thousands of dolsale under the name of wood ashes never lars from the State. existed in trees. It is an entirely manComing back to the results of fertilizer ufactured material which had for its base experiments mentioned, I will give a few the ashes of the leacheries, the residue results of some rather extensive fertiof which was gathered up and used for a lizer trials on Irish potatoes, this having basis of the Canada wood ashes, but even become a very important shipping crop. that material has to-day almost entirely For three years we have been growing disappeared, and the so-called wood ashexperimental crops of potatoes on a es of to-day are entirely artificial. I know somewhat large scale, making a very they are manufactured, for I have seen large number of tests, and I have the avthem made, and they are entirely spuerage of three years both with fall and rious. The manufacturer takes advanspring crops. As a basis for this test I tage of the user who thinks that because take what is called a normal fertilizer genuine potash bites, that when lie takes composition, and the object of the test a sample of this material and puts his was to find out the maximum amount tongue to it, and it bites, lie believes of the three fertilizers constituents. that it is potash; he forgets that quick Phosphoric acid. nitrogen and potash. lime will bite just as well as potash. which could be used with profitable reThere is much of this material sol. It suilts, and to reduce, if possible, the is being dumped upon uiwary consumamount of either of these constituents,

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L12 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURE L SOCfETY and by so doing to ascertain if it were normal application, and by increasing possible to reduce the cost of the Irish one-half we obtained really a smaller potato fertilizer now on the market, crop, showing that the crop-producing without diminishing their crop producpower of that soil cannot be increased ing power, I used the following maby increasing the fertilizer. Neither terials: 5oo pounds of acid phosphate: one of the three constitutents could be 200 pounds of sulphate of potash; 5oo diminished to any considerable degree pounds cotton seed meal, for the "norin this mixture without very materially mal" mixtures mentioned. I used muldecreasing the crop. By dropping out tiples of that, namely, one and a half one-half of the cheapest ingredient the times, and twice that application to decrop fell off, and dropping one-half of the terrine exactly how large an application potash application the crop fell from was possible with economical results, 3576 to 2076, or fifteen hundred pounds and then from different plots I omitted exactly, by reducing the amount of potconsecutively one-half of each of these ash one-half. ingredients to reduce the cost of the ferThere was une other interesting point tilizer without interfering with the crop. considered in connection with this same The first important consideration is crop. Two check plots were planted, that this so-called application varies one of them without any fertilizer whatvery materially from the usual potato ever, the land being new land, and the fertilizers. It contains approximately result of this test showed the extreme four per cent. of phosphoric acid, three variability of the soil itself, and thereper cent. of nitrogen and eight per cent. fore, the uncertainty of results. One of of potash. The result of the application the check plots yielded 1218 pounds of of this mixture gave me the following potatoes, and another plot, only a few yields of crop: yards away and apparently of the same The normal application produced soil, produced only 455 pounds, or a difper acre 3576 pounds of market ference of seventy per cent. with no appotatoes. The one and a half normal apparent difference of soil, the result showplication produced 3390 pounds of maring an extreme difference for which ket potatoes. The double normal applithere is no explanation. The average cation produced 3240 pounds of potayield of potatoes on the different plots toes. The one-half normal phosphoric was approximately io8 bushels per acre, acid produced 2718 pounds. Reducing showing a fair yield. the nitrogen one-half gave 216o, and reIt seems to me that these points are ducing the potash one-half, 2076. The worthy of consideration, particularly in facts, therefore, that seem to be demonview of the fact that they differ in many strated are : First, that the normal applirespects from the actual practice to-day cation contains as laroe a quantity of of most of the large potato growers, parthe different fertilizers as can be profitticularly those in the Marion county and ably used, and that neither by increasing St. Johns county sections. But the soil or diminishing the application do we inon which the tests were made were of crease the crop. As a matter of fact, the the better class of mixed pine lands, and best yield was that obtained from the altliough the results could not apply to

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FLORIDA STAT11 HORTICULTURAL SOC[OTY [13 all places, it seems to me that they hold qtired by the deterioration of the land. out suggestions which, if followed, would Mr. White-We are working for reduce the expense of growing and ferearly potatoes. Now, the earliest crop tilizing this crop. that I know of is that shipped as green The crop would, in my opinion, have potatoes. I know of potatoes planted been better and the yield would have February 6th being dug on the 20th been heavier, had it not been for dry of April, and being dug because they weather, though it was not an abnorhad the blight so bad we did not dare ally dry season. leave them in the ground, and we made ,frty barrels per acre. We used tooo DISCUSSION. pounds cotton seed meal, iooo pounds acid phosphate, 250 pounds potash, Mr. White-The potato experiments three acres to the patch, and had forty were absolutely contrary in result to barrels to the acre. mine. We require a fertilizer heavier Dr. Kerr-I would like to ask the genand heavier every year, and I believe tileman if he heard the report upon orperhaps it might account for it that the anges that were shipped from this State soil conditions were such that you could In such a condition that they were unnot use as large amounts of fertilizer. saleable when they arrived in market? Prof. Stockbridge-The explanation I vould like to ask if there would be perhaps lies in the fact that vou are iiany danger in shipping potatoes, that creasing your total application witlholut they might be in the same condition? increasing the balanced condition of the Mr. White-When the market gets so ingredients. You (1) not state the total that it demands the green potatoes, we application that you found unprofitable. furnish them. What is your total application? Dr. Kerr-Would you ship a potato Mr. White-Our mixture starts with to me to eat that you would not eat 6oo pounds cotton seed meal, 6oo yourself ? pounds of acid phosphate, 250 pounds ,r. White-lf you would offer me potash. My application this year was eight or nine dollars for potatoes that about 700 pounds cotton seed meal, 8oo I would not eat myself, you could have pounds acid phosphate, 300 pounds sulmy whole crop. phate of potash. On my experimental Dr. Kerr-I don't know what I am plot my yield this year was not large at getting until I get your potatoes and I all, and in fact the yield was nowhere am stuck. very large, only about twenty-seven barMr. White-As to the applications of rels to the acre. this fertilizer-whether they were made Prof. Stockbridge-My tests were indirectly, whether the potatoes had an tentionally made upon new land that I opportunity to take tip all the fertilizer might be sure there were no varying -how about that? conditions preceding the planting of the Prof. Stockbridge-The application in crop. Therefore, under those circumeach case was made at two different stances, it would be profitable to use a times, the first in the furrows, the second total application such as would be rebroadcast. 8

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114 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Mr. Prevatt-Would you prefer your Mr. White-Do you put your fertiliform of fertilizers or the high-grade ferzer on in the raw state? tilizers? Prof. Stockbridge-I buy the raw maProf. Stockbridge-1 would say, perterials and mix them myself. sonally, I don't buy any so-called highMr. Gaitskill-I will say that Mr. grade fertilizer at all. I believe I can Painter mixes the fertilizer, but he mixes mix them for my own soil and crops betit to suit. ter than anyone else, but I would not Mr. Prevatt-I have a brother that mix this same formula for every farm. I used his fertilizer this year and I used believe that you or I can arrive at conWilson & Toomer's. He got stuck on clusions that will enable us to have a Mr. Painter and I got stuck on Wilson fertilizer made that can meet our own & Toomer. I never have tried Mr. conditions a great deal better than a Painter's fertilizer. Neither of us would man in New York who never heard of have anything to do with the other's feryou can reach your requirements by tilizer. (Laughter.) mixing up a high-priced, high-grade ferMr. Butler-In regard to ashes, I tilizer. think he is laboring under a slight misMr. Prevatt-Major Healy has been apprehension as to that. Very few pinemixing his fertilizer for the last five apple growers of any intelligence but years, and he has never made a crop. what would know better than to buy Last year with Wilson & Toomer's poashes to get potash. But I will say that tato fertilizer I gathered twenty-two of the pineapple growers, I know of very barrels where Major Healy with his forfew who use wood ashes, but once in mula, made as Prof. Stockbridge said, awhile I have seen a case when an apgrew but four. I want nothing to do plication of wood ashes did good. with mixing. I have seen it tried side Prof. Stockbridge-i said that if there by side. was any reason why the material in wood Dr. Kerr-Brother Prevatt should reashes was actually desirable, it could be member that our friend Major Healy is obtained in some other form, exactly the an agriculturist, an( not a horticultursame material in some cheaper form. ist. My statement that the pineapple growProf. Stockbridge -The fact that he ers were very largely deceived in the has not made a successful potato fertipurchase of wood ashes for this purpose lizer is perhaps easily explained. The referred perhaps to the open culture Major has conceived an antipathy to pineapple growers, and not those who potash, and he will not have any potash. grow them under sheds. Most of us find it exceedingly important.

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Fertilizing and Irrigation. BY E. D. PUTNEY, OF AVON PARK. The successful and hence profitable Sunshine we have nearly always with production of different fruits dernands us, soil we may select, and fertilizing such variable conditions, properties and elements we may save from refuse on proportions of soil, sunshine, air, fertiour estates and by purchase; moisture lizer and moisture as are best suited to we may secure by irrigation. the particular species of fruit-bearingO plant. 11OW TO OBTAIN FERTILITY. We are obliged to add to our title In Florida most soils suitable for "Soil, Sunshine and Air," because they fruits are lacking in fertilizing elements. are so inter-related with fertilizing How best to build tip such soils is the that one is of no effect without the otigreat economical question for horticulers. Indeed, it may be truly said that tourists. Nearly all fruit growers in soil, sunshine, air, manure and moisture Florida give the soil credit for more are all elements of fertility. power to produce a crop than it really The conditions necessary to the suchas. Hence many failures. We do not cessful growth of the pineapple differ believe that with the present low price materially from those necessary to the of good land that it will pay to try to successful growth of the citrus. The improve poor land by planting cowpeas, pineapple and strawberry will succeed velvet beans, etc., with the intention of on comparatively shallow soil with a twining them under. Land good maximum amount of fertilizer and enotigh to produce a crop of peas or moisture and a minimum amount of sunbeans to work into the soil will produce shine and air. The citrus must have a a crop of crab-grass, which is quite as liberal depth of soil together with a minigood for the purpose of soil renovation imum amount of fertilizer and moisture as peas or beans. If groves already and a maximum amount of sunshine and planted need a grass covering, it may be air. The peach, however, demands a secured by harrowing in about Soo maximum amount of soil, fertilizer, sunpounds of blood and bone to the acre, shine and air and a minimum amount of applied about June I on land that has moisture. The peach requires more air been cultivated at least twice within than any other fruit. three weeks previous. No seeding is Air is best secured to the roots of fruit necessary for crab-grass. plants by use of the plow, cultivator, Where the soil is good to start with harrow and rake. and crabgrass comes in promptly, a tree

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116 FLORIDA STAT' HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY may be planted and good results secured to be able to pick strawberries from Deby the use of so-called commercial ferticember 20 to July 1. lizers. These consist mainly of tankage, Where the soil is rich in humus the blood, bone, nitrate of soda, sulphate of exclusive use of a high-grade, strictly ammonia, muriate of potash, sulphate of chemical fertilizer analyzing four per potash, lime, boneblack and dried fish. cent ammonia, six per cent. phosphoric acid and fourteen per cent. sulphate of potash is advisable. Five hundred APPLICATION OF FERTILIZERS. pounds should be sown in the row and well mixed with soil three weeks before The so-called organic fertilizers, such the planting of the strawberries, and 500 as tankage, blood, bone and dried fish, pounds should be broadcasted between are no doubt valuable for plant growth, the rows about December I. but their exclusive use is detrimental to Very nearly the same kind, quantity the health of the tree. On very good and method of fertilizing will answer also soil, rich in humus, strictly chemical ferfor pineapples. The addition of 500 tilizers are much superior and give a pounds of high-grade tobacco dust higher quality of fruit. Organic fertibroadcasted over the beds (lusting the lizers on most soils may be used during leaves well is advisable twice a year. the first four years in moderate quantity, but never exclusively. Our own pracCITRUS FRUITS NEED PLENTY. tice has been to alternate fertilizers in the same manner as many farmers alterFor many years past growers of citrus nate their crops. have not fertilized enough to get maxiAt the first application on strawmum results. We are safe in saying berries we use at the rate of 6oo pounds that our groves of orange and pomelo to the acre of a special vegetable fertimay be made to produce a profitable lizer, mixing it in the row two weeks crop one and two years earlier than the before planting. The next application, general average for the past ten years. a month later, we use tankage at the For several years past our nurserymen rate of 400 pounds sowed in a shallow have recommended the use of one pound furrow made with a hand plow close to of fertilizer the first year. This may do the plant. A third application of 400 on very good soil, but three pounds in pounds of high-grade sulphate of potash three applications the first year is little is made as the plants begin to bloom, enough on our average citrus land. The sown broadcast very carefully so as not second year use six pounds, the third to injure the foliage or bloom. This is year twelve pounds, and you may look cultivated in with the harrow or rakes. for a profitable crop the fourth year. If it is desired to secure very late pickThe treatment recommended for ings, another application of a complete strawberries and pineapples is of little fruit fertilizer may be given during Febvalue unless timely rains give sufficient ruary or early March. It is only a matmoisture. Growers, knowing this, seter of fertility and sufficient moisture lect lands naturally moist, and if favored

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FLORIDA STATE HORT'1qULTURAL SOCIETY 117 with a few showers make a very good IRRIGATION. crop of fruit; but there are cases where a supply of strawberries or pineapples is Mr. Parmenter-I had expected quite desired for home use or a profitable local a talk upon irrigation, but as there demand, and there is no moist land seems to be nothing to be presented on available. In such cases some method the subject I will take this opportunity of irrigation is a necessity. to speak of a method of carrying artesian water about a garden, which I have found convenient. Thirty-foot lengths METHOD OF IRRIGATION, of three-quarter inch iron pipe are used, connected by ten-inch pieces of rubber A head of water must be secured by hose. Into the couplings at each end means of a windmill or a hydraulic ram of the pipe screw a brass tip which has and then distributed by means of pipes. a standard thread at one end to screw Instead of using a hose a sufficient numinto the coupling, and a hose thread at ber of lawn sprinklers may be permathe other to screw the hose to. Always nently attached, and the simple turning leave the piece of hose on the end of the of a valve will in a few minutes give the pipe toward the hydrant when shifting; plants a good drenching. We have then the coupling will always come right. tried various methods of irrigation and The system gives an iron hose with believe the method of piping and the limber joints. It is more economical use of sprinklers is by far the best. By and more convenient than hose. Have this same method you can have a sufifty feet of hose to attach to the end of prior vegetable garden on the highest, the line of pipe. Have paths through dryest sandhill. your vegetables, and keep the hose in We know of two very superior strawthe paths. The pipes may be carried berry and vegetable gardens grown in on supports over the beds, if necessary. this way. They are freer from frost If the force of water is good, revolvand insects than gardens in bayheads, ing sprinklers can be used. If it is deand are so arranged as to be convenient sired to sprinkle long beds, gem nozzles to the house. on two-foot standpipes, set about ten With citrus and peach trees it is diffeet apart on a length of pipe with short ferent. We have yet to learn of an iTpieces of pipe screwed in to tie on the rigating plant that has paid a profit on ground, and hold the standpipes perpenthe investment. dicular, are quite satisfactory. Three The late Dudley W. Adams claimed standpipes on a twenty-foot length make that it was more profitable to give the a convenient size to carry about. Two tree more area in which its roots could such sets coupled together will sprinkle find moisture than to go to the expense a strip sixty feet wide ahead of a gang of an irrigating plant. planting strawberries or lettuce, or the, There is no doubt that if we planted pipe and hose can be used to keep a barninety-six trees to the acre, as they do in rel full, from which water can be dipped California, we should need an irrigating in buckets or water pots when setting plant during our dry periods. plants.

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Tomato Growing in Dade County. BY REV. E. V. BLACKMAN, OF MIAMI. The conditions that surround the tie or no value, while the forest remaintrucker in North Florida, both in soil ed in its primeval state, except for a setand climate, are very different from tler here and there, who either desired those confronting men in the same octo get beyond the pale of civilization, or cupation in the tropical regions of the a more daring spirit, who looked forward State. It is also evident that those livto the time when the lands would being on the West Coast, or in the cencome valuable. The first crops of tral part of the State, in the same lativegetables planted were entirely experitude as those living on the East Coast, mental. Some succeeded, others failed. have different soil and climatic condiThere was a sufficient number of suctions to meet, so that it would be imcesses, so that the next year there were possible to cover the entire ground in many hundred acres under cultivation, one paper. the growers on a whole meeting with But, fortunately, we have on this comphenomenal success. Each year since mittee Mr. White and Mr. Healy, who the business has increased, until this will represent the northern sections of year there will be sent to market in the the State. neighborhood of 500,000 crates of toThe season just passing has been one matoes, besides Irish potatoes, eggof the most successful since the opening plant, peppers, English peas, cabbage, of the tropical part of the East Coast, etc. Prices have ruled high, as a whole. by the completion of the Florida East Among the most noted failures with Coast Railway to Miami. To say that which we have met have been those there have been no failures would be a made by old vegetable growers, who for misstatement. But when we say that years had been growing and shipping there have been fewer failures and vegetables from the northern parts of the greater succeses than ever before, we are State. Some of the greatest successes simply stating facts as we find them. have been made by those who for the first time made battle with mother earth EXPERIMENTAL. for a livelihood. But the day of experiment in a great measure has passed. Six years ago the lower East Coast The up-to-date trucker, whether he was a wilderness. The extensive acreplants on pine, prairie or muck land, age of alluvial prairie land lay as it came plants with the assurance that he will from the hand of the Creator, having litsucceed. In the past five years many

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PART OF DADE COUNTY FAIR EXHIBIT.

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FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 119 of the laws of nature have been masgathering of the fruit. This year, as in tered, especially those relating to the years past, there has been a constant adaptability of certain plants to certain complaint along these lines, and much soils and the adaptability of certain ferfruit which, if it had been properly tilizers for certain crops. To say, howpicked, would have sold as "Fancy," was ever, that the most advanced and sucsold in the market as choice or even in cessful trucker has reached perfectionlower grades. However, there has either in method of culture or fertilizabeen some improvement in this direction-would be a mistake. Each year tion, and there will continue to be, as the older and better class of truckers are the careless picker is getting some very demonstrating that "the half has never valuable experience on the wrong side been told," and each year there is rapid of the ledger. advancement in the vocation of trucking. PACKING. It is an indisputable fact that the average number of crates per acre is yearly Here again the planter is met with increasing. This results from a better another difficulty. Good packers are cultivation, a more thorough knowledge scarce. Many of the farmers have of what kinds of fertilizers are best learned this by experience, and now inadapted to the crop, and a larger and stead of trying to pack their own fruit more intelligent application of fertilizers. it is gathered and taken to a packing However, the growing of the crop is house, where none but expert and carenot the planter's greatest difficulty. Exful packers are employed. We have a perience and observation have taught class of growers who insist on placing them, so that nearly all grow a paying the finest fruit on the top of the basket, crop, in quantity. After the crop is while the under layer is made up of grown begins the planter's real trouble. small, knotty fruit. A buyer told us a During the picking season pickers and few days since that he purchased a car packers are scarce, and the planter is of tomatoes. A certain percentage was forced to take any kind of help that ofto be "Fancy," the remainder "Choice" fers itself. -with no culls. While they were loading the car the purchaser concluded to PICKING THE CROP. examine a few crates. On opening the first, marked "Fancy," he found the top We will speak more especially of the layers well packed and really fancy tomato crop, as this is grown most exgoods. On removing one of the layers, tensively. lie found the lower layer made up of a Among the difficulties the planter small, knotty unwrapped fruit; in fact, meets, there is none greater than the the poorest class of culls. Another picking. At first sight it would seem crate was opened, with the same results. that any one with a little care and atHe called the attention of the grower to tention could become an expert picker, these conditions, which resulted in the but this is far from the facts. The sale being declared "off." greatest care should be exercised in the There is also too much carelessness

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I2o FLORIDA ANTATE ORTICULTURAL SOCIETY shown on the part of the packer as to tilizer to the acre, commercial; not all the ripeness of the fruit. The greatest returns in yet, but the owner said it will possible care should be taken to select net from $5,ooo to $7,000. Many of our fruit that will ripen evenly, so that when best growers are of the opinion that this it reaches the market and the crate is crop will net the grower from $7,ooo to opened the fruit will present an even $io,ooo; the grower is one of our most appearance. We know of growers who conservative men and puts the net rewatch all these details carefully, and suilts as frst stated. their fruit is in demand at the highest No. 6-Two acres; high pine land; net market price. There are shippers in the proceeds, $1,520; 1500 pounds fertilizer Biscayne Bay country whose packages used on the two acres. are never opened, the buyers taking No. 7-Five acres; marl: 7,000 pounds them at a little above the highest market commercial and i ton stable manure; quotations. commenced plowing December 20; new Each year there is a marked improveland; No. 7 is not through shipping yet. ment on these points, and throughout So far he has shipped 300 crates to the the entire North, East and West there is acre; net average price, $1.65. a great demand for the Biscayne Bay No. 8-Five acres; tomatoes; sand country tomatoes. prairie; fertilizer used, 1000 pounds commercial to the acre, besides 6 barACTUAL EXAMPLES. rels stable manure. No. 8 is not through shipping. So far he has shipped 305 In closing this already too long article crates to the acre, and his net average we wish to give a few results that we price has been $1.65. have gathered from the farmers. In each No. 9--One and one-third acres; tocase we give the acreage, kind of land, matoes; sand prairie; fertilizer, commernumber of crates shipped, average price cial and stable manure; 1100 crates; received: $1.82 net; net returns, $2,002. No. 1-Twenty acres; marl; fertilizer, No. 1o-Ten acres; plowed three stable manure and commercial fertilizer; times; muck; 1500 pounds commercial 8,ooo crates; $1.44, net average price; fertilizer to the acre; 400 crates estitotal, $11,520. mated; not through shipping; do not No. 2-One-half acre; marl; stable know average price. manure and commercial; 216 crates; No. 11--Ten acres; plowed once; $1.5o average net price; total, $324. muck; same amount of fertilizer as No. 3-Irish potatoes; i acre; marl; above; 250 crates per acre; no average 65 barrels; fertilizer, stable manure and price stated. commercial; no price. No. 12-Ten acres; muck; listed; No. 4-One-half acre; tomatoes; total failure; fertilizer the same as the marl; stable manure and commercial; two above. 275 crates; $1.40 average net price; toNo. 13-Nine acres; marl; 2 1-2 tal, $385. acres plowed in August, all plowed in No. 5-Fifteen acres; tomatoes; sand December; total shipment, 2,600 crates; prairie; intensive cultivation ; I ton fershipments from the 2 1-2 acres plowed in

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i10RJDA pTAT H1'IJ1RTIC ULTURAL SOCIETY 121 August, 1,200 crates. The 2 1-2 acres No. 14-One-half acre; sand prairie; plowed twice yielded nearly half of the fourth crop; 260 crates; $1.6o crate; net whole crop on nine acres. returns, $416. Potato Culture in the Flatwoods. BY C. G. WHITE, OF HASTINGS. The yield of marketable spring potaThis crop is planted in late September or toes this year was about 14,500 barrels early October; grows until killed by on 535 acres. Last year it was over 13,frost; and is dug as the demand is for it, 5oo barrels on 300 acres. Up to this or if the land is wanted, it is dug and time the increase in acreage has been a banked. This fall crop cannot be beat normal growth. as an eating potato. Thirty barrels per Hastings soil is the typical flatwoods acre is a good yield. Few of these potasort, underlaid with clay about two feet toes leave the State. They are jobbed down. The land as a whole has so little off at $3 to $4 per barrel, often as late as fall and percolation that the matter of April. drainage is a most serious one. Ridges twelve to twenty inches high are a neSPRING CROP. cessity. The fields can be easily irrigated by The best preparation for potatoes is a turning water from flowing artesian preceding crop of cow peas. Tool prepwells into the drainage ditches and aration varies, but the result aimed at is carrying it where wanted by means of a thorough plowing, harrowing and dams. ridging. Ridges about four feet apart, Land is often broken in November for with the fertilizer well distributed in the the first time and planted the following lower halves. January. Two crops of potatoes are often Some people ridge five feet apart and taken from the same piece of land in a plant sugar cane between the rows. It year. There were fifty acres in secondis quite common to plant corn on one crop potatoes last fall. side of the ridge, but not so high up but Small uncut potatoes from the spring that careful digging will leave the corn crop are used for fall planting; but explant intact. perience condemns the use of culls. Fertilizer is usually scattered by hand This seed is best preserved during the on a slight ridge, or on the level, thorsummer by spreading thinly in a cool oughly incorporated with the soil by place. Considerable light is often a harrowing, and then the ridge is thrown benefit, but not much summer sun. over it. A week or ten days before the

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122 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY planting is a safe time to fertilize, and of soda by mistake. The Mapes patch it has the further advantage of being exceeded the normal patch in cost by done and out of the way. about $4. The list is arranged in the order of FERTILIZERS. yield of large potatoes per acre. Patch 1-Mapes; 62 1-2 bushels I have yet to know of a fair test at large, 50 bushels small; total marketHastings between ready-mixed and able, 112 1-2. home-mixed fertilizer in which the latter Patch 2-Nitrogen as sulphate of amwas not superior. The largest yields monia; 67 1-2 bushels large, 30 bushels have been on home mixtures. When small; total marketable, 97 1-2. one considers that, pound for pound of Patch 3-Nitrogen as castor pomace; actual plant food contained, a fancy 77 1-2 bushels large, 32 1-2 bushels brand like Mapes costs from a quarter small; total marketable, 1i o. to a half more than the stuff in acid Patch 4-Normal mixture and dose; phosphate, cotton seed meal, blood and 77 1-2 bushels large, 47 1-2 bushels bone, potash and nitrate of soda, the small; total marketable, 125. question arises whether an unbranded Patch 5-Potash as muriate; 85 bushdollar's worth would not give as good els large, 45 bushels small; total marketresults and build up the soil faster. It able, 130. seems to do so at Hastings. Patch 6-Phosphate as slag meal; The fertilizer used generally runs 87 1-2 bushels large, 45 bushels small; about the following proportions per total marketable, 132 1-2. acre: 700 pounds bright cotton seed Patch 7-Nitrogen as nitrate of soda meal; 700 pounds acid phosphate; 300 in two doses after plants were up; 105 pounds high grade sulphate of potash. bushels large, 32 1-2 bushels small; total I mix in a large, low box divided into marketable, 137 1-2. two compartments. The ingredients, Patch 8-Nitrogen and part phosabout half a ton, are placed in layers in plate as blood and bone ; 107 1-2 bushels the proper proportions in one side, then large, 37 1-2 bushels small; total marshovelled over: put through an inclined ketable. 145. screen having quarter-inch meshes, into Patch 9--Heavy (lose; 28oo pounds the other side; then screened back again regular mixture; 126 1-2 bushels large, and sacked. It is well mixed, free from 37 1-2 bushels small; total marketable, lumps, at a cost of fifty cents per ton. 164. A curtain round the back of the screen The sulphate of ammonia and the restrains the flying dust very decently. Mapes patches bear out former experI made some careful experiments this iences. year, which are as valuable as one set Theoretically, sulphate of ammonia is of experiments ever are. Each plot exinjurious to most plants on soils deficient cept the Mapes and the heavy mixture in lime. Mapes does not show up well was intended to contain proportional as a forcing manure. amounts of plant food. The blood and Slag phosphate does surprisingly well bone patch received 150 pounds nitrate and, so far as one test goes, sustains the

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PLORIDA STATES HORTICULTUR4b SOVISTY L23 European experiments as to its value on growers. This treatment is said to kill sour soils, and also the results at the what scab germs there are on the poOhio Experiment Station. tato. These patches were planted January Cutting seed is not a job for cheap 25, and dug May 3, when about half labor, nor should potatoes of doubtful grown. Vines were once frosted to the vigor or bad shape go into the seed ground, underwent a long, excessively pile. wet spell, and grew in a very backward For cutting large potatoes, that atseason. tractively advertised curved-bladed knife is a positive disadvantage. It (toes good SEED. work in very close cutting and in cutting long slender potatoes full of eyes. A For seed, the No. 4 Rose is a decided medium sized thin-bladed knife is usually favorite. It is used at the rate of from best. The ideal striven after in cutting three to five barrels per acre. Other is a chunky piece, having as little cut surthings being equal, the larger the seed face as possible, and the eye placed as piece, the earlier, thriftier and hardier near the center as possible. the plant. This difference is particuThe experience of the Cornell Experilarly noticeable in a bad season. It is inent Station and a number of others is best that the plant should grow from the that the sooner a cut potato goes into first sprout out of an eye. Potatoes havthe ground thelbetter. There is no gain ing white sprouts long enough to break and possibly no loss in carrying cut seed off, or that have had these sprouts resome (lays. But there is danger of moved, are not first-class seed. spoiling, through heating; and the cut Personally, I cut to size of seed piece, seed freezes easily if cold comes. Cut whether it has one eye on it or four; seed had best be spread thinly until and I always try to split the cluster of wanted, if the delay is a matter of (lays. eyes at the bud end, so as not to have so A careful man can use a machine cutmany on a piece, and also because these ter to advantage on seed full of eyes, eyes make the earliest potatoes if backed and of the Early Rose type. I should 1)y a proper chunk of potato. People hardly care to use it on the No. 4 Rose. who cut to one eye or two eyes almost I want every seed piece a good one, and invariably cut too small as they near the a plant every foot in the furrow. It bud end. If the bud eyes have not their pays. share of potato, they are handicapped. Regularity in size of seed piece is an aid PLANTING. to uniformity of crop. The eye at the stem is least useful of all. There is yet The ridge is split open for planting another way of insuring a stand of poand the seed piece dropped on what tatoes. Potatoes exposed to a strong would be the normal level of the ground light or even exposed to the winter sun or a little higher. If dropped by hand, until they green and start dark, strong, it is covered with a disc cultivator. This stubby shoots are nearly indestructible leaves the seed piece in the center of a when planted, and are early and prolific well-stirred ridge, about three to five

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124 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY inches above the furrow bottoms. When sometimes badly. Early blight appearthe plant is laid by, the seed piece is ofed very generally this year. No potato ten six or eight inches above the furrow bugs bother as yet. The greatest danger bottoms, and covered with five or six is wet rot. inches of earth. Extreme ridging is not The bulk of the planting is in late a theory at Hastings. January, the digging in early May. The I use an Improved Robbins potato crop is then half to two-thirds grown, planter, and prefer it to the Aspinwall, otherwise the yields would be unusual. because when a piece gets crushed by the machinery it can be replaced; and DIGGING. with a good man on behind there need Digging is usually done with hooks; be no skips. But if the tender is careless the ridge is barred off, leaving only a or incompetent, the Aspinwall will do balk to handle. Three rows of potatoes better work. It plants about ninetyare thrown together, making a heap five per cent. correctly, and takes only row. Labor costs $1.25 a day during one man. I have used both machines. harvest and there is not enough of it. Cultivation is largely done with riding We ship on a falling market and everydisc cultivators-an ideal tool in ridge body wants to rush his crop off at once. work and in trash. We rig them with All the surrounding towns are ransacked a sixteen and twenty inch disc on a side, for extra teams and men. and set them either to stir the ridge sides Two farmers use the Dowden digger, or to throw earth over the whole ridge. a four-horse machine. I have tried the I use a Hallock weeder to stir the ridge Dowden, the Hoover, the Aspinwall and tops until the vines are six inches high. the Hallock. I do not care for any of Hand hoeing in a wet season costs me them if I can get enough men. Our perhaps 25 cents per acre. conditions in every way are almost too The furrows on each side of the ridges extreme for standard machines. are kept constantly open at the ends, so After digging, if the sun is at all hot, that rain water need not stand in them. the potato should be immediately barI go over these outlets after every cultirelied the sun ruins them quickly. They vation and after every hard rain. My are sorted into firsts, seconds and culls, crop gets seven or eight cultivations at and the first two sizes are shipped. Sortleast. ing is a hard job to get well done. I If the plants are only two or three have a special boss for this work. The inches high, and a freeze threatens, the firsts are picked up, then the seconds. disc is used to cover the vines, which are No darkey seems able to pick up both left to grow out again of their own acat the same time and keep them distinct. cord. If the plants are larger, they are I like a half-bushel patent stave basket often uncovered by hand. I doubt and a pail bail for this work. Barrels of whether covering six-inch plants pays. firsts are placed in one row and barrels The frosted-back plants seem to catch up of seconds in another, so there will be before the end of the season. Covering no mismarking, and the hands can see small plants certainly pays. where the last unfilled barrel of each sort Bacterial blight bothers in new land, is. When a barrel is headed and sten-

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FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 125 cilled on the top and side, it is laid down, progressive in this as the Eastern marso that the finished barrels can at once kets. be distinguished by the wagoner. One If a pack is uniformly good in uniform man this year sorted under cover, but barrels, if it is such that you would rush this involves a lot of extra handling and to buy any barrel in a lot in preference is not likely to prevail unless the pack to any other barrel in any other lot, beis much improved by it. The immature cause you were certain of what you were potatoes skin easily, so they need caregetting; then the way to get the best ful handling. They are well shaken money from the crop is to ship in such down in the barrel and the head is a way that the brand can become known, forced home with a lever press. so that it will be called for. When that point is reached, the commission man is PACKING. able to ask 50 cents or a dollar above what just as good but miscellaneous Florida potatoes, to bring top prices, stock is selling for, and when a glut must not only be well sorted, but well comes this stock sells first and best. A packed. The last potato crowded in is good reputation is money in the truck worth the first three. market. Barrels are usually too much venHastings potatoes will average to tilated. Sixteen one-inch auger holes bring the shipper from $2 to $4 cash per in the sides of a barrel are sufficient. barrel for the season. The yield is Potatoes have often left Hastings in such from anything up to eighty-five barrels a ventilated barrel, so wet by the rain per acre; thirty is considered poor, fifty that water ran out of the holes when good. Gross expense runs from $50 up. loading, and yet they reached New York in fie shape. A BIG ACRE YIELD. Too much ventilation causes the potato to shrink and to lose its bright new The following is an account of an avlook. erage acre of my own last year. This We are mostly all-rail shippers, deincludes cost of all mule and man labor spite the 20 cents or so additional cost at hiring prices: over boat freight. This is not all notion, Rent of ground .............. $ 5 00 either. Preparation of ground ........ 3 30 Most people seem to believe that treatFertilizing, harrowing in and ing potatoes as a fancy product is a huge ridging .. .. .. ............ 2 60 joke. Prof. Rolfs' advice in his book Cutting and planting seed...... 2 oo on Vegetable Growing, to use old crates Fertilizer .. .. .. ............ 23 10 and disreputable barrels, is the worst Seed potatoes .. .. ........... .10 88 possible. A nice, large, new elevenBarrels .... .. .. ... ........ 18 30 peck barrel is none too good for the best Tending .. ... .............. .3 65 trade; to use a crate of any kind is, I beDigging, barreling and hauling. .12 73 lieve, to throw away money. The WestOther expenses .............. 4 00 ern markets do, however, quote early potatoes by the crate. They are not so $85 56

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126 FLORIDA 8TATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY" Credit 61 barrels potaThe potato at Hastings is not a botoes ... ........... $206 10 nanza vegetable. It is with good manExpense .. .... ...... .85 56 agement capable of an average net profit Net profit ........ $120 54 per acre of between $50 and $75. This It is too soon for complete statistics is a good farm profit. My experience is this year. It is needless to say they are of seven years. not so good. Dwarf Orange Culture. BY S. POWERS, OF JACKSONVILLE. Doubtles the title of this paper will not bulk and strength, such as the French especially commend it to most Ameripear trees near St. Louis, several huncans. We are accustomed to associate dred years old, healthy and prolific, or the word dwarf with those fantastic crethe famous Occletree pear near Vincenations of Chinese and Japanese gardennes, Ind., over 150 years old, which has ers, who prune and compress trees into produced 140 bushels of pears in a single shapes as unnatural as the feet ci their season. In the presence of such orchard women; or with the delicate dwarf pear patriarchs our countrymen generally tree, which is the only dwarf thing in look upon a dwarf a few feet high, even pomology with which most people are though it bears the choicest fruit at two familiar. or three years of age, with ill-concealed The dwarf pear has been rendered uncontempt. A boy in an Iowa town was justly objectionable to the American asked by a traveler what religious creed public by having been the subject of one prevailed in that town, and he replied, of those crazes, such as the morus mul"We mostly believes in the Durham ticaulis or sorghum, which occasionally breed." But skilled and scientific afflict this country. A dwarf pear, orchardists know that (lwarf pears, carefully nurtured, is one of the most when properly cared for, are best and profitable as well as beautiful objects in most profitable. Eugene Curtis, of the orchard. But when it is treated in Masachusetts, it is said, sold $1400 the rough-and-ready manner to which worth of dwarf pears from an acre. most farmers and even orchardists subThey also know that the dwarf cherry, jected it more than twenty-five years Prunus pumila, worked on the mahaleb ago, it dwindles away unfruitful and stock, is most suitable for small vildies. lage orchards; the fruit being most easily The typical American farmer respects protected from birds with netting, and

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FLORIDA 8TATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 127 thus allowed to become thoroughly ripe ly attain a diameter of three and a half on the trees, which is so essential to the inches. It is the universal opinion high quality of the acid varieties. throughout Japan that this variety is the In the Wellhouse orchard in Kansas, best orange grown in that country. If which came into bearing in 1883, and in the Satsuma on trifoliate stock is the 1890 produced 79,000 bushels, the trees best orange in Japan, we see no reason are headed low and pryamlidal, and fivewhy it should not be a good orange in sixths of the apples can be picked by Florida. This opinion, if coming from men standing on the ground. In the the Japanese alone, would be open to burning summer winds and winter blizsuspicion, for they often eat both orzards of Kansas this low-headed form. anges and persimmons when they are branching from the ground, is necesgreen and of a vile flavor; but Amerisary. cans in Japan all say that when the Satsuma is allowed to ripen it is delicious. ORANGES IN JAPAN. The trees bear very young. Trees imported into California only eighteen In Japan the Qonshin, which we call inches high have arrived in San Franthe Satsuma, is grafted or budded on the cisco with fiften or twenty oranges still citrus trifoliata. indigenous to Japan, hanging to their branches after the long which gives it hardiness. It has a very voyage. different growth from our trees, heing really a large bush. It does not often DwARF ORANGES ON OTAHEITE STOCK. grow over ten feet in height, the highest about twelve, but it covers a great area. In 1875 Dr. C. J. Kenworthy settled H. E. Amoore, the Japanese traveler and in Jacksonville, and having been preimporter, speaks of measuring one which viously interested in growing the dvarf was seventy feet around the branches, apple on Paradise stock and the dwarf which rested on the ground. They are pear on quinice stock, he turned his atnot pruned on the stem, but the young tention to the subject of dwarfing the shoots are cut off from the upper part orange on the Otaheite stock. He sent of the tree to keep it down. The to Long Island and obtained one plant branches starting from the ground are of this stock from which he propagated very irregular and completely hide the others. In a letter to the writer he said: trunk. They are planted on the sides "One of my hushes, less than three of the hills, on ledges or terraces, thirty feet high, and within thirty months from to fifty feet, generally only about ten the time the Otaheite branch was layfeet apart, the branches interweaving so ered and budded, produced thirty-three close together that passage is impossible large Homosassa oranges. All my except by crawling under. In the valbushes produced full crops of fruit withleys they are not planted regularly, but in three years from the time the plottedd about with rice and vegetables. branches of the stock were layered and These dwarf trees are very prolific; budded. The next winter a blizzard dethe branches are literally laden with fruit. stroyed both my standard trees and Amoore states that the oranges generaldwarfs.

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128 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY "As to the longevity of the stock, I to their fruitfulness. By causing the cannot express a positive opinion. The bushes to branch near the ground the variety is vigorous and appears to ensoil will be protected from the sun, dure harsh treatment and neglect when weeds would not grow, the stems would grown in pots and in private houses. I be protected from sun and cold winds, see no reason why it should not live as insecticides could be conveniently aplong as the ordinary orange or lemon. plied, and ladders would not be required "The Otaheite possesses an advantage to gather the fruit. Some will remark as a stock-that of inducing early fruitthat the summer pruning would require fulness. From experience I am conmuch time and labor. But in one day vinced that it can be successfully and a man could go over a large number of profitably cultivated 6x6 or 8x8 feet bushes; and the result would prove reapart, if summer pruning is resorted to. munerative in the way of increasing production of fruit. If you desire fruit, DWARFING BY PRUNING. prune in summer; if a luxuriant growth of wood, prune in autumn or winter. By "The tendency of the citrus family at summer pruning, winter pruning would an early period is to make a vigorous be avoided. growth, in the way of one or more "Unless summer pruning is resorted branches; and to form productive bushes to the budded portion will form a large, this must be prevented by summer prunstraggling top, out of proportion to the ing. I applied to my bushes the mode stock and roots, and the trees will be of culture advocated and adopted by prostrated by strong winds. No person Thomas Rivers, of England, in the culshould attempt to cultivate the citrus ture of dwarf apples and pears. At an family on the Otaheite stock unless they early period the leader was stopped and resort to summer pruning and the presmade to branch near the ground. Afervation of the bush form. ter this the leader was regularly stopped by nipping out the top after it had made DWARF CITRUS CULTURE. eight or ten leaves. After the side branches had made a growth of six or "I believe that dwarf citrus culture eight leaves the tops were removed. Afhas a future. For cultivation in gardens ter the bushes were developed each dwarf bushes would occupy but little growth was stopped at from four to space, and could be easily protected eight leaves, according to the vigor of from frost by boxes or other covering. the bush. This procedure caused my Dwarf apple culture in England proved bushes to assume the form of a cone, a commecial success; and I cannot see producing large leaves and an ample any reason why dwarf orange culture on supply of fruit. I would suggest to exa large scale should not prove profitable. perimenters to go over their bushes ocIn conclusion, I would say to your readcasionally, and as soon as any branch ers, don't engage in dwarf orange culmade a certain number of leaves to stop ture unless you are disposed to do the it by nipping out the top. This process bushes justice and resort to summer will keep the bushes dwarf and will add pruning. Winter pruning produces

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FLORIDA STATK HORTICULTURAL SOCIrTY 12 wood and summer pruning fruit, and "He plants out a number of the Otaplenty of it. Don't neglect your bushes heite shrubs or trees in a fair soil, and at and they will reward you with an ample the proper season, that is, when they are supply of large, luscious fruit. By thinmaking a vigorous growth, he carefully nmg the fruit a full crop can be obtained layers, in the usual way, every available annually-no 'off year' in the way of limb or branch. When these layers fruit. Limit production and the fruit show signs of growth, he buds into will be better developed and more salathem, very near the ground, such varble." eties as he desires to propagate. When A writer in The Florida Dispatch, in the buds start, he does not cut off the May, 1882, gives further particulars of stock above, but ties a ligature of cord this interesting plantation of dwarf oror fine wire around and near the top of anges. When he visited them it was the stock, retaining the leaves to assist about twenty-two months since they had iii nourishing and pushing forward the been budded, and they were carrying all young bud. If this budding is done very the way from fifteen to forty oranges early, the bud will make several growths apiece, "larger and farther advanced to(luring the first season, and the little tree ward maturity than those of the same will be large enough to transplant the varieties on older standard trees overfollowing winter. When thus removed, head." They were further described as the dwarfs may be planted six or eight follows: feet apart-the Doctor's are only five "These miniature trees, ranging trom c s-and they will afterward require no two and a half to four and five feet high, more care than any good orange grower are mostly of perfect form; branching bestows upon the trees in his garden or near the ground, limbed out symmetgrove. rically, and presenting generally the shape of an obtuse cone, the true form DwARF ORANGES ON TRIFOLIATE STOCK. for all fruit trees in this climate. The foliage of these Liliputians of the citrus The complete destruction of all orfamily is also larger, thicker and darker ange trees In North Florida by the in color than that of the ordinarwy sweet freeze of 1895 gave great importance to orange trees growing aound them; and the question of protection: and the they present an air of thriftiness and question of protection is very largely vigor which we were at first disposedd to conditioned upon the size of the trees. refer to the liberal use of fertilizers and Everyone will recognize that it is abextra care and cultivation. Dr. K. assurd to consider for a moment the prosured us, however, that such was not the tection of thirty-foot seedlings as a matfact, and stated that all his trees, dwarfs ter of profit. In North Florida it is, and standards, have been treated pretherefore, a simple alternative-either cisely alike, and that there are no fatrees of smaller size or no protection and vored, forced or pampered ones among no guarantee of oranges. The practithem." cability of raising dwarf or semi-dwarf The mode of propagation is thus detrees on the trifoliate stock-though it scribed: may' require tubbing or other cramping

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120 fPLO1?DA .TIATE BORTICULTURAL SOCIETY of the roots to reduce the trees to hundreds of nursery trees, two or three dwarfs-has been fully established; and years old, carrying from one to twenty the trees are perfectly healthy and very oranges each. The varieties were: prolific. But how about the quality of i. Maltese Oval: fancy bright, about the fruit? Last fall Mr. George L. 176 size; flavor excellent. Taber, the well-known nurseryman of 2. Hart's Late on citrus trifoliata: Glen St. Mary, sent me samples of a about 176; fancy bright; not quite manumber of varieties grown on nursery ture; rather tart. trees, which I had seen a few days before 3. Hart's Late on sour: about 250 in his nursery; none of them over 1 1-2 size; blemished, not fully colored; peel inches in diameter and six feet high. thin; some raw acid. In his letter, after mentioning the va4. St. Michael Blood: fancy bright; rieties, he says: size about 176; blood markings in splin"With the exception of the one ters; quality best, delicious. Hart's Late, above alluded to, all the 5. Du Roi Blood: fancy bright; obother samples were taken from trees long; about 176; not mature yet; a litgrown on citrus trifoliata stock. They tie tart; no blood markings yet appear. are all from stock grown thickly in the 6. Magnum Bonum: fancy; fully nursery rows. ripe; quality excellent, sprightly. "While some of the varieties have not 7. Ruby: fancy bright; size about yet reached their best stage of ripeness, 200; well ripened and colored up; blood I think you will find them all fairly markings diffused through and through, good eating. Blood markings, as you almost blended; quality delicious, thorof course know, do not generally apoughly satisfactory. pear until late in the season, and hence 8. Majorca: fancy bright; oblong; some of the blood varieties sent may not not thoroughly matured; juice a little show much of this characteristic. The tart. only fair wy to make a comparison of 9. Washington Navel: bright; about varieties is from the same varieties on 1 26; navel mark slight; peel about 3-8 different stocks of the same age and inch thick; juice of a heavy sweet flavor, varieties and grown under exactly the but lacking in the sprightliness of most same conditions. By another year I of the above; would be popular in the hope to be able to show all varieties market. growing side by side upon both citrus 1o. Tangerine: fancy; small; peel norifoliata and sour stocks." ticeaby fine-grained and smooth, thin; It may be well to state a point which flavor delicious, satisfactory. Mr. Taber omitted-that, owing to the Considering that these oranges grew trees being still in the nursery rows, on nursery trees four feet apart one way They were fertilized for growth and not and six inches to a foot apart the other, ror fruit. This rendered the peel slightthey are really a remakable lot of fruit. y thicker than it otherwise would have We leave our readers to figure out for seen, especially in the Navels, though themselves the possibilities which they n the Tangerines no such effect was vissuggest. ble. When I saw this fruit there were

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FLORIDA NTATN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 131 TRIFOLIATE, SOUR AND SWEET. POMELOS. In March, 1898, Mr. Taber planted Duuca n.. .. .. ..........Sour 5 7 60 trees on these three stocks, same age and rcans.eedles. ......... S.ur 7 20 size as near as possible, and June 20, Marsh Seedless.... .... ..C. T. 3 4% 33 1901, he took the following careful Triumph .. ............Sweet 7% 6% 0 measurements of height and breadih of Triunpb...............C. T. 6 G 75 trees and number of fruits on each: OTAHEITE VS TRIFOLIATE STOCKS. ORANGES. The trifoliate is a very hardy stock, No 0' Variety Stock. Hgh't. Brd th, I V'1 and imparts some of its hardiness to the Bessie................. .....Sour 6% 7% o tree grown upon it. The Otaheite is Bessie.... .. ........ .. .C. T. 4 5% 58 tender. Mr. E. V. Reasoner, of Oneco, Centennial. ... .. .......Sour a; 7% 1.' Centennial.. .. .. .. ........T. 4% 4 1 7 the well-known nurseryman, says of it: Du Roi... ..... .... .Sweet 4% 5% 8 "We do not think much of the OtaDu Roi.. .... ........ T. 6% 7 61 heite as a stock, judging from the OtaEarly Oblong.. ... ...Sour G 1/ 7 0Early Oblong.. ....r.. .... 5% cr / 7 r heite tree itself; it looks just like a rough Hart's Late.... .. .. ....Sour 6%1/ 8 3 lemon, and grows to a good-sized tree; Hart's Late........... ....T. 4 and so far as we can see, it is no better Hornosassa.... .. ......S.our C 7% 4 Honosassa.. .. .. ......C. T. 6% ry 26 than the rough lemon in any particular Jaffa.... .... .... ......Sour 6% % c and is even more tender." .Tffa .... ............... T 5% C On the contrary, Mr. A. J. Pettigrew. King .. .... .. .......... Sour 81/ 5 81 King.... .... .. .. .....C. T. S 5 281 of Manatee, wrote me as follows: Mad. Vinous.. ......sour 7 8 4 "My oldest trees on Otaheite are only Mad. Vinous... ...C.. C% sixteen years old. They have been Magnum Bonm.... ...Sweet 7 7 sxte yarThybn Magnum Bonumu.. ......C. T. 6 9 perfectly healthy in every way and I Majorca...... .... ......Sour 6 5 0 think the Otaheite is exempt from footMalse Blood.... ...... ..o rot, because its fruit is a small, insipid Maltese Blood.... .. .... C.T. 3 3% 35 orange, entirely seedless, and it has to Maltese Oval.. .......weet 5% 6% 96 be propagated from cuttings. I have Noarie .val.. ..e......(. S1/2 4 stuck the cuttings into all sorts of Nonpariel .. ............. Sou 6% 7;% 5 Nouparlel .... ........ .. C. T. 6 f;%/ 54) ground at all times of the year, and a Old Vini.. .. ............Sour 61% 6% 4 large portion of them grow and have no Old Vini........ .... ....C. T. 4 5 44 L Pineapple.. ...... .. .... Sour 51/2 6 foot-rot; but the very young growths Pineapple...... .... .. ..C. T. 5% 5 4:1 as cuttings cannot stand the July and Ruby ............ .. .. ..Sour 6 4% 0 August sunshine. My Otaheite stocks Ruby...... ........... ..C. T. 4% 3% 38 St. Michael's Blood.......Sour 5 4 4) flourish on all sorts of soil, from the St. Micheal's Blood.. .. ..C. T. 3% 5% 75 poorest white sand to the richest hamTangerine.. ...........Sweet 6 5 43 mock. Tangerine.. .. .. ........C. T. 4% 5 78 Washington Navel.. .. ..Sour 5y/ 2 o "I have not yet had sufcient experWashington Navel.... ...C. T. 3% 4% 32 ience and proof to speak positively on

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132 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY all points; but if it as stock will 'behave' acre of land planted in these dwarfs than with all varieties of the citrus family as I could with any other trees. For it does with my oldest trees, which are places where shedding or tent protecgood native seedlings budded on the tion is needed, the dwarfs possess special Otaheite, I can raise more oranges with advantages." less trouble and more satisfaction on one Good Roads in Florida. BY CHARLES HENRY BAKER, OF GRASMERE. The modern movement in favor of small cost for maintenance. Though it good roads, gaining daily in strength may be said that a road built according and achievement, is what interests us to such a definition would be difficult of here. It is singular that with the Rorealization, if not in many cases and man roads before them as an object lesplaces practically impossible, it is neverson, it has required some thousands of theless necessary to establish a standard years for the people most familiar with that shall embody the maximum of adthem, despite their advance in civilizavantage, toward the realization of which tion, to make roads approaching them effort shall be directed; and such a in essentials. It is also perhaps as sinstandard should always be as high as gular that the good road of to-day is not possible. Roads have indeed been built invariably traceable to the Roman road that conform quite closely to the defias prototype, but has been, largely nition, carrying out in fact what science through the improvements in animals and experiment have declared to give and in wheeled vehicles, developed inthe best results. dependently alongisde of it. The good road of to-day is not the WHAT A GOOD ROAD IS. same as that of antiquity. This brings us to the question, What is a good road They are broad highways, composed to-day ? of broken stone of uniform size laid on A good road to-day, speaking briefly a base of finer stone or gravel, and and generally, is one as nearly straight steam-rolled to extreme solidity, with a and level as may be and of adequate hard smooth surface like a floor. From width, having a smooth, resistant surtheir superiority over other roads they face, and of such stability in form and may be said to be the best of the good construction as enables it to withstand roads. its customary heavy travel with but For obvious reasons such roads can-

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FLORIDA STATE BORTICULTURAL POCIETY 133 not yet be built everywhere.and different wagon moving over the road. The sections direct their energies toward sides of the compartments in the tires carrying forward the construction of should slope gently inward, so that the their good roads as near to a high sand may have a chance to leave the standard as possible with the best macompartments. Rather deep fellows, terials at their disposal. In this worthy coming to a fairly sharp angle inwarld, work Florida is fairly embarked and also as to prevent the sand from binding most every day witnesses the extension the rim of the wheel, would be of use and completion of roads far better than in this kind of wheel. any heretofore available. A great part Such a device, if carried out, might of the state has a loose sandy surface, aid where no improvement in roads is and the roads have been, and in many in contemplation. parts still are, of the worst possible The natural tendency, however, is to character. Experiment has demonmake an improved road. Good roads strated that to move wagons over loose have been made in Florida by using sevsandy roads requires a pull in pounds eral different materials for surfacingabout equal to one-fifth of the weight rock, shell, clay and pine straw. These of the load. Now, the same load on an are, of course, not equally durable or ordinary earth road requires a pull of useful, and their employment has always only about one-ninth of its weight. been governed by their presence and This simple statement makes it clear accessibility. If one was not available, that almost any dry surface would be perhaps another would be, and thus the better than on sand roads. work could go on. GROOVED WHEELS. GOOD ROADS IN DIFFERENT COUNTIES. It is not out of the question that travel The work of making improved roads over loose sand might be rendered has progressed differently in different measurably easier by using wheels of parts of our State. Some counties, it suitable construction. Sand when would appear, have done nothing in firmly enclosed is one of the most obthis direction, while in others it has stinate of substances. Broad tires taken an important position in public might be used having a broken central work. In speaking more particularly groove rolled into them, leaving hollows of this, the writer will, no doubt, be parsay six to eight inches long, an inch or doned for beginning with Orange, since more in width, and three-quarters of an that is his own county, and with her inch or more in depth, thus forming a sixty to sixty-five miles of good roads continuous series of small compartshe stands well to the front. ments in the center of the tire, which, In Orange county, after the road line when running over sand, would always is definitely located, the roadway is carebe compresing it into solidity and firmfully excavated to the requisite depth nes in a small mass as each compartment and width by a road machine. The came below the center of the wheel, surface material is then filled in to a thus giving additional stability to the depth sufficient, after a thorough roll-

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LA PLORIDA STATH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY ing, to result in the proper finishd thickmile. The dominant idea in Orange ness in the center and at the sides. It is to get a road through in good shape is then carefully surfaced. If shell is and add any further improvements later used, it breaks down under treatment, on. and ultimately cements into a firm mass. In Volusia improved roads have been In using clay, the last feature of the built to some extent. Shell and pinework is a thorough sanding, which imstraw are used. The finished road is proves the surface and prevents rapid eight or ten feet wide with side depths washing. Some shell road has been of six to eight inches and a center depch built, but the good road of the county of eight to ten inches. Shell road costs is the clay road; and the clays here found about $6oo per mile and pine-straw, and used are exceptionally well adapted where used, about $40 per mile. Pinefor such purposes. They are really straw is an excellent material for light what are scientifically known as "sandtravel; it lasts about a year on a moderrocks," containing seventy-five per cent. ately frequented road and then is run of white sand, resembling sugar, intidown in such a way as to afford an elasmately mixed with the clay. They vary tic basis for new straw, better than one in color from white to dark red, and could make purposely. Roads finished stand exposure to various seasons, both with it should be carefully "scalped" wet and dry, better than anything simiover new ground, since grass tussocks lar with which the writer is acquainted. underneath do not crush much, and reTheir use has really transformed the gaining hard make the road uneven and county roads and they have rendered a uncomfortable. Pine-straw is a great great service to the community. The improvement where nothing more subroads in Orange are ten feet wide, filled stantial is immediately available. Its in six inches at the sides. and eight to principal weaknes is its combustible naten inches in the center when finished. ture, and roads finished with it must be carefully guarded. DIFFERENT MATERIALS USED. MATTERS OF DETAIL. Shell road costs $1,ooo to $1,100; clay road, about $700 per mile. In going In making good roads in Florida, as through flatwoods sections the roads are elsewhere, it is best to make them as finished and surfaced with the heavy top nearly level as practicable, to follow soil; shallow ditches are dug; the maaround hills if it can be done, rather terial is thrown into the center and subthan build on steep grades, which adds sequently dressed into shape; this costs so much to the draught. It is advised about $200 per mile. In some places that, as a grade of one foot in thirtywhere improved roads are not to be built five is the steepest down which a immediately a simple grubbing out of horse can safely be driven rapidly, this palmetto roots in flatwoods sections is rate should be kept in view, and not a great help, as the suface is usually hard more than doubled in the degree of the enough to afford quick travel. Such slope. That is to say, one foot in thirtygrubbing can be done for about $50 per five is about 151 feet per mile; a slope

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FLORIDA STATM HORTICULTURAL ROCIRTY L35 twice the former makes a grade of one It is the writer's hope that the work foot in twenty-three or 231 feet per of good roads in Florida, which has mile. Hauling on the best roads we can made so fair a start, may go on and secure is greatly increased by the grades spread throughout the State. In conand it pays to do a little grading if it clusion, thanks are returned to the can be accomplished. In finishing a many commissioners of different counroad also it would be desirable to leave ties who have kindly responded to rethe center a little overfull, as this crownquests for information. ing is one of the first points to give way tinder travel. Some Productive Pomelos. Seeing the dwarf orange trees menbest that can be accomplished in Polk tioned in these columns as having come county. from Dr. Inman's groves, we had a cuProbably most of the Florida readers riosity to learn whether this departure of the Farmer and Fruit Grower are was likely to increase, and wrote to Dr. aware of the nature of Polk county soil; F. W. Inman, of Winter Haven, asking to others it may be well to state that the him for further particulars. In his regreater part of it is of a very thin and ply, among other things, he said: "If light description. At Winter Haven, you will come down I will show you except in a narrow margin around the five-year-old trees carrying ten boxes of numerous lakes, it would be classed as fruit." This statement decidedly staghigh pine, though there is evidently a gered our credulity, but we determined bottom to it, holding the water of the to go anyhow. lake as tight as a barrel. Red clay occurs about five or six feet below the surDR. INMAN'S GROVES. face in places, and is extensively quarried as a material for making turnpikes. On his own groves there are about Striking out north from the house 175 acres; with these he has enough with Dr. Inman and Mr. A. B. Harringmore in charge for Northern residents ton, we drove slowly along among the to bring his count up to about 300 acres. tangerines. These trees have all grown The management of them is left entirely up since 1895 and are about eight feet to his discretion, and the various groves high, with an equal spread, and beautibear a general resemblance. The fully picked out with the bright red fruit. thirty-acre grove directly north of the The tangerine is a superficial growing residence is the Doctor's pet; it receives fruit, largely on the periphery of the his best care and study, and the results tree, and its brilliant color and comparobtained here are an indication of the atively small size render it deceiving. It

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136 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY shows on the tree for all it is worth, and around a little we found a rift where a generally about ten to twenty-five per man's head could be inserted between cent. more. A tree seldom comes up the fruits. There was nothing much in to expectations; when picked and measthere but fruit. We withdrew our head ured, the fruit is not there. We guessed and thrust in an arm full length, touchat the load on this tree and that tree, ing the trunk, and felt the fruit as thick and the Doctor's views were more modin there as on the outside. erate than our own. We had requested We are free to admit that we never him to bring along a tapeline to do some saw the equal of this before. On this measuring and estimating, but the trees and other trees there were masses of so far, at the utmost we could reckon, fruit where, if we could have cut away were manifestly so far below ten boxes two cubic feet of it just as it hung, that we said nothing about it. picked it off and placed it in a box (two It developed later that lie meant cubic feet), it would have filled the box pomelos, not oranges. two-thirds full if not more. Dozens of The Doctor frankly said he did not bethe fruits hung down on the ground, and lieve he had a tangerine with over three resting on these, tier after tier, was built boxes on it, the average being about up in regular fashion to the suinimit-a two or a little over. broken, leafy, pale-lemon pyramid of fruit. If this tree had been cut off at TIIE POMELOS. the ground it would not have fallen over, it could only have canted over a We drove out into the road, then foot or two; the fruit would have held down a few hundred yards, and into a it up. Great masses of fruit hung here pomelo grove. The trees are rather irand there, which the wind could no regular in size, but we note(] that the more shake than it could a sackful of tallest ones only reached a little above Nova Scotia potatoes or a quarter of the buggy, even the topmost tips. The Chicago beef. fruit was all contained on boughs not above the buggy, and very little as high MEASURING THE TREES. as that even. The middle of the trees were fairly bulging with fruit. It was In view of this unequaled spectacle, getting decidedly interesting. Finally we felt a little backward about measurwe came to a tree which we all decided ing the tree, as implying a skepticism we ought to alight and measure. The concerning the Doctor's estimate which modest pomelo is very different from the we no longer entertained. But he proshowy tangerine. The pomelo has its duced the tapeline and we proceeded. fruit hidden in the middle, like a quail's We threw one end of it over the tree, nest, with the eggs piled up two or three then the other end over, at right angles, deep. "Part the leaves and look in thus dividing the tree into quarters. there," said the Doctor. We could not Two of us attempted to count the fruits do it; the fruit was in the way. "Stick in one quarter, but it was useless; we your head in there and see what you can had to abandon the attempt. The tree find," he said, laughing. After looking was twenty-eight feet around the

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FIVE-YEAR 01.1) Po \ I OS IN I)?. INMAN'S (UROVIV.

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FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 137 branches, six feet six inches to the highwhich would give five boxes to the tree. est fruit, and eight feet to the top of the The larger tree above described will eastallest shoot. ily yield ten boxes, if not more. We drove across the road and into It is only just to state that the pomeanother pomelo grove belonging to Mr. lo, especially a young tree, after bearing Harrington. These trees were smaller, such an excessive crop of fruit, generand we decided to make another attempt ally rests the following year, yielding to measure and estimate a tree's load. little or nothing. Selecting one as well loaded in proporNinety-five per cent. of this fruit is tion as the one above describe(], we bright. It is generally regular in form, found it to be seventeen feet in circumthough occasionally squeezed out of ference around the branches and five shape by the dense crowding, and even feet to the topmost fruit. Quartering the fruits growing on the ground show the top as before with the tapeline. two no blemish as a result of it. The secret of us counted the fruits in one quarter, of these remarkable crops is good judgalthough with great difficulty on account ment and careful personal attention to of their crowded condition. One of details, frequent shallow cultivation of us made seventy-nine, the other eightythe tree rows, the growth of beggarfive, and we agreed to call it eighty. It weed in the middles, the use of Mapes was the best quarter of the tree, and manures, and slight heading back of the we agreed to figure the load at 300 tops.-S. Powers, in Florida Farmer and fruits. They were about of the 64 size, Fruit Grower.

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Report of Committee on President's Address. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: of double size, a free stone and slightly Among the many valuable facts premore acid in flavor. With the immense sented by our President for which we crops of Georgia Elberta peaches, it is extend the thanks of the Society this improbable that Florida can produce committee would call special attention peaches for the Southern markets that to the remarks on improving old or inwill compete successfully with Elberta, troducing new varieties of peaches by but the point is worth considering in propagating seedlings in hedges. The testing new varieties. first systematic effort in this direction For home markets and home use was probably made by the late A. J. there is room for improvement over the Bidwell, who, from a limited number of present varieties on general sale by seedlings of the Peento, supposed to renurserymen. produce itself always as a flat peach, inFor preserving especially, large clings troduced three new varieties of clings of good quality covering the season are of round or oblong form, which he desirable, and when such varieties are named Bidwell's Early, Bidwell's Late discovered they should be disseminated and the Seminole. Other experimentas rapidly as possible to prove whether ers worked along the same lines, and we they are adapted for general culture. have the Waldo and Jewell by T. K. Gradual inbreeding or crossing of the Godby, the Imperial and others. Chinese or Oriental strains with the old The efforts of the experimenters varieties that were generally cultivated should be directed to midseason and late in Florida before the introduction of the peaches for home market and family use, former, will doubtless in time produce as well as to early varieties for the peaches that will give Florida a longer Northern markets, and to varieties that season of this delicious fruit than any will succeed in Southern as well as other State in the Union. Northern Florida. A suggestion for a LYMAN PHELPS, shi[pping variety would be a peach S. H. GAITSKILL, looking and ripening like Waldo, but E. S. HUBBARD.

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Final Resolutions. RETURNING THANKS. The following resolutions were unanosity in furnishing such an admirable imously adopted: and beautifully decorated place in which Mr. President-Your committee on to hold our meetings, and in thoughtfinal resolutions beg leave to report: fully supplying stationery, badges, etc. Whereas. The Florida State HorticulWe shall always retain a pleasant memtural Society expected to hold its fourory of our visit to the Ancient City; teenth annual meeting at Jacksonville, that is ancient only in name and some but the great disaster which swept that of her buildings, I)ut is up-to-date in city on May 3 rendered it impracticable: everything that is generous, openand hearted and loyal. Whereas, The citizens of St. AngusResolved, That our thanks be extendtine not only opened their doors an( e( to the asenger departments of the pocketbooks to their stricken sister city, Plant System. Florida East Coast, Seabut offered to furnish housing and enboard Air lie and Georgia Southern tertainment for the expected guests & Florida Railroads, for their courteand, sies in extending a special rate to our Whereas, The Florida State HortiIII embers, which made it possible for a WherasTheFloida tat Hoti~larg-e number of them to attend. cultural Society has just completed one of its most pleasant and profitable sesResolved, That the thanks of our Sosions within the walls of St. Augustine: ciety be extended to the St. Augustine therefore, be it & South Beach Railway Company for their courtesy, which added greatly to Resolved, hatthe pleasure of the Society ; to the ladies our stricken metropolis our heartfelt for their enjoyable and pleasant recepsympathy in her hour of trouble, and tion in Fort Marion, and the promenade hope that she may soon rise from her concert on the Plaza to the hotels which ashes, a more beautiful, prosperous an( reduced their charges, and to the Hishappy city; and that we appreciate the torical Soeiet and the Institute for the courtesy extendled to us fully as much trclSieyanth siuefote Deaf and Blind for their invitations. as though we had participated in her Respectfully, well-known hospitality. Resolved, That the Society return its E. 0. PAINTER, hearty thanks to the good people of St. GEo. W. ADAMS, Augustine for their unbounded generE. V. BLACKMAN.

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140 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR THE FLORIDA STATE FAIR. The following resolutions, offered by palling calamity that has befallen the S. H. Gaitskill, were adopted: metropolis of our fair State, the reTo the respective branches of the sources of the city of Jacksonville will State Legislature of the State of Florhe taxed to their utmost in their own ida: The Florida State Horticultural recoupment; therefore be it Society, now in session in the city of St. Augustine, in token of its high appreriesolvedu, That the Florida State ciation of the value to all the material Horticultural Society respectfully and interests of the entire State of the Florearnestly urge upon the State Legislaida State Fair, to be held within the ture the passage of the hill appropriatState during the present year, and realing the sum of $2,500 for the Florida izing that the time has arrived for the State Fair. successful holding of a modern State Resolved, That the Secretary be inFair, for the mutual benefit of the agristructed to forward at once to the Prescultural, horticultural and business and dent of the Senate and the Speaker of industrial welfare of all our people, and the House of the Florida State Legislarealizing that, in the presence of the apture copies of these resolutions. FOR THE PRESERVATION OF FORESTS. Resolved, That the subject of forestry operations, we strongly deprecate and merits the attention of the Legislature denounce the wholesale destruction of of Florida, and we recommend suitable very young trees by "boxing," as a legislation for the preservation of our reckless discounting of our resources, a forests from fire and reckless destrucneedless impoverishment of our posterition; and the establishing of a forestry ty, and a grave menace to the balance commission to suggest the necessary and equability of our climate. legislation to encourage the preservation Resolved, That the Legislature of of young trees, and to promote the Florida be urged to pass such laws, so reforestation of districts from which far as they do not already exist, as shall the timber has been stripped off, to proenable counties, cities and towns to give mote the propagation of valuable speproper protection to shade and ornacies and other matters relating to the mental trees, and to punish all persons preservation and care of our forests who shall wantonly destroy or injure Resolved, That while we recognize them. the necessity of legitimate naval stores

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Necrology. WILLIAM H. BIGELOW, JR. practical husbandry. He had improved of Tarpon Springs, (lied on December the orange grove and peach orchard 19, 1900. He was born in Sioux City, surrounding his home, planted new vaIowa, July 22, 1861, of the best New rieties of fruit and shade trees, and the England ancestry. While still a last few months had become much inyouth he spent two years in Europe, terested in planting and protecting a studying one year in Paris. After repinery. turning to this country he studied at Always fond of reading and study, he Easthampton, Mass., and at the famous had devoted much time to the invesHopkins Grammar School in New Hatigation of subjects connected with his ven. chosen pursuits. After the death of an older brother in For the purpose of gathering guano New York city he came South with his he had constructed at various points on younger brother, who was obliged to the Gulf bird rookeries, affording a change residence on account of ill resting place for large numbers of corhealth. morants and other seabirds. Mr. BigeComing to Tarpon Springs, he was at low paid these rookeries periodical visonce attracted by the natural beauty its, using the product for fertilizing purand the genial climate of the place. Afposes. It is believed that the accident ter a few weeks a residence on the beauwhich caused his death was due to a tiful bayou was purchased, to which he heavy wind which had suddenly risen. brought his bride in October, 1893. In Although he was an expert sailor, his spite of repeated freezes and discourhoat becoming unmanageable, both he agements, Mr. Bigelow bravely pushed and the man with him were drowned by forward his attempt to make a valuable the sinking of the boat. and attractive Southern home. After three (lays the body was recovQuiet, conservative, yet persistent, he ered and taken to Brattleboro, Vermont, was a model of honest industry and for burial.

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FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 1901.