Florida quarterly bulletin of the Agricultural Department

A~j&Y WtA!:t~h ~aTjNfl


VOLUME 22


NUMBER 2


FLORIDA



QUARTERLY


BULLETIN

OF THE

AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT



APRIL 1, 1912 .,00


W. A. MCRAE

COMMITISSIONEIZ. OF AG RICULTURE TALLAHASSEE, FLA.



Part 1-Artices on Sugar Manufacturiing, Nursery Stock
Law, 11oultry Roaising and the Growing of Various
Ciops in Florida.
Part 2- r'op .reages and Conditions. Part 3-Fertilizers, Feed Stuffs and Foods mid Drugs. Fintered January 31,1903, at Tailahassee Florida, as second-class matter
under Act of congresss of June, 1900.

THESE BULLETINS ARE ISSUED FREE 1O THOSE REQUESTING IHEM


T. J. APPLEYA RD. State Printer
Tallahassee. Fla.


1::1z -











COUNTY MAP OF STATE OF FLORIDA



























P-ART 1.

ARTICLES ON SUGAR MANUFACTURING, NURSERY STOCK LAW, POULTRY RAISING
AND THE GROWING OF VARIOUS
CROPS N FLORIDA.














Ti[ POSSIBILITIES OF SUGAR PRODUCTION IN FLORIDA.


By R. E. ROSE,
State Chemist.

Preface.
The constantly growing demand for information and literature on the subject of cane growing and sugar manufaclure in Florida, particularly since the widespread interest on the subject caused by the State's undertaking the drainage of the Everglades, has induced me to re-publish this pamphlet, "The Possibilities of Sugar Production in Florida."
There are a few facts not generally known that should bie staled as a preface.
The general conditions are the same now as when the pamphlet was published in 1900. The increase in consumption has continued, while the price of sugar and syrup has materially advanced, with every indication that they will not again decline, but will continue to advance as the consumption increases, the consumption per capita being 83.00 pounds, against 65.5 pounds in 1900.
Machinery has advanced in price. At the same time it has been improved, and processes made more economical, thus reducing the cost of manufacture.
This applies not only t() the factory, but to the field. I improved implements for cultivating and harvesting the 'top have materially reduced the cost of production.
Sugar cane is successfully grown in all the counties of Florida and those of South Georgia and Alabama.
It is successfully and profitably cultivated one hunlh'ed miles north of the Gulf of Mexico.
While cane is a tropical plant and obtains full maturity only in those regions where frost is practically unknown, it is profitably produced in the Southern portion











of the Temperate Zone-as in Southern Louisiana, Georgia and Alabama and North Florida, where for nine months there are no frosts. Full maturity demands twelve months' freedom from frost.
South of the twenty-seventh parallel in Florida cane reaches its full maturity-annually-as is evidenced by its forming "tassels" or seed arrows, a condition only possible when the plant is fully mature.
However, the largest acreage and most numerous fields of sugar cane in Florida are found in the northern counties-the agricultural counties-where corn, cotton, sugar cane and dairy farms predominate, as distinguished from the southern or peninsular counties, where citrus fruits, early vegetables (trucking) and pineapple growing are the principal occupations.
While vast sugar plantations formerly existed-"before the var" -on the Halifax River, in Volusia County; on the Manatee River, in Manatee County; on the Homosassa River, in Citrus County, the industry has been abandoned for the more fascinating orange grove and truck farm.
The soil best adapted to cane is well drained, low hammock, swamp, or bottom land, though fine crops are grown on high, I-oling laids. Still !)0 per cent of the cane grown in Florida or Louisiana is grown on welldrained, rich, bottom lani,- cypress swamps ;1(nd re claimed marshes.
No heavier crops, nor richer cane has been produced in any country iban has been grown on the reclaimed (drained) saw grass marsh lands of Florida; lands idenical in every way, physically and chemically, to lhe saw grass muck lands of the Everglades.
These lands, the Everglades, when properly- and perfectly drained, will produce maximum crops of sugar cane at minimum cost.
The soil of the "Everglades" is similar in composition to the marsh and swamp lands of Southwest Louisiana-




































No. I-Cane Cutting at St. Cloud, Florida, 1888-9. Reclaimed Muck Land, six to eight feet deep, formerly covered with water. Yield 60 tons per acre. Photo by Havens.












in the Parishes of Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. Mary and other Parishes-where vast areas of overflowed marshes and swamps have been reclaimed by canals, levees, or ditches, and by a system of drainage pumps similar to those used in Holland. Vast areas of these Louisiana swam) lands are now cultivated in sugar cane and rice. The Everglades are similar, physically and chemically. They, however, have a greater altitude, being from eight to twenty -one feet above tide level, while a large part of the reclaimed lands of Southwest Louisiana are but little above tidal overflow, and all of them below the high water level of fhe Mississippi Rliver, requiring levees and pumps to insure drainage and immunuiv from overflow by floods in the Mississippi.
The Everglades can, and will, be drained by gravityonly requiring canals sufficient in number and size to carry off lhe rain water from a comparatively small water shed.
The lowering of Lake Okeechobee b, canals to tide water in the (ulf and Atlantic. of greater cross-section than the sireamus flowing into ilie lake, will not only prevent ovrtlow from the lake, but will provide means for the land owners adjacent lo the canals to drain their fields iiilo ilie canals by proper laterals and field ditches.
It is not contemplated tihat the State canals will drain the adjacent fields, but- that they will provide an outlet for Ilhe waters of the lateral canals and field ditches, constructed by tie land owners.
When this vast area of wonderfully fertile soil is properly reclaimed by the State canals and the necessary laterals constructed 1 the land owners, no more productive sugar fields can be found in this or aiN- other country. Fields which when properly drained and intelligently cultivated will produce maximum corps of sugar cane, rice and corn at a minimum cost of production.
Dr. H. W. Wiley, late chief chemist of the United States I)epartment of Agriculture, in his report on these











lands, published in the Report of the Secretary of -\gPi culture for 1891, says:
"In this region the sugar cane is absolutely
iree from any danger of frost, although occasionally light frosts have been known to injure
more delicate plants.
"It way be said then, with confidence, that in
the region of Lake Okeechobee the lands that may be recovered for sugar-making purposes have
all the advantages of the climate of Cuba.
"The manufacture of sugar from the cane in
this region may be postponed with perfect safety until the beginning of February, and the months of February, March and April will be of greatest activity in sugar manufacture.
"Another important consideration in connection with the muck lands of the Okeechobee country is found in the method contemplated for their cultivation. These lands will be intersected by numerous drainage, canals, and by means of these canals not only can the land be cultivated b from steam engines carried on boats in the canals themselves, but also the products of the fields can be transported on the same canal, with an economy which will render the competition of inule or horsepower methods of cultivation almost impose
sible.
"Competent engineers have made estinmtes
for the actual cost of steam cultivation on the canal system indicated above, and, allowing for all contingencies for unexpected expense, it appears reasonable to say that, with the yield of cane which can be secured on such lands, it will be possible to place the cane at the doors of the factories by means of a system of canals used in irrigation and cultivation at an expense which will fall below $2.00 per ton. This expense in-











eludes all the cost of cultihation, harvest no: anJ
( ralispork ltion.
"II is lot 11 ecessar1. 1(; 11. veil .poll the fact
t lii wih calle piodciled Ilti )l such li cost, even the Island of Cuba could not co(11 ete with Flor id;l in the production of sugar. There is praelically no other body of land in the world which presenils such possibilities of development as the muck lands bordering the soul hen shores of Lake Okeechobee. With a depth of soil averaging, perhaps, eight feet, and extent of nearly a half million acres, with a surface almost level, it affords promise of development which reaches beyond the limits of prophecy."
Dr. Wiley's conception of steam plows in the Glades in 1891--twenty years agowas based upon the successful use of steam apparatus in cane culture at that date. The gasoline motor was then practically unknown. Today the gasoline excavator and "tractor" are successfully used on these lands, while the "cane loader," operated by the gas motor, has reduced the cost of harvest more than half. mechanicalal loaders are now the rule in Louisiana. The cost of cane production under efficient and economical conditions has been reduced to $1.50 per ton, or l.'s. on all fields large enough to economically employ Ihe "tractor" and "loader." Should Dr. Wiley now visit the Glades h would see his prediction of 1891 practically fulfilled.
fit the ,nea'time the small farmer will continue to produce crops or superior sugar cane in the other parts of the State, particularly the northern count ies, where the conditions are such as to Imake the manufacture of choice table syrup more profitable than sugar-making.
When central neighborhood factories are established similar ,o the central creameries of The West, where expert s,' yrup makers, with improved apparatus, will handle the crops of the neighborhood-thus l)roducing 50 per cent












10


more syrup, or sugar, from each ton of cane of a superior, uniform quality-the business will become one of the most profitable and reliable in the State.
Any soil in Florida that will produce a fair crop of corn will produce a corresponding crop of sugar cane.
A while frost does not injure sugar cane. On the contrary it checks its growth and hastens maturity. A freeze kills the "buds," or eyes, and destroys the germinating qualityl hence frozen cane is unfit for "seed" (cuttings). Frosted cane will make good syrup or sugar if it be "made up" before the cane ferments.
In the northern counties ol' Florida seed cane is )reserved by "bedding," "lmat-layin" or "windrowing." \hen lirolerly wiindrowed cane is readily kept in good condition for planting, or Ihe factory, for months. Thousands of acres are thus preserrved in perfect condition for the fialtrv in Laouisiana, Souih Georgia and Alabama.
The report of f ie Commissioner of Agriculture for 191(0 shows flhat can( culture is well distributed over the State. vith l far lIhe largest acreage in l he northern counties in the following order:


Jacl(s' ; . . Leon . Jefferson . Hamilton .
Bradford . Suwannee . Colum bii . M adison . Washington . Hillsborou.h . P olk . D uval . DeSoto . L il erly . Holm es . Santa Rosa . Calhoun . L evy . W alton .


'eves


S t lt rer. . S 1111 ter . . Escambia . St. Johns
A lachua . Pahet . . ('la . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hornando . Taylor . Franlin . Volusia . MIarin . L ake . Lafayw tIe . O ran,- , . St. Lucie . Brevwl d . Palm Beach .


Siadsden 'ountv, though amnog the largest pro(lhicers,


.71 Acres. t67 " 167 "
. 37 117 116 92
74

67 66

46 46 . 22
17 iil






































Japanese Sugar Cane, on Farm of C. E. Pleas, Chipley, Florida.
Courtesy of Southern Ruralist, Atlanta, Ga.












with a number of steam factories, makes no report. No reports are made for Citrus, Dade, Gadsden, Lee. Monroe, Nassau, Osceola. Pasco and Putnam, in all of which there are considerable aceages planted in cane.
Southern counties have generally neglected to report their cane crops. The t(tal acreage for the State reported in 1910 was 7,522 acres-valued at $791,172.00, or $105 per acre. It will be noted that more than half this acreage was produced in the northern tier of counties. It is safe to say that, using better machinery, mills and evaporators, this value could readily have been increased 50 per cent, or to $150.00 per acre.
With a modern central sugar, or syrup, factory, simitar to the beet factories of the West, the value of the product would have been at least double, or $200.00 per tcre.
There is no agricullural product more staple than sugar-no crop more certain to produce a fair return. A total failure of a cane crop has never been recorded. The price fluctuates less than that of any other staple. Sugar, formerly a luxury, is now recognized as a necessity.
Varieties: The principal varieties are the Burbon .led or Purple) ; the Red and Yellow Ribbon; the Green, or Simpson, and the Crystaline-probably the parent of all the above except the Simpson. A number of new seedling varieties have been recently propagated by the Louisiana Experiment Station. Among them 1) 74 and 1) 95 are a vast improvement on the older kinds. Parties interested in the subject should write the Louisiana Sutgar Experiment Station for bulletins and other information.
A distinct variety, the Japanese (ane, introduced from Louisiana by the U. S. Experiment Station in 1885-9, is a first-class syrup cane and a wonderful forage plant. It is practically a perennial in Florida. Once established it will re-produce itself from the roots annually. It will withstand ten degrees more frost than ordinary cane, and reproduce itself the following season. Bulletin No. 105, of











the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, in Gainesville, Florida, on "Japanese Cane for Forage," by Prof. John W. Scott, gives much valuable information regarding this variety.
Persons desiring more information oil the subject of cane culture, sugar and syrup nmufacture should write the United States I)epartment of Agriculture for its various publications on the subject, particularly Bulletins of the Chemical I)ivision-Nos. 70 and 75-on the "Manufacture of Syrup From Cane." Also for Farmers' Bulletin No. 1831-Sorghum Syrup Manufacture. The rules and processes therein are equally applicable to cane syrup. Also obtain the various bulletins of the Louisiana Sugar Experiment Station at Audubon Park, Louisiana, on cane culture and sugar manufacture, and particularly Bulletin No. 129 of the Louisiana Station on "Syrup Making," by Prof. H. P. Agee.
The "Louisiana Planter and Sugar Manufacturer," published in New Orleans, is recognized as the leading exponent of cane culture and sugar manufacture in America. In its columns will be found the advertisements of the leading manufacturers of sugar machinery and plantation supplies.




















THE POSSIBILITIES OF SUGAR PRODUCTION IN FLORIDA.



Before entering upon the subject, "The Possibilities of Sugar Growing and Manufacture in Florida," it is well to examine the business from a national standpoint, that we may appreciate the demand for the article and the amount annually imported to meet this demand. The American people are the greatest consoiners of sug-r in lie world. Our market for foreign sugar is acknowledged to be the best known. We import annually practically Iivc thousand million pounds, or 2,500,000 tons. The actmol figures for 1897 were 4,918,905,733 pounds imported, tihe per capila consumption for the same year being (4. pounds.
Sugar is the only agricultural product which the I'nited States imports. Of all other crops we export enorinous quantities. We have an enormous surplus of' wheat, corn, animal product, tobacco and cotton. Few realize how large a part of our exports is required to pay for the sugar we import. No two articles exported-except cotton-exceed in value the sugar imported. Our eiormms exports of wheat--$59,920,000-pay lit little more than half our sugar bill; our tobacco exported--$24,711,000less than one,fourth, while all the animals-cattle, ho-s. mules, sheep and poultry-exported pay less than halt' the amount paid for sugar imported.
Recently the production of American sugar has been
2-R.












near v doubled 1b- , vh esiablishnment of the beet-sugar indust iy in hw West and North. Vast sums have been exlpcndeJ ;u V i iigan, New York, Kansas, CalifOl*i., Washing tn 11mid oei localities. Still, with all these resom'ce , lhe 17nited Stites p roduces less tin 16 per cent Of the ;Imm 1 I (llSUlllle(d within her borders.
Thle aii-C. e prii ce ()f "Standard A" sugar for the fen

years ending in 1I,-!17 has been 5.04 cents per pound; the hioahest in 1:-s,, 7.59 c .is: the lowest in 1894, 4 cens per poud. No artilt'e oI' ge.1eral consumption tuetuates less in pritc, hninn does sugar. It will be noted also that during the yea,'s 1 ,"S 188.11 1n 1890, when raw sugar was "free" with i "bounl ' v' to -American producers"' and a "tariff m retiiw'' -omt's i" lhe p-ice was from i to 7.59 cents per pomid. A. condition to be expected with "free raw material' ad a "proljeve lariff" on the -finished article," be it sugar, irou. leather or cloth. Sugar is now. and has been lot sonie tine, 5, cents per pound for "Standard A." \ith the assistance of the "American sugar refineries," I have no doubt that price will be maintained and most likely increased.
The 'el.el tstslony o)f 'Henry 0. ilaveiueyer, l)resident of the American Sutar iTefining Company, of J. N. Jarvie, ,of Artiw'cles & Biro., and of John 1H. Post, of the Mullenihauer, and Ihe National Sugar Company, before the Industrial Commission, tlirows considerable light on the quesIion oIf sugar growiitg and sugar refining in the United States.
-Mr. Post's declaration that "free sugar from Cuba would wipe olt American raw sugar, both beet and cane," is ceItaiil \-ue. However, lie did not say what effect it w(1l1 have on tihe refined article.
In 1: 5 88 1 1Sn!), under the "bounty law" with free sugar. the price of -Standard A" sugar averaged 6.69 and 7.,50 cenis per otud, though raw sugar was imported free, and umie lInt high-grade domestic sugar received a bounty.












That the price of yefined sugar to tle American public ,ould he at all reduced ry yhe i poriation of raw sugar I'lee ol duty is not i, be expected. judging from past ,,ien('itce. 11' relned her sugar (which she (ot iw ), ;Ili]d it was imported free of iunty, sugar would cert:inlY tlo cieap eitl. This. howcveV, is not Mie policy (or usiit.s of the Atoev.nn reotners. Ie lhey in the Trusi or iid; .eilent.
Ti businye, is to buy raw s :i thea p and soll it
!elilwd ,o r all h(.o in get for it. There is now a dili V
0.!15 ( 1-lits on 'Vw ' and 1.5 ceats on1l relined goods.
Sit" n of n t't added t) refined sugar and
a 'rtl! adyio of a "coantervailing'" duly equal to the 11111 ll iij hliuty paid by :iiny eoultiv exporrtinlg suga to tile Uitited States.
To read the ftestimm ohe woull imagine that but cent duty was collected, when in fact practically 2 cents per potnd me cllec ted, affording a revenue for nearly I 00, l )( 00,O00.
Free raw sugar I'runi Cuba will benefit no one but the 'eliintvs. It will ,destroy the American raw-sug:ir indusIiv, an. iiidustp now of little imlnlotaice, as raw sug,-ar is not valuab le in Aneriet, except to elnes, who dM' wish 1) enCol rage tlie growing of sugar ill tile lnitecl States, kitowing tin the grower wx ill soon discover (as he has done in luu isiana) that by uning modern methods, Ite hinprovemenls in manipulation, wvilh economical and aoIir-s:5viag devicsl he tan for less cost make more refined sugar from his cne lhnu lie could fo irnierly malkn,(e i raw mgar, ond sell it diriet to the consluier at prices 25 to 5(0 teai more l(ke llie ian now get i'er hiis paw, product d,&liVed at a reinery.
There is a considerable a1mun of humibug and myslery c mixed up ih Ii this yelning business. (hemisfs and expet'is look wise and talk about "gl ose, ' sucrose," ,in("I alp,*' "C*elflicients.' polariseope tesis."' "Beaunie'" and 'hr'ix" simply to confuse the public. The facts are












that a modern central mill can take the cane direct from the farmer, and, by a no means expensive or difficult process! thoroughly purify the juice, and make a standard article of granulated sugar, ready for the table, equal to any, at a less cost than can the farmer make a brown sugar with his crude and wasteful apparatus and methods.
At the same time this modern central mill will double the output of gralulaled sugar from each ton of cane, as compared to output of the open-kettle or steam train.
The beet-sugar manufacturer has recognized that fact, and uses none but the latest-improved apparatus, and makes none but refined sugar. Ile is independent of the refiner and sells direct to the trade.
Louisiana is rapidly learning this lesson, and is now Iilding numerou- central mills or refineries to make refined sugar only.
When Florida, with her superior climate and soil, builds central mills or refineries, she can make sugar at a profit in spite of free raw sugar from Cuba, as she will have the assistance or the Sugar Trust and the beet-sug-ar grower in maintaining the price of refined sugar.
In other words, there is a large profit in ]aanufacting a finished article(ride the Sug:ar Trust), while a raw product finds slow sale at reduced prices.
Florida can make more refined sugar direct from the cane, for less cost per pound, than she at present makes raw sugar; she can increase the yield fully 50 per cent per ton of cane over present conditions, and increase the value per pound fully 30 per cent. This is but a matter of education-when our farmers begin to think and then combine their practical knowledge and labor with capital and skill now seeking profitable employment, the question of the American supply of sugar will be solved by the cane belt of the United States making the necessary amount to supply the demand.
The beet grower will soon discover that he cannot compete with cane, and will naturally gravitate into the












cane belt, where his profits will be greater and his crops more certain.
I have recently been asked for a comparison of the cost of making raw and refined cane sugar, and the advisability of erecting small plants 1o make brown or raw sugar or syrup.
Local circumstances must, of course, govern all cases, hence a reply must be general in its nature. I will state that a modern, up-to-date factory, with all the latest laborsaving and economical devices, similar to those used by the best and most prominent cane and beet sugar growers, double or triple mills, bagasse burners, modern clarifiers, filters, multiple effects, centrifugals and granulators, will turn out a dry granulated sugar for 25 per cent less than in open-kettle or open steam-train factory can turn out brown sogar, and at the same time will increase the yield of sugar over the old open apparatus not less than 25 per cent from the same quantity and quality of cane, while the product will readily sell at any part of the United States for 50 per cent greater price than raw sugar.
A factory to turn out 50,)00 pounds of granulated sugar per day can be erected in Florida for $200,000. Allowi4i- ieu raw material (cane or syrup) to cost 50 pet cent oft the selling price of sugar, 50,000 pounds will pay the grower MI.4. cost of manufacture (75 cents per 100 pounds), 5275; net profits (if factory per day, $869; gross daily prceeds, S2,687.
'h'liese figures are based on present prices of sugar-i. e. 5 c 8'ents for standard g-ranulated. The factory should run 1NO days. showing a net profit of "$6.900 per season. Such a factory will require 300 tons of cane (or its equivaleu iii s yrup per day, and will consume the product of siome 1,500 acres of average Florida cane. There is not a town or village in the State, from Pensacola to Jacksonville, or from Jacksonville to Tampa or Miami, that cannot furnish within a short distance twice












the required acreage for such a mill. A thousand such mills would be required to pro(Ice the 5,000,000,000 pounds imported annually (in 189I7 we imported 4.91 ". M505733 pounds).

An open steam-train factory, to make brown sugar and syrup, handling say 100 tons (or five acres) per day, can be erected comliiete for $20,000 to $25,000, tie yield per tone of slgar cane will mt exceed 140 pounds of sugar. while the cost of lnanufaclure will not be less t an 1 cent per pound of sugar. )eduet ing the grower's half at 41 cents, $.15 for raw sugar (obtainable "nl in Nw York, Philadelphia, New ()rieans or oIter cities where refineries are locked), and the cost ot nlaill Ufatcture, i140. a net prm,,it r Q17 a day is shown. A season of sixty days is all such a fai!oryv call depend upon. or ,I ;t ne fo[ tIle season.
The nodein tacyo' will make 711 pounds granulnOed sugar per twn (it cane, pay t]ho tar'oer &56t.I ( pl'I 01 ll nev the factory 8329 per Ion of cane. The "open 1o11)5" wili pay the t' iner - 3.15 per ton and ite( Ihe factory 1.75 per ton 0f cane. The pr oduct of lie (o(ii house will fid a iWtIy sale wherever o teve,1. The o]len-l onse sugar c:ll oil he sold i) i refinery ': the American public wvill use n1,ne but IltI best granulaed supar.
The following' letters froui Paul I )upV, a liaC tical Doisiana sugar planter and manufacturer', of 1hiriy-live years' successful experience in that Siate, and from Prof. William C. Stubbs, Ph.D., director of the Louisiana Sugar Experiment Station. fully sustain the position held by myself for years as to the adaptability of the soil and climate of Florida for profitable sugar growing and ianufacture. )octor Stubbs is plroba)ly correct as to having analyzed the first Georggia canes. 1, however, published in 180 the first series of analyses of Florida canes, and have at divers times since. I am particularly gratified to have Mr. I)upuy, a practical planter, and Doctor Stubbs, the most emiment authority on sugar growing and




































No. 3--Sugar Mill at St. Cloud, Florida, 1888-9. Capacity 400 tons cane or 70,000 lbs. granulated sugar per day. Photo by Havens.












manufacture in the United States, so positively and unequivocablv endorse the position I have maintained almost single handed for years. It now remains for our farmers and capitalists to unite (co-operate), and deVelop an industry which has no superior in stability and regularity of crops, that is immensely profitable to grower and manufacturer, and for the product of which there is an enormous demand at home. Twenty-five per cent of the sum invested in our palatial hotels would pay larger profits directly, and indirectly add large sums to the annual profits of our transportation lines, at the same time increasing the weallh of the people in the State, adding enormously to our population, enhancing the value of our farms, and making Florida the wealthiest agricultural Stale in the Union:

"SAN ANTONIo, FLA., l)ecember :,1. 1899. "Captaina Rose.
"DAR Sin: I enclose you a letter from Professor Stubbs. which please return. Coming from such an unquestionable anuhorit*v, it seems that there should no longer be any doubt on the subject.
"It is ceitlainly a foollh'ady undertaking to continue 1.imn4 )1) grow oranges, vegetables and other tender stuff in Florida. Sugar, wil the facts set forth ii ihis letter, offers ab, ilt iie only agricultural product that Florida (a n t( . I ain smprised at Mr. Stubbs' statement in regar(l l the productiveness of these lands, but the statemleld cannot be ('ontr(,verted, and imiust be accepted. The lead lug question is not so much :Is to how much can be made per acre, but how much per ]land. The fact that laroe aiimounts were realized on oranges has proved ruin()us to Florida.
-It does seem that prosperity can only be attained by gri( vin a staple. The attempts with fires and tents and houses over orange groves can only lead to further disaster.












�l ly own observations are that pine-land cane is richer in juice or sucrose than that grown on other lands.
"I have come to the conclusion that St. Cloud was no test. Bad management was perhaps more the cause of resuhls at St. Cloud than otherwise.
"If Florida does not engage in a staple industry the agricultural classes will go deeper into the mire. While heretofore I have doubted the capacity of Florida to produce sugar, this letter of Mr. Stubbs, coming as it does from one enlirel v disinterested, is conclusive. There should no longer be any hesilancy about promoting cane culture.
"Therefore, I will be glad to render what service I can to assist in promoting it. Orange culture has ruined all of us. PA IL T)UPUY.
-P. S. With a sucrose of 15 per cent and 7:3 per cent exlraction, with :m average of twent. tons per acre, with labor at $15 a iioith, and .$1.50 per eighteen hours in grinding, cane can be grown and converted into sugar at less than $30 labor cost. P. )."
(Wii above condilions, twenty tons per acre, 15 per cent sucrose and 75 per cent extraction, a .yield of 180 pounds per ton, o r 3,600 pounds per acre, should be had, or a total labor cost of less than 1 cent per pound.)

"Mr. Paul Dupuy, ASan Antonio. Fla.
MY I)Emt Sin: Your letter received and contents noted. ruling the lal ,cr part of October it was my privilege to visit southern Georgia and northern Florida, from Savannah around to Montgomery, Ala., and I was amazed to find the extent to which sugar cane was grown, and the quantity of syrup annually made for the market. What struck ie most was the inefficient work of the small horsemills and evaporators which the- were using in that section, and yet I was told by everybody that it paid them better to make syrup at 171 cents a gallon-extracting not one-half the juice from the cane, and evaporating












that to syrup without any chemicals whatever, and only by the crude process of skimming and heat-and that Ilhere was more money in it than in raising cotton or any other crop in (hlii section. 1 found crops varying in extent from one acue up, (4 151) acres. I spent sev-eral davs in the field and weighed ouite a number of areas -rowing in can-, and (o in y asi lnishinent found that the yields were from sixteen to thirty -five 1lns of cane. I also found out that. by tlh henii>' ,he horse-mills hat they hal. the exir: ction could uasilv he mad' as high as 60) per cent. Arjned with h is infforiiatiou I addressed largr oldies of farer's :11d lila 0li's and small glowr of cane al h,lii.ji t hat section, ,nd geot them interested in their' losses, wi~h the t'esai that week l'wror last- eleven) of' the ihinte.s :ind f',' , visild this st iion, and I intro dlne(d theml. around t our va1riols Sulnr houses and ]nducled themi inlo ihe improved mnthodis of' i day. This sired them )Il) \'er'v c'insidi'all ., and they N now realize that if under their lres'i0 nianagement 1theY can make a limit. there is i V c profit for them should they adopt iml'oved m(,ihods. Theie lands are poor, lit, by proper fertilizatio)n and roiialion of crops, they can le made produefive of good results. I may say. furtio., that their cane is inmsuall ric!h. I have juit finished analy zing another halch of nineteen varieties, gron all through that section, and all show a large superiority in sugar content to those grown upon alluvial soils. T have no hesitancy wlinfeve' in say-in --with Ilhe i r.,ent price of labor, (if land, flhe abulndani silly 1 dof fuct all I h)oug'h the coun try, the ab-ence (if levees. the absence of drainage, as long as the present price of sugar is maintained-that sugar growing and manufacturing upon a large scale in that section can be made profitable beyond a doubt. I have not seen the articles to which You refer, hut it is difficult to misrepresent the conditions of affairs there existing. And the curious thing, as you assert in your letter, is that they have never known that they were subjecting












themselves to such severe loss, and that they had such a superior cane, until my visit last October. I suppose that I analyzed, a few weeks ago, the very first canes analyzed in Georgia, and it was a revelation to them as well as to me.
"I shall be glad to give you any further information in my power. Very truly yours, "WT. C. STUBBS, Director." The report of Prof. Win. C. Stubbs, director of the Louisiana Sugar Experinment Station, on the analyses of some thirty-seven sami)les of Florida cane, certainly shows most conclusively the superiority of Florida's product. Taking the average of the thirty-seven samples, we lind the following result:
Sucrose . 15.04 per cent.
G lucose . 1.78 Coefficient of I .rity. 81.68
This is certainly a good average for the State. It means, with modern apparatus, a yield of 187.53 pounds of granulated or pure sugar per ton of cane. A fair average in Louisiana is 160 pounds.
This analysis also shows that the purple (red) and striped (ribbon) cane is far superior to the green in sugar content, and has nmuch less glucose in it; hence, is b all means to be pr,'lerred for sugar making-a fact long since discovered by Louisiana and South Georgia.
The thirteen samples of lmrple and striped cane show lie following average:
Sucrose . 17.12 per cent.
G lucose . 1.08 "
(oeficient of purity . 8S.02 "
or an available sugar content (with modern apparatus) of 204 pounds of pure sugar per ton of cane.
.It is not necessary to go into figures to show the superiority of the red over the green varieties.
In an open-system kettle or evaporator just one-half of the above results can be expected in raw or brown sugars.












It is needless to sa ' hat the modern apparatus is to be preferred, making refined goods direct from the cane. Louisiana has discovered this, and is rapidly discarding he open systemii for the close sysem. There are numbers of facto'ieje of the old yle thrown out and nowt offered at verv low tlill-es. Tliey .dIc dear at any price.
The sug r cane that will ]make 100 pounds of raw or brown sulgal and 10() pouids of iolasses by lhe old system will jul lie :200 pluds of lime whiie or granulated sugar in a)11 tol--dale vaC(llltlll or close s Ysteni with ioderni Selarators, fi IlIers, evaptorlatois, etc.
AlI the saille lime, w11 hile lie (lid sYs IeII will require 1lot less than three Cords of oed fol. (a1(h acel' of canw' or t(o ll 1aw sioat raw lie 10 derln all!p (lat ll1 viii requive' Ill) tol but t lhe pulp 01. lagasse.
It a(clll ' N -,ests more per pound to make nlu inferior bl'-Vb silgar iMi a relined while sugar. One yields one half lhe mniber of pounds of an inferior article of lit th value aod hald to dispose of; 1he other al i article alwa ys in demand alt ml(st profitable 1)1ices.
With a1 cane averaging as tle purple canes in Prof. Stubb's report averaged, sugar ('n be nanufaetured fo40 cents per 101) pounds. At twenty tons to the acre the 'ane lan 1w grown. harvested and delivered for $2 per til., leaking fie actual cost- of sugar (200. poundss pet ton olf cane) $1.40 per hundred pounds, or less than V- cents pe' l)ound. I have maintained that, tnder proper economical ilethods, witIi modern apparattus, first-class "Standard A" suo' c(ld h Ie grown and Ilanulfactured in Florida at a ploth, w'heni selling at 2 (el ei 1(eround. In addition 1) tihe foregoing testinion in sulstainin ilily position, I 11so (Ilote Mr. .1. S. Murray, a 11os- lr'ictical and success ful sugar --rower and manufacturer:
1Estiniape 1epar'ed by Mr. J. S. Murlay, former General Manage. Soledad Sugar Estate, Cuba.
"From reliable data, taken from actual work at the St. Cloud Sugar Factory, near Kissimmee, Fla., we have the










24

following result on 100 acres of land. thirty ions of cane per acre:

Preparnlion of soil at $2.50 peor nce. 250.00 ,5eed (ane. fouy ions per aore. S4 per tn . (:C00.00 Planting . . 250.00 Two weodinlgs . 200.00 Three po , s . . .00.00 Clen iin dli:he . 50.00 ITarvesting 3.000 tons cmie at $1 . . 000.0O Profit fi't yel. 2.4N0.00 Price of sugir 3(. pr 11). -$2.sO p er ton of ,-:me $5400.00 $,q,400.00 SS,.00

* * "There is reason to holievo that sonilh of the frost line as many crops can be iunde from on" plantin .is in Cnb, and that cone will rattoon for fr mf nine to ton years: that 2Wo m-eres of cane. properly (ared for nd Cv ltivated, will produce ,$S,000 net profiI per year"
It will be noted Ihe above figures are only from Ihe growers standpoint, the cost of the cane delivered a1 the mill being $1.906 per ton. The cost of seed cane and all charges are fixed at maxinrmn prices, with sugar far below present quotations. These figures were made some years ago and based on ninety-six test sugar, similar to that made in Cuba. The same quantify of standard granulated goods (less 4 per cent water) can be Imade from the same cane. On tle basis fixed "one-half the product" this cane wonld pay the grower $1.54 per ton (170 lbs.f@
5.3.5 cents--,9.0.) per ton of cane)
The same authority says:
'In Cuba, sugar can be, and has been, manufactured
ready for shipment at a cost of less than 30 cenis per 100 pounds. Labor and other conditions being nearly the same in Florida, there ar-e no reasons why sugar canot be manufactired for 40 cents per 100 pounds in Florida.
"In late years cane has been paid for delivered on the (a1s or alongside of cane carrier at prices based on the weight of juice in degrees B., increasing or decvelsing .5













cents per degree for each half cent per pound selling' price of sulgar.
'i'rin lhe preceding data we have

Niiic lhousald tons of en:1e (jlice, .A I1.). at $3.15 per ton . 8 50.0
Ma iafaitiring 1,530.000 I;, of .u fn:r at 40s. per 100 . G ,121.00
Profit . . . .1.,)0.00
(Oite millim five hlnired and thirly H11w-;1i( po II. S of slucar -it ,. Ier I . s73,760.00
$53.550.11' $7,3.55i.00

()n the basis of 800 acres, wilh 1 irly ' v tIons of (aie per acre, vieldiui, 170 pounds of sugar per ton--hy 1 1o tealls an unusual yield-at present prices (5.8"5 ,nts) T estimake 1h1 res'tl as follows:

9,(1() this of 'Ittle delivered at mill. $1.54 per Ion . $40860.00 Cost to ,row and deliver, $1.9) per ton . 17,640.00
(;rower's profit on 300 acres . $28.221).00
Profit per acre to grower. $77.00.
The factory account would stand thus:

9,001 tons of cane@9$4.54 . s(t.00 Manufacturing 1,530.00 lbs. sugarit40c. per 100 I's . . (0,120.00
Factories' profits . . 4.S75.00 1,530.000 11;s. of sugar at 5.35 cents . $81,S55.00 $&1,855.00 Sl.55.00

While Mr. Murray's estimate based ci raw sugar
shows a most profitable result to both grower and manufacturer, 1he product of refined goods for the American market is by far the most profitable to the American producer. On the rich alluvitI soils alluded to by Mr. Murray the yield of thirty tons per acre is not unusual ;yields of far greater tonnage have been frequentllv nmde. On good pine or sandy la1s yields of thiilv tons are 1)y no means uncommon. As stated by )r. SIubbs, sixteen to thirty tons were found in divers localities last year, cue of












the shortest years had in many. My general estimate of twenty tons per acre, with an average yield of 175 pounds per ton, with a manufacturing cost of not to exceed 75 cents per 100 lbs., I consider well within reasonable bounds. The area of lands suitable for cane culture is practically unlimited. There are few townships in the State not capable of furnishing a mill with a capacity of 5,000,000 to 10,000,000 pounds of sugar per season. While vast areas of hamniock and marl lands hre found from the St. Marys to Key West, from Pensacola to Jacksonville, linentlv suitable for the crop. The lands of north and iiiddle Florida are conceded to produce a superior cane to those heavy muck or alluvial lands of the lower peninsula. Their season is shorter and the crop has to be re)lanied oflener, though te li onnage is less.
It all of the counties of this State and in Southern heorgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana good crops of sugar cane are raised. Barring the great freeze of 1,SG, 1895 and 1899 no frost to materially damage cane has occurred in this State.
A white frost does not injure sugar cane. On the contrary, it causes it to ripen its juices and make better sug'ar. A killing frost destroys the "bud" and injures the cane for seed only. If properly windrowed immediately after freezing and before fermenting, such cane will miiake good sugar for some sixty days after windrowing. The freezes of 1886, 1895 and 1899 did not kill stubble or rattoons on well-drained lands in Florida.
In the northern counties, if seed is desired for spring planting, the cane should be "banked" or "matlaid" in November. In South Florida windrowing will answer the purpose. The best portion of the cane for seed is the immature top, with the leading eye or "bud." Fall plantilg is preferable in Florida, adding three months to growing season of the crop.
In cutting the cane it should be cut low, at or below i lie surface of the soil. Stubble projecting above the soil




































No. 4.-Sugarcane in Tassel. Marl Prairie Lands, Fellsmere, Florida.
Courtesy of East Coast Homeseeker









27

is apt to be injured by frost. Allow the trash or cane fodder to remain on the rows until spring opens. Wellcared-for stubble will rattoon for three years in most parts of this State: longer in the southern portion. Much depends upon the quality of the soil and the method of cnlI lire.
There are several popular kinds of cane. The "Otahite," or large green, is a favorite for use in small mills. It is easily crushed and yields well, and is the best for chewing. It is tender, and requires a long season. "Rod ribbon" is a favorite all-around cane for small mills. Hi 'attoons well, and makes a fine Yield of syrup. Ioar bon" or red cane is hardy, grows quickly, matures early, and lor the northern sections is the favorite. It is ver' hard and requires a powerful mill to extract its jnic,,,s. For South Florida the "Crystalline" is probably the best. It is a rank grower, fairly early, a first-class stubble cane, and niakes a good stand year after year.
Anly soil in Florida that will produce a fair crop of corn will make good sugar cane; the richer the better. Clay and marl suburbs are preferable, il' well drained. Flat pine land, with a clay subsoil, vell drained and feitilized, makes fine crops.
Nothing is better than "cow penning.'' On fair pine land, and medium hammock thirl 'y tons per acre are frequenly, v made the first and st'cold years 1fler "cow penling.' Cotton-seed meal, 500 to 1,000 po,,nds per acre, is a firs;t-class fertilizer, containing all of the necessary elemcnls in about the correct proport-ions. It should be applied one-half before planting and the balance during the second working.*
All low and flat lands must be thoroughly drained. Cane will grow in moist, but not in wet lands. Low

* Note-A better formula would be1200 pounds Cotton Seed Meal.
600 pounds 16% Acid Phosphate.
200 pounds 50%Sulphate of Potash.
Making a ton. Apply 500 to 1000 pounds per acre.











hammocks, swamps and saw-grass marshes, thoroughly drained, make the best of cane. If not drained perfectly a failure will result. The permanent "water table" should not be less than three feet below the surface of the soil.
That portion of the cane that has shed its blades is mature; in November one-half to two-thirds of the stalk, iu I)eceinber, four-fifths or more. For sugar making none but mature cane should be used (the tops can be used for seed). For syrup a part of the immature tops can be used, the glucose adding to the volume and preventing crystallization. Early ground cane makes the best syrup; late or mature cane the most sugar.
Small mills are wasteful and are not advised; better sell the cane to a custom mill. A well-built, horizontal. three-roll mill, powerfully constructed, driven by steam, to extract from 50 to 60 per cent of the total weight of the cane in juice, with boiler and engine, to grind 'orty tons of cane per day, with fire-heated evaporators, can be erected complete for about $3,000. This outfit is only suitable for making syrup arid dripped sugar. While a vast improvement on horse-mills and kettles, it is wasteful and comparatively expensive.
A double mill (six rollers), with steam train (evaporators), begasse furnace and centrifugals, to make a lightyellow, clarified sugar, with a capacity of sixty tons of cane per day (7,500 pounds sugar), will cost, approxi mately, $L5,000. These nills, while a vast improvement on present crude methods, and capable of vielding from 20 to 30 per cent greater product, with less labor and fuel, are still very wasteful in labor, fuel and cost of at (endance. However, they will pay large profits, as compared to other agricultural pursuits. Such mills will care for 100 to 200 acres.
A mill handling from 400 to 800 tons of cane per day requires no greater number of skilled employes, engineers, sugar makers, etc., uses little fuel, the waste of house










29

is reduced to a minimum, the extraction is practically perfect (SO to 82 per cent), practically no labor is required after the cane is placed on the carrier, the product is ready for immediate consumption. Such a house should make none but granulated sugars, at a cost not to exceed that of crude sugar or syrup, with a much greater yield.
TJhe plant is peculiarly robust and easily cared for, subject to few disasters. It will withstand degrees of drought or flood fatal to all other crop. No peculiar skill is required to cultivate it, as is the case with beets. After years of personal observation and having consulted large numbers (it' practical growers, I am justified in saying a total failtire ofi a cane crop has never been known. Any one who can raise Indian corn can make sugar cane. One imin (an easily attend twenty acres. While beets are a good co) for Kansas amd -Nebraska, there can be no comparisomn bei ween the results of sugar cane and beets in the Irolit able grow ing. aid manufact nre of sugar.
The cost of the manufacturing plant and the cost or manipulation are in favor of cane. he item of fuel (furnished by the -bagasse" from the cane) will alone pay a fair interest on the cost of the plant.
The risk in growing cane is reduced to a minimum. No one has ever heard of a total failure of a cane crop. Corn. wheat, oats, rice, cotton, and beets sometimes totally fail from drought, heat, rust, blight, or insect pests. Excepting from an overflow caused by a break in a levee, a cane crop was never lost entirely.
As to climate, Florida's climate is certainly superior to that of any other State for sugar growing. Our "rainy season" is during the growing months, when required. A wet fall or winter is the exception. A dry fall and winter insures the ripeness of the cane and a quick harvest ; a wet fall or winter (frequent in Louisiana) retards the ripening, and entails heavy expense for harvest. A ,killing" frost seldom occurs in Florida before January. Grinding begins October 15 in Louisiana, and seldom












before December 1 in Florida, insuring forty-five additional days for maturing the crop. In South Florida killing frosts are of rare occurrence, and grinding continues from December 15 to February. In tropical Florida.
south of the 27th parallel, frost to kill oranges, lemons, limes or tropical cane is unknown. The climate of West, North and Middle Florida has full thirty days longer orowing season than Louisiana, while South Florida has forty-five to sixty.
In tropical Florida the element of frost does not come into the calculations. Grinding may begin when the crop is ready and extend into the next growing season. As to quality of cane, little has been done in Florida to select or improve the plant; in fact, the poorest, short-jointed, stunted stubble is generally used for "seed," while the best and finest cane is worked up. The same varieties introduced by the Jesuits are still grown. This neglect of selecting seed cane, however, is not peculiar to Florida. The same careless methods prevail to a large extent in Louisiana and Cuba. Had the same care and scientific experimenting been practiced with cane as with beits during the last twenty years, the amount of sagar in the plant could have been largely increased ( though average tropical cine nov conluaines miuch niore sugar anid less iil pr'ities i ham the best varieties of beels).
The won derfil] recupecra live and reproductive p(oNwers of the ptl aie phenolnen al. With good soil and cI tire, womnderfull. 'ime cane, rich in suoar, vigorouis amid thrifty, is frequently -,rown from seed canes of the most worthless ,inalitv. Small, knotty, short-jointed stubble, the result of years of' neglect, when replanted in good soil and well cared for, have made crops of inmrense weight and laroe sugar content, with little impurities in the juice. No plant more quickly responds to generous treatment, and none will suffer greater neglect and still return a fair harvest than will tropical cane.
Much interest is now had in beet culture and sugar






































No. 2-Harvesting Cane at St. Cloud, Florida, 1888-9. Yield 6o tons per acre. Reclaimed Muck Land. Photo by Havens.












making in the West. Were it generally known that larger amounts of sugar can be made in Florida, at a much less cost per acre, with less labor, with but little skill required in growing, with far less capital required for machinery, and manufacturing, than in beet-sugar making, vast sums would be invested in the business. The location of central mills, at various parts of the State-near Quincy, Tallahassee, Madison, Lake City, Gainesville, Ocala, Leesburg, Brooksville, Lakeland, Plant City, Bartow, Fort Mead, Punta Gorda and Braidentown-could each afford a supply of cane for mills making each 5,000,000 or more pounds per annum. On the St. Johns River and East Coast, St. Augustine, HDestiiws De Leon Springs, Tomoka, Daytona, Port Orange, New Sirna and Titusville afford eQ(lally as fine opportunities for the establishment of central mills.
These mills or factories, purchasing their supplies from the farmer, can afford to p'y for the cane delivered, a price, equal to the sun now obtained for his crude syrup, now made in a crude and wasteful maner, saving the farmer the annoyance and cost of manufacture, and packages, and at Ilie same time make large profits on the capital invested.
Further south in Dade and Lee Counties, below the tweny-seventh parallel, where vast areas of rich land in large bodies can be had, the plantation or "gang-system" will prove most satisfactory, where the planter owns the factory and cultivates the cane also. This system is applicable only where Ihere is no probability of killing frost, where large fields can be safely allowed to stand till wanted b'y the mill. North of the twentyseventh parallel ihe central-factory system, similar to the beet-factory system of Germany,. Austria and the West, will be found most satisfactory. Where the acreage is made up by numerous small fields of ten to forty acres each, each farmer, in case of threatened freezing weather. can properly care for his crop by windrowing or mat













laying, as is now practiced in Georgia, Mississippi and frequently in Louisiana.
The crop can then be delivered as the factory requires it. This process of securing the crop adds but little to the cost and keeps Ihe cane perfectly for months. No silos or bills are required for cane as with beets. The delay caused by a cold snap seldom retards the work of sugar making to exceed three days.
I advocate the central-mill plan, purchasing cane from the farmers, that the best results may be had both in the field and in the factory, the farimer devoting his time, skill and labor to producing lhe largest possible crop of liglh-grade called, the miller to the most economical IetIhods of making the best sugar. each receiving the greatest rew ard possible for his skill in his particular line.
For technical daia, analyses and value of cane. I aim indebted to Dr. StUbbs; Professors Stockbridge, Kirehoff, Sutton and Wiley and Mr. J. P. Mnrra' as to the quality of lhe cane. I have lhe facts as to cost of cane from L. II. and V. J. White, James S. Murray, Paul Dupuy and numbers of others, together with ily own experience. The cost of manufacture cannot be disputed, as this factor is a fixed one.
Given ie cane of quality as state(l. with the price of sugar as now prevailing, and no agricultural and nanufacturer's business will compare to the growing of cane and manufacture of sugar in Florida.
R. E. RosE.
KissI m MEE, FLA., M ay 1. 190(1.















The Disston Sugar Plantation



Its Success and Its Failure.


It is frequently asked why the Disston Sugar venture on reclaimed lands in Florida failed and was abandoned. This query has been answered frequently in the press by citizens of Osceola Counts, who were familiar Willi all the pacts.
A short history of the St. Cloud sugar plantalion on the muck or swanp lands reclaimed by Ihe "l)isston )rainage Company" (The A. & G. C. & 0. Land Coin pany), in Osceola County, should be properly inserted here to correct the many erroneous and misleading reports as to the cause of the failure and abandonment of this enterprise aler several years of phenonienal successcess, both agriculturally and financially.
The lands on which the plantation was located were prior to the cutting of the drainage canals in 1SS4-a vast saw grass marsh, interspersed with cypress. gum, bay and willow swamps, with a muck or peat soil front four to ten feet deep. Before the drainage canals were cut the territory was constantly covered with water from one to three feet deep, in which grew the saw grass. flags, rushes, bonnets and other acqualic plants-a territory identical in every respect, chemically and physi cally, to the Everglades. The canals draining this ter ritory were finished in 1884-5. The general level of the lakes (Tohopekaliga and East Lake) was lowered eiglt feet by these canals. During 1885, the Writer, then in charge of the "Disston Drainage Company's works, purchased the original St. Cloud Plantation, some 420 acres.












In January, 1886, the first agricultural development was begun by cutting the necessary lateral and sub-lateral ditches to drain the fields adjacent to the canal. Though the waters of the lakes and canals were six to eight feet below the surface of the adjacent lands, the lands were still saturated with water, which could only be removed by field ditches, the lands having very little slope.
fn the spring of 1886 a small field of cane, some twenty acres, was planned: also seventy-five acres of rice and fifty acres of corn. All these crops were unusually productive, an average of fifty bushels of both rice and corn leiuo, harvested pier acre.
In the fall of 1886 and spring of 1887 the cane fields was increased to ninety acres.
In 1887 Mr. Hamilton Disston purchased one-half inlerest in the farm and furnished means to increase the acreage to 1,80(0 acres, all first-class muck, or reclaimed. land, and to erect the first sugar factory, as illustrated by cut No. 3. A small area of cane was harvested in 1887-S, yielding some 5,000 pounds of granulated sugar per acre. Most of the cane, however, was used for seed, there being 420 acres of cane on the farm in 1888-9, 100 acres Ratton and 320 acres Plant cane. The illustrations No. I and 2 show this cane on the best drained (highest) land on the plantation taken where the muck is six to eight feet deep, this cane averaging sixty tons per acre, with 14 per cent Sucrose.
These photos were taken by 0. Pierre Havens, of Jacksonville, in the winter of 1888-9.
A sugar mill with a capacity of 200 tons of cane per day (24 hours) was built. Some 90 acres were harvested the first year; the second year some 400 acres. None but first-class sugar was made. The yield averaged 35 tons of cane per acre (the maximum yield being 60 tons off the oldest, best drained cuts) the average sucrose











content was 14 per cent; the average available sugar was 8 per cent, or 160 pounds of granulated sugar per ton of cane, showing rather a poor result from the factory standpoint, the factory not having all the necessary modern economical devices. The yield, h,,-cl"c. sojnc 5,000 pounIds o.1 siqlar per acre, W as superior to an!y Ancrican record at) to that timnc. ])uring this 1iac sugar qold Ot
3.25c to 3.75c per pound, at no time reaching 4 cents.
Results were so satisfaclor'y that Mr. 1)isston proposed largely to increase the capital slock, and the area of the cane fields (then 6(00 acres).
He was largely influenced by the immense speculative interest in sugar production, aroused 1)y the "bounty law'" passed by Congress, paying 2c per pound to Ameri(an sugars. Millions of dollars were invested in Louisiana cane sugar and Western beet sugar production. An era of extravagance was inaugurated in Louisiana and in the beet-producing regions of the West. The St. Cloud Plantation was reorganized as the "Florida Sugar Manufacturing Company" and capitalized at $1,000,000, an expensive factory erected at a cost of $350,000, and a large area of lands purchased-some 36,000 acres. While the cane fields were not increased materiallh -at no time was there to exceed 1,000 acres in cane while the factory had a capacity of not less than 3,500 acres per season. When this reorganization occurred the Writer declined to join it, but sold his stock, believing, and as subsequent events )roved, that the "bounty law" would be repealed by the next Congress and the extravagant investments in cane and beet sugar would result in bankruptcy to the investors. This did occur, as anticipated. In the meantime, a bond issue of .$1,000,000 was made to pay for the lands purchased.
A capitalization of .$2,000,000 to be taken care of by a cane field of some 800 to 1,000 acres, extravagantly managed by inexperienced men, ignorant to a large extent











of agriculture, and particularly of drainage and modern methods of cane culture and sugar manufacture. St. Cloud, however, was by no means an exception. Hundreds of similar wrecks occurred in Louisiana and in the West. Wrecks of immense cane and beet sugar ventures were common throughout the country. During the bounty period granulated sugar sold for from 6.50 to 7.40 cents per pound, with an added 2 cents bounty (see the U. S. Agricultural Reports for these years.) The extravagance of management, however, absorbed not only the market price, but the bounty also, and left a large deficit in addition. While economically managed, large dividends were made, with sugar selling at 3.75c per pound, with a factory by no means most modern and economical: with an up-to-date factory, provided with all modern economic devices, with -lie same quality of cane, with sugar selling at 6.50 and 7.40 cents per pound, and an additional bounty of 2c per pound paid by the Government, a disastrous failure resulted.
This was not peculiar to Florida nor St. Cloud, as ihe same condition prevailed in Louisiana and in ihe West, where wrecks of similar ventures were numerous. The failure at St. Cloud was not caused by climate, soil, or quality of cane, as no richer cane, nor larger tonnage is made in Cuba than was made at St. Cloud and South Port-in the same count'v--on reclaimed muck land, and is still being made on the same and similar lands in the same locality. The failure was caused:
First-By extravagance.
Sccond-By ignorance of proper methods of culture and manufacture and neglect of drainage.
Third-By want of proper business methods on the part of the company and its managers.
R. E. ROSE,
Tallahassee, April 1912.














STATE NURSERY INSPECTION LAW OF FLORIDA.

E. W. [LR;IER, Ph. I). Previously Entomologist Fla. Agr.
Expt. Station.

INSPECTOR OF NURSERY STOCK

Chapter 6156, L v, s of Florida, 1911.
An Act to Proviide for lie Appoitintment of an InspeCtor of Nursery Stock, Prescribe His Term of Offlice :nd Salary, anl 1he Emplovnent of His Deputies and Assistants; to Make it the Duy v of the Board of Control to Make Rules and Regulatioils for the Inspection, Certification, Sale, Exchange, Transportation and Introduction of Nursery Stock Infested with Injuries Insects, Pests, or Diseases to Prevent the Tntroduction, Increase or Dissemination of Sai( Insects, Pests, or Diseases; to Provide that Said Rules and Regulations shall Prescribe Costs and Charges for Said Inspection and Certification; to Make it Unlawful to Knowingly Sell, E.change, Give Away, or Transport, or Offer or Attempt Thereto, in the State of Florida, any Nursery Stock, Trees, Shrubs, Plants, Vines, Cuttings, Scions, Grafts, Buds, Seeds, Pits, Bulbs, Roots, or Paris Thereof, Infested or Infected with Injurious Insects, Pests, or Diseases; to Provide Penalties for the Violation of This Act and Rules and Regulations Thereof: to Make an Appropriation to Carry Out the Provisions of This Act; and to Repeal All Laws or Parts Thereof Inconsistent Herewith.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
Section 1. That the Governor shall apl)oint some person qualified by training and experience as Inspector of











Nursery Stock to carry into effect the purpose of this Act. He shall hold office for a term of four years, and until his successor is appointed and qualified, and shall receive a salary of two thousand dollars per annum. He shall employ, subject to the approval of the Board of Control, such deputies and assistants as he may deem necessary. His olfice shall be in the State Experiment Stalion Building at Gainesville, Florida.
Section 2. That it shall be the duty of the Board of Control to make such just and( reasonable rules and regulations for the government of the inspection, certification, sale, exchange, transportation, and introduction of nursery stock, trees, shrubs, plants, vines, cuttings, scions, grafts, buds, seeds, pits, bulls, roots, or parts thereof, infested, or infected, or suspected of being infested or infected, with injurious insects or other plants pests, or injurious fungus, bacterial, or other plant diseases, as they maY deem necessary to prevent the introduction, increase or dissemination of said insects, pests and diseases.
Section 3. That said rules and regulations shall prescribe just and reasonable costs and charges to be borne by the owners of the properties inspected or certified, under the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations thereof.
Section 4. That it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to knowingly sell, exchange, give away, or transport, or offer or attemipt thereto, within the State of Florida, any nursery stock, trees, shrubs, plants, vines, cuttings, scions, grafts, buds, pits, bulbs, roots, or parts thereof, infested or infected with injurious insects or other pests, or injurious fungus, bacterial or other plant diseases.
Section 5. That any person, firm or corporation, who shall violate any provision of this Act, or any rule or regulation made in pursuance thereof, or who shall inter-













fere with said inspection of Nursery Stock, his deputies or assistants, in the execution thereof, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall !e punislhd I)3 a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or lIn imprisonment not exceeding six inonths, or both, in the ;iscretion of the court.
ect ion 6. That in order to carry out the purposes of iis Act,. the sum of three thousand dollars per annum, or :is much Ihereof as is actually necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, which sum shall be placed to ilie credit of the State Board of Education in the hands of the State Treasurer, to be expended by the Board of Control; Provided, that all costs and charges collected by said Inspector of Nursery Stock, and all fines from prosecution under this Act, shall be paid to the State Treasurer and by him placed to the credit. of said sum.
Section 7. That all laws or parts of laws inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.
Section S. That this Act shall go into effect imediatel.v upon its becoming a law.
Approved May 23, 1911.


RESOLUTION OF BOARD OF CONTROL.
Jacksonville, Fli., August 1, 1911.


Under the provisions of Chapter 6156, Laws of Florida, 1911, the Board of' Control considered the Rules and Regulations for Nursery Stock hereinafter set forth. The said Rules and Regulations were read section by section aind as a whole. On motion of Mr. Fleming, seconded by Mr. WVart-mann and unanimously carried, the Board of Control here)y makes, adopts and promulgates the following just and reasonable Rules and Regulations for the government of the inspection, certification, sale, exchange, transportation and introduction of nursery stock, trees,
4--Bull.













shrubs, plants, vines, cuttings, scions, grafts, buds, seeds, pits, bulbs, roots, or parts thereof, infested or infected, or suspected of being infested or infected with injurious insects or other plant pests, of injurious fungus, bacterial or other plant diseases; and the Board of Control hereby declares the said Rules and Regulations necessary to prevent the introduction, increase or dissemination of said insects, pests and diseases.


RULES AND REGULATIONS.


At a meeting of the Board of Control held at Jackson ville, Fla., on the first day of August, 1911, the said Board in pursuance of their duties and powers under Act approved May 23, 1911, Chapter 6156, Acts 1911, for the Inspection of Nursery Stock, considered and declared (lit the following insects, pests and diseases are especially injurious. It being expressly understood that the list is not final, and that the Boarld of Control shall exercise its judgment as to what other insects, pests or diseases shall be placed on the especially injurious lirt.

INSECTS

W' ITEFLIES
White-winged Whitefly (AleOrodcs itri). Citrius.
privet, chinaberry.
Cloudy-winged Whitelly (Aictarodes imbifera). Citrus.
Wooly Whitelly (Alcttrodcs howardii). Citrus. ScALu INSECTS
San Jose Scale (A spidiots perniciosits). Peach, plum,
apple, etc.
Cottony Cushion Scale (Iccrya ptrchasi). Citrus,
roses.
Citrus Mealy-bug (Pselldococcs citri). Citrus, croton.
pineapples.













FLIES
Mexican Orange Maggot, Morelos Fruit Worm (Anastrcpha (Trypeta) lidens). Citrus fruits.
Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Ceratitis capitata). Citrus
fruits.

BEETLES
Cotton Boll Maeevil ;iAnthronomous yran&dis). Cotton.
Mango Seed Weevil ('ryptorhynchis mangifera).
Mango fruit.

PESTS

Root-knot (Ilcterodcra radicicolaui. Peach, fig, grape,
vegetables.

DISEASES

BHight (Bacillus amylovoits). Apple, pear, loquat.
Crown Gall (Pscadomoats tuaefaciens). Apple, grape,
oleander, peach, pear, plum, rose.

Trhe Inspector of Nursery Stock, appointed by the Governor, is )r. 1. W. Berger, anl his office, as prescribed by law, is at lie Florida Agricultural Experiment Siation, Cainesville. All conuiialions regarding nursery inspecliom slmIld be addressed to him.
It was fordher considered and ordered thai a Nrsei'y Inspection Circular 1be printed containing a c opy of the law, these proceedings and lthe Rules and Regulations adopted, an iiat the same be furnished to the nursery inei of Florida, the transportation companies, the State l ress and ,thel's interested. Any additions or amendjuents to tlese Rules and Regulations are to be similarly lirinied and distributed.
The Inspector of Nursery Stock is authorized to have printed Nursery Inspection Circulars in sufficient num












bears to reach the nurserymen and Press of Florida and others interested, for the purpose of giving information pertinent to the operation of the Law and Rules .and Regulations, as contingencies may arise. The first cirCu lar of information shall he disriluted not later thin October 1, 1911.
The Inspectr of Nt-serY Stock is also autllorizr to make investigations pertaining ti insects, pests and dis eases, and remedial measures thereof, as will enable him to extend the knowledge thereof and to give Iie 1w. st sible service.
The accounting shall be done by the Auditor, nsing the same method as in the Departmens of the University.
In pursuance of Section 2 of the Act the Bonrd of Control deem it necessary in order to prevent the introduction, increase and dissemination of injurious insects, or other plant pests, and injurious fungus, bacterial or other plant diseases, to make and prescribe the following:

RULES ANI) REGULATIONS

1. No article or thing specified in the Act, grown within the Stale of Florida, shall be sold, exchanged, or given away, unless the same has been inspected and certified as apparently free from injurious insects, pests and diseases by the Inspector of Nursery Stock, and anything so sold, exchanged or given away shall be accompanied by a prescribed copy of said certificate. A nursery, or any of tme articles or things specified in the Act, may be inspected at any time, but all certificates issued shall expire on July 1, next thereafter.
2. All shipments of art ic les or things specified in said Act, and every package thereof, transported within, into or out of the State of Florida, shall be completely and securely boxed or covered to effectually prevent infestation or infection b. injurious insects, pests or diseases.











Carload shipments in bulk shall be in box cars with openings effectually screened or closed.
3.Alaticles or things specified in said Act, except those plants that will not stand defoliation, shall be cornplelely defoliated, including leaf-stalks; and all articles or things specified in said Act shall be handled in such manner that none of the leaves and clippings shall become mixed withi any packing material.
4. All apple, pear, plum and peach stock shall be fumigated with hydrocyanic acid gas immediately before being delivered for transportation.
5. All nurserymen shall have their fumigating box or house completed and in order, with necessary chemicals at hand, rcady to demonstrate their ability to effectually fumigate nursery stock, at the time of inspection. No certificate shall be issued until the fumigatingr facilities have been approved by the Inspector of Nursery Stock.
6. All shipments of articles or things specified in said Act, into the State of Florida, shall be defoliated and fumigated as provided in Rules 3 and 4 hereof and shall have securely and conspicuously attached to each and every p)ackac a certificate stating that the articles or things are apparently free from injurious insects, pests and diseases-, and have been defoliated and fumigrated. Said certificate shall have been issued by the proper GAoverment or State Official at point of shipment. Said certificates shall be prima facie evidence only of the facts therein stated and shall be disregarded by the Inspector of Nurser ' Stock whenever hie deems it advisable. Any such shipment not having a certificate atached may be transported within the State of Florida for purposes of inspection by writen order of the Inspector of Nursery Stock.
7. No person, firm or corporation shall transport within the State of Florida any article or thing specified in said Act unless the same be boxed or covered as pro-










vided in Rule 2 hereof and has attached the prescribed copy of certificate hereinafter provided.
8. Every shipment of articles or things specified in said Act, not having attached the certificate as provided in Rule 6 and Rule 7, and every shipment from foreign countries, including possessions of the United States, whe her the same have attached a certificate or not, brought into the State of Florida, shall be held by the person, firm or corporation transporting the same, and shall be delivered to no one save by order of the Inspector of Nursery Stock, who shall be notified within 24 hours after its coiiiing into Florida.
Au,i person, firm or corporation ililporting an.y article
()r thing sp ecified in this Act from any foreign country. including possessionis of the United States, shall give notice in writing to the Inspector of Nursery Stock at the time of making the order. This notice shall enumerate he articles or thing's to be imported and state the role over which the shipment is directed.
I9. All persons, firms or corporations selling articles or things specified in this Act, which are grown without the State, shall pay a fee of five dollars per annum and shall register with the Inspector of Nursery Stock, tile a certificate of inspection and receive a permit from the I sector of Nursery Stock to sell the articles or things specified in this Act.
10. All persons growing articles or things specified in this Act, within the State, for sale or exchange, shall reoisler their names with full description and location of their nurseries and stock with the Inspector of Nursery Stock on or before the first day of Julv in each and every year, and aply to him for inspection and certification. Any failui-e to so register and make application after 1911 shall reader such grower liable to delay in having the stock inspected during that year, and also render him liable to the penalties prescribed by law.










11. Any and all articles or things specified in this Act, whether in transit, or in hands of purchaser, shall be liable to inspection and stoppage in transit, regardless of whether they are certified or not, and if found infested or infected ,,hall be treated, deported or destroyed, upon the order of the Inspector of Nursery Stock, his deputies or assistants, at the expense of owner, consignor or consi gnee, oi, the Jpeison, firm or corporation transporting the same.
12. No certificate shall be issued until the articles or thiings specified in the Act have been inspected and found to be apparently free from injurious insects, pests and diseases, an(1 all requirements of law an(I these Rules and Reguilations are complied with. Should any injurious insects, pests or diseases be found, no certificate shall be given until the insects, pests or diseases have been effectually eradicated from the premises to the satisfaction of the Inspector of Nursery Stock. Neither shall any certificate be given when the nursery stock is exposed to infestation nor infection from injurious insects, pests and diseases that occur within one-fourth of a mile from where the nursery stock is growling; provided. however, thal a nurserviani may remove such stock under the immediate direction of the Inspector of Nursery Stock, his deputies or assistants, or after ihe insects, pests or diseases have been effectually eradicated from the infested or infected territory.
13. Any certificate ny be rev-oked for any* violation of the provisions, of the Act or these Rules and Regulations.
14. An inspection fee of five dollars for each nursery shall be charged, and a further fee of twenty-five cents shall be charged for each acre of nursery stock inspected. Each nurseryman shall reimburse the InsTPetor of Nursery Stock, his deputies or assistants, for his necessarlY traveling and maintenance expenses in making the inspeeC.










tions. No certificate shall be issued until these charges have been paid.
15. The Inspector of Nursery Stock shall on the last day of the month transmit to the Auditor all fees collected during the month.
16. The certificate shall be in the following general form:
The undersigned hereby certifies that he has this day personally inspected the .nursery stock in the nurseries of . located at. Florida. The stock and premises have been found to be apparently free from injurious insects, pests and diseases. Proper fumigation apparatus is possessed and correct practices are followed. The owner has agreed to completely defoliate and to properly fumigate with hydrocyanic acid gsall stock sipdunder this cetfctas provided in Iie Rules and Regulations.
This certificate applies only to stock inspected and expires on July 1, 191.

Inspector of Nursery Stock,
Gainesville, Florida.

As many officially signed certificates as may be needed to file withi State and Government Officials will be fur nished each nurseryman certified. Bunt each nurseryman must furnish the copies required to be attached to each shipment of stock.














THE SWEET POTATO CROP.
-BY
C. K. M'QUA!RIE, A assistant S perintendent, Farmers'
Itstitte. University of Florida.

The sweet potato crop holds an important place among the general farm crops of this State, being third in point of value (running a close race with cotton, which is second in the list). Its position is more important than cotton, as it is a maintenance crop and for the most part consumed at home and not subject to market fluctuations.
Because of its adaptibility to all sections of the State, the possibilities of this crop, from a money-making standpoint, are great. The present yield could be largely in creased by adopting improved methods of production. And if there is one crop more than any other that can be depended upon year in and year out with a large degree of certainty it is the sweet potato crop.
But to get maximum results and put this crop where it belongs as one of the best farm crops of the State, certain factors in crop production must be studied and acted upon. 'lese are: Its place in crop rotation, soil preparalion, the kind of fertilizer to be used, the quality of same, methods of application, planting, care of the crop when growing, the varieties best suited to the soil and to climatic and local conditions and methods of harvesting and care of the crop afterwards.

PLACE IN CROP ROTATION.

The sweet potato crop in the general rotation should follow a crop that puts humus and fertility in the soil. Humus enables the soil to store moisture, increases its temperature, furnishes a certain amount of plant food,










retards the loss of fertility by leaching, s tinulates chemical action, and fosters the bacterial life so essential to a large crop yield. Crops such as velvet beans, cowpeas, soy beans and begg-arweed are ideal for this purpose, for they not only increases the fertility of the soil by their ability to collect the free nitrogen of the air and store it on their roots in the foirm of nodules, hut lie plowing under of the aftermath of these crops puts hunius in the soil to keep the crop supplied with the needed moistnre while it is growing.
'"here any of these crops have been plowed under in the Tall and a winter cover crop, such as rye or oats, grown on the land (which is an excellent plant for conservation of moisture and fertility during the winter months), and these crol)S again plowed under in the green state early in spring, there will be ideal soil conditions for a lare crop of sweet potatoes. Some prefer lo let Mhe oat crop get to the dough stage and cut and eure it for hay and plow under the stubble. This is also an excellent method, unless in localities where it will be too late in the season before the oats are ready for cutting to be in time to plant the sweet potato crop.


PREPARATION OF TiE SOIL.

Plowing or breaking the land in the late fall for all spring-planted crops is the best method to pursue, for if we wait till spring the soil is apt to be too wet after the winter rains to do good work, and the vegetation and materials plowed under in the spring will not have time to rot and assimilate with the soil to form humus, and the soil will not have time to pack back and get into the mechanical condition necessary for success in crop production. Therefore we want to do tiis breaking in the fall. For this purpose a tool should be used capable of doing good work and plowing completely under all the vegetable











material on the top of the land. A disk or heavy turning plow should be used for this purpose, aiming each time to go a couple of inches or so deeper than the last breaking was done. An old land that has been some years in cultivation subsoiling call be profitably adopted. This subsoiling can be done with an ordinary scooter stock wih a six-inch shovel for a plow, running rigti behind the breaking plow and going as deep as it is possible to gO. This subsoiling) opens and aerates the lower soil that is not advisable to turn on top or mix with the alreadymade soil. It also helps to retain the moisture received front the rainfall, prevents, to a certain degree, surface washing during heavy rains, and enables the crop to draw on the lower moisture strala in the growing! period when moisture is the main factor to a large yield. It also serves the purpose of soil aeration to a lower depth thanl the breaking plow can do, thus Iendinig to promote the bacterial life of the soil on which crop produclion so much depends.
In cases where no, winter cover crop is grown on fall! broken land, after every heavy rain a tool such as a weeder or harrow should be used, running lightly over the land and forming a dust mulch to prevent the rapid evaporation of moisture Ihat occurs if a crust is allowed to remain long on the lanil. No deep running tool is wanted for this work.

FERTILI.1ER FOR TIlE CRO'.

An important point connected with this crop is the kind of fertilizer used, and it is advisable to cosnider tiis from the plant-food standpoint and know the formula that is likely to give us best results. Some of the Experi ment Stations of the South have given us definite infor nation along this line, which, coupled with results ob tained by a number of farmers in growing the crop, en-












ables us to suggest a formula that this crop will generally do well with. A favorite formula contains 3 per cent of ammonia, 7 per cent phosphoric acid and about S per cent potash. And in this connection we want to know the raw materials that enter into the make-up of this formula. For instance, we know that cottonseed meal or caster pomace is not the best for the source of. ammonia, because the use of these lends to give dhe crop soft rot and a poor keeping quality, and we also know that for the potash source we should not use an'y raw material with chlorine in it, such as muriate of potash or kainit, as the chlorine in them tends to give an inferior quality to the crop.
The raw material reconamended for an ainoniate source are either tankage, sulphate of amnonin, or blood and bone; and for potash, sulphate or )otash, or d ouole sulphate of potash and magnesia.
The farmer who plants a large acreage of the crop can get the fertilizer manufacturers to compound for him any formula he wants and of any preferred materials, but the small grower has either to take what he can get on the local market or do his own mixing, which is quite easily done. To mix a ton of the formula given above and of the materials recommended, he would have to use about 900 pounds of blood and bone, or bone tankage, 800 pounds of phosphoric acid and 300 pounds of sulphale of potash.

HIOW MUCI FERILIZER PER ACRE.

Land that is in good mechanical condition with con siderable humus in the soil will take care of more fer tilizer to advantage than poor thin soil devoid of humus. The depth of plowing cuts quite a figure also along this line. A good rule to adopt and one that has been found satisfactory in practice is to use one hundred pounds per acre for the right kind of l)lant food or the formula al-










51

ready mentioned, for every inch of depth that the land has been plowed. It is true economy to use enough feriilizer of the right kind to get the maximum yield with he least cost of production per bushel.

METHODS OF APPLICATION.

It is a well-known fact that the root system is ihe flindatioi oil which a rotj is made, and the Imiethots Of ;Iplliealion of the fertilizer detemiun e Io a gl'eat ,xlent lie vigor and number of th' feeding ri)llets of a Crop. Fertilizer applied in furmowvs, drills or hills tends to make the soil streaked or spotted in its fertility, coneipientlY curtailing the root system because the roots of the crop
-ire not apt to spread through all the soil as the' would do if the fertility was uniformly distributed. Ther-e fore it is reconimended that, on all well-prepared soils plowed to a depth of six inches or more, ihe fertilizer be broadcasted on freshly prepared land and worked into the soil by means of harrow, weeder or cultivator, a few days previous to planting the crop. On soils deficient in humus, and plowed a few inches in depth, the application of the fertilizer had best be in furrows; but in such a ease the quantity used must be small and the crop will be of a corresponding degree, thus making the cost more per bushel, for the labor required is the same in both cases.

PLANTING TIE CROP.

Whenever the "draws in the seed-bed are ready for se ling out in the field, enough land should be prepared for the purpose by making it into beds about four feet from center to center. The height of these beds shiajld be determined by the nature of the land. On rolling lan]. where there is ample drainage, these beds should not be mre than twelve to fifteen inches above the level of the













ground and made with a well-rounded top, not sharp. On flat woods where drainage is deficient the beds should be made very high, sa'y two to three, so as to take care of excessive rainfall in rainy weather, because the roots of the crop should not be in stagnant water at any time. The best tool for mnaking the beds is a disk cultivalo1. The disks can be arranged at different angles and depths to make a far better bed and at considerably less cost than those made by a turning plow and afterwards
smoothed off with a hoe, as is the general practice. It is not advisable to make more beds than are required at any one time, because a better stand is secured when draws or vines are planted on fresh-made beds, on account of the settling of the soil about them, than when plants are put on beds a few days or a week after they were made.
If draws are set out in April, the vines that we want for the main planting will be ready to be cut for this purpose in May. For it has been found that the cuttings of the vines make a larger yield for table and market than where draws are used, and it is the usual practice .just to plant sufficient draws to give plenty of vines for the main planting.
In the planting operation the vines should be cut to lengths of' twelve or fifteen inches (we don't want them too long), and laid on lop of the bed about fifteen inches apert wvilh butts a11 onie way. By using a forked stick for the purpose, we can insert them into the soil to a depth of four to six inches, always taking care to have the butt ends down. The practice of some growers of pushintg the vines in the soil at the middle and leaving both ends sticking out cannot be generally recommended, as in (hat case the vine is ruptured and more than one joint will root, which tends to a lower yield flui where only one jhint roots, which is 1he case when the butt end is in serted.













If dry weather prevails at planting time and the soil is deficient in moisture, watering the plants immediately after seting them out is recommended. For this purpose some vessel with a spout on it (such as an old copper kettle) is best, pouring about half a pint of water in the hole where the plant is set out, taking care to run the wetted soil to the root of the plant. This should be done in the evening, and next morning a little dry soil should be thrown over these wet places to prevent the evaporation of that watering.

VARIETIES.

More than one hundred so-called varieties of sweet potatoes make up the list of what we have in the State. Many of these are really the same, but under different names in different localities.
In selecting a suitable variety two things should be kept in mind, and the most important in this respect is the market one is catering to, and another is the lateness or earliness of the variety. As a general proposition, an early variety does not give us the largest yield, and is not such a good keeper when stored as a later variety which matures thoroughly before harvesting. A variety in great demand for early summer shipping to Northern markets is the "Big Stem Jersey," but this variety is mostly confined to the central and south-central part of the State, where it is grown largely as a catch crop succeeding a winter truck crop. It is not in much demand in the Southern market because of its dry, mealy nature, the Southern markets calling for a soft sweet potato of the yam type. Among the favorites for domestic use and of medium earliness are the "Dooly Yam," the "Nancy Hall," and Triumph." The "White Spanish" sometimes called the "Tar Heel" is the earliest we have, but the quality is inferior and is not in much demand













after other varieties come on the market. "Southern Queen" and early "Pumpkin Yam" are medium early varieties and are of excellent quality. "Dewey," "Yellow Bunch Ya," "Vineland" and "Hall's Golden" are also desirable types and are the latest ripening varieties for domestic use. These are good keepers when allowed to ripen and stored properly.
Sweet potaoes are also much used for stock feed and can be profitably grown for that purpose especially for hogs and dairy stock. They can also be used to advantage for horse and mule feed along with grain feeds. The stock-feeding varieties grow to a larger size and are inuch inferior in quality to those used for domestic pur poses. Among the best know n in this class are the
-"white and the "purple" West Indian Yam, "Brazihian Y1an," "Nigger Killer," "Hayti," "'Spanish," "San Don iino," "Dnvis lnornous'' and a number of others. ,some of these do better in some sections than others, so lh:it one has to consider and find out, if possible, the variety best suited to his soil, location and climatic conditons. This applies both to the domestic and to the si ock-feed types.

CARE OF TIE GROWING CROP.

Many of our native farmers think that the sweet potato crop does not require any cultivation. If it is planted on new land, little cultivation will be required, as grass and weeds are not apt to be much in evidence. Nevertheless, an occasional stirring of the soil, particularly in dry weather, is useful for the conservation of moisture and the aeration needed to produce a good crop.
)n old land that has been several years in cultivation, grass and weeds will get quite rampant shortly after planting, particularly if a heavy application of fertilizer has been put on the crop. To keep such in check, the












cultivator must be used quite frequently until the vines completely cover the ground, when cultivation may cease, as by that time the young potatoes will be forming in the soil, and their growth would be interfered with if cultiva tion was continued any longer.

TOOLS TO USE.

The best tool for cultivating this crop that we know of is a two-horse disk cultivator with the disks set at a suitable angle at different depths, so as to run along the sides of the bed, scraping weeds and some soil into the water furrow in the operation. After the ground has been gone over in this way, the angles of the disks are reversed and rebedding is done, leaving the beds in their previous form. This work not only cleans up the weeds and grass, but aerates the soil and tends to a larger yield.

To protect the young plants from being either torn or covered in the eperation, the fenders, with which all such tools are provided, have to be attached to the frame of the cultivator. These fenders have to be properly adjusted as to width and depth to give the best results. Later on when the vines begin running and interfere with the disks in their work, a home-made attachment with fingers on it to lift vines out of the way can be fastened to the cultiN-;ator and used to good advantage; for cultivation can be carried on much later than if this was not used.

DISK CULTIVATOR BETTER THAN PLOW.

On those farms where cultivators are not used, the general method practiced for keeping the weeds under conITol is to _,ms8,. a turning plow for barring off ihe beds, clearing the to) by hoeing, and then bedding back again. This takes more time, and is inore expensive, because the plow will not cover more than a couple of acres in a day,
5-Bull.












whereas the disk cultivator will clear at least 8 to 10 acres a day. Fenders to protect the young plants cannot be used on a plow, and in the rebedding operation a number of plants will be covered by soil, requiring an extra hand to uncover them. When the vines begin running, an extra hand is also required to rake the vines out of the way of the plow, thus idding fifteen to twenty per cent to the cost of producing the crop. The work will not be as well done as by the cultivator, for the raking of the vines out of the way of the plow and back again damages them and curtails the crop.
Care should always be exercised not to work the soil when it is too wet, or when the vines are wet with either dew or rain, for that tends to "scald" the leaves, and is detriment to a good crop yield.

-ARVESTING THE CROP.

The bulk of this crop is not generally harvested until the frost occurs. The field should then be gone over, and the vines cut from the crown of the hills by means of a sharp hoe or sickle. This operation prevents the decay in the frosted vines from being communicated to the potatoes, and so causing the sort rot which shows itself soon after the potatoes are diug. If we follow this method the potatoes can ripen in the ground before we dig them, and their keeping qualities will be improved.
In the digg-ing operimtion, care should be exercised to prevent injury to the tubers by cuts, scratches, or bruises, which are another source of soft rot. Where a considerable acreage is to be harvested, it will be a point of economy to use a regular potato-digger. This works better and quicker, avoids injury, and ensures the getting of all the crop from the ground.
After the digging, the crop should be allowed to lie on the ground in rows for three or four days, so as to get











thoroughly dried and cured by the sun. It is as necessary to cure potatoes, both Irish and sweet, as it is to cure hay or forage.


STORING TIE CROP.

tlow to store the sweet potato crop in such a imianner as to ensure against: loss by decav, is a matter that Seriously concerns the farmers of the State. A considerable loss occurs in this crop every winter from preventable causes. The method of harvesting the crop are responsible 'or a large amount of this loss, and the methods of storing for most of the balance.
We have seldom, if ever, seen a successful sweet-potato house made by digging a hole in the ground and roofing in, or by imitating a smoke house; because both of these lack ventilation. A common practice is to make small conical piles about ten bushels each, and to cover them with soil and bark. As far as my observations goes, this method is frequently a failure, because the contents of these piles are not properly secured against rain, and are not properly ventilated. In my own practice I have found it best to store sweet potatoes in banks on ihe top of ground conveniently near to the barn or dwellinghouse. A piece of ground running north and south, of the desired length, and about four feet wide, is levelled ry means of a hoe or rake, and the potatoes are piled on this, about five feet deep, tapering to a slmrp ridge. This makes a long V-shal)ed bank, and care is taken to have the sides with a smooth and uniform slope. After all the potatoes are piled in the bank, a good plan is to allow them to have a few days' exposure to the sun so as to become thoroughly dry, covering at night with sacks or hay to keep off the dew. Then the whole bank is covered two or three inches deep with some kind of hay, and over the hay a couple of inches of soil are thrown.









58

The hay absorbs the moisture that is given off by the potatoes during the sweating that occurs soon after the bank is entirely covered. The soil keeps the hay in place and protects against cold. The bank should be made water-tight by means of boards laid lengthwise, with lepped edges to shed rain; or a temporary frame of scant lings can be made over the bank, and shingles or tar-paper used to keep the potatoes dry.
If the crop is stored in this way, it is less likely to rot than with ordinary methods, and it can be held until late in spring, when prices run high.














POULTRY RAISING.
----BY
A. P. SIENCER, A mistant in Erleasioa, Ubviersity of
Florida, Gaiesville.

There are about 6,000,000 farms producing poultry in the United States, but comparatively few of these raise poultry otherwise than as a side issue. Several large poultry pla-nts are operated, but their output is but a drop in the bucket in comparison with the wbole amount of poultry products produced and consumed.
The average housekeeper on the farm looks to supply her table with eggs from her own poultry yard. kt times she has abundance to spare; at other times her supply of fresh eggs is limited or cut off, and she depends on stored eggs or must purchase from a neighbor or grocer, the shortage usually occurring when prices are above the average.
This shortage may be overcome if there is a better undersianding of the details of poultry raising mnd sufficient time given to carrying them out. Successful poultry raising requires some skill and experience backed ,:p by econoinic-l management, constant attention and constant foresight.
The average hen lays about sixty eggs in a year. Only tbou[ half the eg,,s placed under hens or in incubators hatch, and many chicks that hatch do not live to a marketable age. These figures are only atpproximate, but those who have given attention to such matters will not doubt their approximate correctness.
This is not the best that can be done after allowing for natural environments, and considering what has been learnt from experimental work and using the artificial












methods devised expressly for making poultry raising more profitable and less subject to failure.
Poultry p~rodunction for profit tip to recently was viewed from three principal standpoints. First, production of eg;second, production of meat; third, production of breeding stock. A iiew phase of the business has recently y conie to our attention in the production of dayold chicks for a special trade,
It matters little which phase of the business is undertaken, some vital principles must be adhered to more or less constantly or there will be little satisfaction and less profit.
Iii all cases it is well to start on a moderate scale. The inlexp~erienced 10111tryinan must got practical experience. some of which mnay be more or less costly. If the start is made on a small scale and well within the capacity and finances, if the methods are economical and] business princiles are ap~plied1, it is reasonable to expect a fair profit in return.
Qn the average Florida farm, poultry can be made profitable, nd to do this it is important:
()To secure good specimens of well-bred fowls fromn
productive stock.
()To feed regularly with a variety of feeds.
(3) To house comfortably and keep free from lice and
mnites.
(4) To furnish a constant supply of green feeds and
fresh water.
(5) To see that they get exercise daily.
(C)) To keep a careful supervision over then.

rTHE BREED TO SELECT.

Three types of poultry breeds lend themselves to the various methods of marketing.











EGG OR [EI)ITERRANEAN BREEDS.

Of these the White Leghorn undoubtedly have the preference in Florida. The Brown Leghorn, Black Spanish and White Minorca have many admirers, and from the standpoint of eggs these breeds are unexcelled. They are poor sitters and nervous and require high fences to confine them.

MEAT OR ASIATIC BREEDS.

(ochins, Langhans and Brahmas are distinctly meat breeds. They grow rapidly and make a satisfactory table fowl, and are usually inferior layers but good brooders.


GENERAL PURPOSE BREEDS.

The American or intermediate types, such as Rhode
-Island Reds, Barred, White and Buff Rocks, Orpington and Wyandottes are best suited to the average farmer or market poultryman. They are quite generally used and are well suited to Florida conditions. These breeds are well established and breed true to color, with the exception of the Rhode Island Reds, which have a more receit ori-in, anId it is often difficult to secure uniformity of color with them, but as a general utility fowl the Rhode Island Red is considered one of the best. Color markings are usually of secondary importance, although there is a preference for white or yellow-skinned fowls in the best markets.
It cannot be truthfully stated that any one or two breeds are better than all others under all conditions, but in selecting for general utility it is usually good policy to adopt one that is known to be productive under fair management.











FEEDING.

Perhaps more attention has been given this phase of poultry raising than any other. Laying hens should be fed for two purposes only. First, to sustain the body, and, second, to produce eggs. When the body has been thoroughly nourished and additional food eaten there is a daily waste from sonic one or more causes if they fail to lay. It' they are taking on an excessive amount of fat, some of the food is being assimilated for this purpose. If there is no increase in body weight, the food may be deficient in the necessary elements for egg production, or the fowls may not lay because of indigestion or old age. For these reasons it is alniost impossible to prescribe for a non-laying flock unless all the particulars about that flock are known.
The daily ration should be fairly well balanced. If the flock is not yarded and their feed is obtained from the refuse of the stable lots, insects and worms, besides some table scraps, the ration will be fairly well balanced. Poultry confined will not get this variety of feed unless it is supplied from some other source.
A mixture of equal parts of corn, wheat, and oats is a good mixture, as a morning feed; four quarts is about sufficient for fifty hens. It is best to scatter the grain among litter to induce exercise. In the afternoon a mash feed (either (Iry or moist) is given. A good niash feed would be, equal parts of ground corn, oats, and bran, and some animal food (fed from an open hopper). Meat, meat-meal, and ground bone are good animal foods to use. For fowls not accustomed to meat meal; one-half pound per day is sufficient for twelve hens, since it has a laxative effect on the bowels and must be fed sparingly at first. Later when the fowls become accustomed to it, the amount may be increased to one pound per day. Linseed meal may be substituted in part, and is to be












recommended because of its lower cost and adding variety to the ration.
Hens should have a supply of protein (muscle and bone producing) as part of their daily ration with animal food forming a part of it. Fresh meat is best, the hens relish it better when cooked, and of course it can be kept sweet longer. Green cut bone is good although some claim it unsafe on account of the possibility of introducing tuberculosis to which poultry are subject. For summer use, meat meal and meat scraps are suitable and readily accessible. In making up the mixture, let the animal food constitute from eight to ten per cent of the ration, the actual amount depending on the particular material used, Skimmed milk is a good source and it may be both added to the mash and placed where the fowls can dring it.
I(egctadlc or green foods. The value of green feed for poultry lies in its ability to aid the digestive system, while it also provides with some nourishment. It promotes good health and naturally more eggs. Green feeds should be supplied liberally, even poultry lving the picking of the grass and weeds that grow during the winter in Florida are benefited lhy an additional supply of such vegetabes as cabbie, kale, and dwarf essex rape.
Slrouted grains are generallyy used Ly northern poultry men wilh young chicks. They are also valuable because of a ferment called "diastase" they contain that aids digestion of starch. This substance is in sprouting oats, rye, barley, and potatoes.
Fowls inust hiave a constant sapply of grit. Grit is used by hens for masticating their food. The supply must be constant and frequently renewed and unless it is sharp digestion will be imperfect. Very often it is advisable to supply some grit even when the fowls have access to a sandy yards, for if the sand is very fine, it is useless. Ground oyster shells or coarse sand are among the best forms.












Fowls must have a dust bath. A dust bath is more essential than is often considered. Hens must dust themselves to rid the body of vermin and to cleanse it and remove the scurf that is constantly exuding from the skin. The dust bath should be frequently renewed anti might contain a small quantity of lime, or preferably wood ashes.

WATER A CONSTANT NECESSITY.

Water constitutes 65 per cent of the egand about 55 per cent of the lien's body, and unless the supply is sufficient the hens will suffer for want of it. The water supplied in green feed is not nearly sufficient. Fifty laying hiens will drink 6 to 10 quarts daily, and even more in hot weather if they are producing. a good number of eggs each day.
Soime simple automatic drinking fountains sold by dealers of poultry supplies are convenient for supplying clean water, as there is a probability of the water becoming polluted if it is supplied to a large flock from open vessels.
Materials for feeding must be fresh and free from mold; musty corn, buckwheat, and bran are inducive of digestive disorders. Kaffir corn is an exceptionally good poultry feed when clean, but unless special care is taken, it is subject to mould during the summer rains in Florida and should be examined before being fed.
It is important to keel) the appetite good. A light grain feed or "scratch" in the morning, a mnash feed at noon (either dry or wet) and a liberal grain feed at night is recommended by good poultrymen. The crops should be full wh-len the hiens go to roost. This is especially emnphasized in northern states to induce warmth during fie night and is less true perhaps in Florida.












BROODY IIENS.

Some breeds have a greater tendency to broodiness than others. The lighter egg breeds are less broody than the heavier meat breeds. Broodiness is a natural condition coining at the end of a continuous laying period. All liens have periods for laying and periods for resting. Whatever may be the cause, broodiness can be most effectively overcome by good care and regular feeding, to build up bodily tissue and to get the lien in a good condiftion for laying again. To starve broody liens is to increase this tendency. Ducking in cold water or other alusCs most conmmnly practiced do well to break up the broodiness.

i'Ot:'Tlv hOU:SES.


A high dry location for the buildings is always preferable to a poorly drained one and as yards running ou' from the poultry houses that can be cultivated and sown to green crops are convenient, this consideration should not be overlooked. Excessive moisture brings trouble every time. Good drainage and good sanitary conditions inean much to a flock of poultry, yet there is hardly a location however flat, but what local conditions can be greatly improved by raising the level of the ground on which the house is to be constructed, twelve to fifteen inches with a few loads of light soil, thereby making it on a good location.
The open house is alvavs to be recommended in Florida. There is no necessity for expensive structures, but only for comfort, sanitation and convenience. Snall flock., usually lay best; 60 to 70 birds in a flock will give A higher average than when greater numbers are kept together, although under certain conditions several hundred may be kept together profitably. Tn the first case a












greater number of eggs per hen are produced, while the larger flocks can be handled with less labor per hen.
Four to six square feet of floor space is sufficient fo." each bird. Overcrowding is injurious. With one or two sides open, or in our coldest weather covered with canvas, a free circulation of air surrounds the hens and prevents an excessive accumulation of moisture or foul air. Any structure so built as to permit drafts on the birds is faulty. The air should be cool and fresh, but drafts are responsible for much trouble. Pouhry often prefer. a tree for roosting, as they object to being housed in drafty quarters. A tree gives better protection than :a drafty house, but not nearly as good protection as a properly ventilated house. A concrete floor in Florida is to be recommended though not absolutely necessary. The house can be more thoroughly cleaned and the birds butier protected from weasels, skunks and rats, when there is a solid floor and wire netting to cover the open slides, with doors made to fit.
The roosts should be so arranged thai they can be quickly moved, and all on the same level. About thirteen inches below the roasts should be boards to collect the droppings. These boards should be tongued and
-rooved, and closely IitteI leaving no cracks or holes to collect dirt. Clean the dropping board every day and pour a little kerosene oil over the roosts once a week. ,Sprinkle lime around the roosts each day and there will be little trouble with bad odors and vermin.
Din'ken the lnyino boxes, as a hen prefers a concealed corner for the nest. Clean the next boxes frequently, dirty nests are breeding places for Ileas,.mites, and lie,. Eggs absorb disagreeable odo-s, rapidly, and the quality of the egg will be injured by lying from twelve to thirtysix hours in a dirty nest. Remember always that sanitation and a free circulation of fresh air are indispensable to successful poultry raising.












Never permit sickly or weak birds to remain in the flock. If unthrifty ones are found, remove them at once, and if the sickness seems to linger, it is usually best to destroy them and burn the carcasses. Select the breeding stock from the thriftiest and most active birds of the yards. Without constitutional vigor and good health we cannot expect good returns.
Pullets are usually the best layers, but their eggs should not be used for hatching. One and two-year old hens are best to select when eggs for incubation are wanted. Keep the entire flock under three years old and weed out the non-producers immediately they are found in the flock.

RAISING CHICKS.

Under average farm conditions most of the chicks will be hatched and mothered by hens, although incubators are rapidly coming into general use.
liens that steal away to nest usually, but not always, succeed in raising a good brood, although often too late in the season, so we cannot count on that method for raising our best chicks. The liens that lay early are the ones that halch the early chicks. Furthermore, the early hatched pullets do the laying during November, December, and January, so that in order to have early layers one must prepare at least twelve months in advance. Early broilers bring the fancy )rices, so that the success in both production and getting the best market is to be two months in advance of those who furnish the bulk and general supply of eggs and meat.
The egg supply is irregular and is always greatest (i.ing March, April, May and June, so that the price per dozen naturally declines during these months. During the remaining eight months the retail market depends












more or less on the eggs stored during tile laying season and cannot always supply strictly fresh eggs.
The poultry man who by proper methods has been able to get his greatest supply of egg-s during the months of shortage or October, November, )ecember, and January, gets the cream of the prices and when the market is declining these hens are raising chicks for the early market or for his laying stock the coining year. There is a special trade to be developed in every city in the South for striclly fresh eggs and well fattened nicely market ed, dressed poultry. The product must be uniform and
strictly fresh and placed on the nmatket in ati active packages. There is only a siall profit in poulli-y raising if the product is to go into the ordiinay cha nnel of tado, the grocery and country store, when the market is fairly well supplied. Eut there is a liberal profit if the special trade is catered to.
The Doan Carton Company of St. Louis, Missouri, manufactures e-g cartons that will meet the demandd of such a trade. Each carton will hold one dozen eggs, and the cartons are so shaped that thirty of these will exactly fill an ordinary 30-dozen egg crate. InunediatelY the e-s are gathered sorted and wiped, they are placed in the carton, the lid is sealed and [lie date stamped on the package. The carton is made of a good quality cardboard, each egg separated -from the other, so that there is little danger of breakage. The eg.gs are not handled again until they are finally taken out by the consumer. Such a package, convenient in size, sealed and guaranteed finds a ready sale at a higher lice than the regular market offers. The carton benrs tlue name of the pro(ueer with sig ature over guarani ee, and the consumer finding' the eggs according to guarantee wants the particular product again. The price of the cartons is 8IO.50 per thousand if ordered in 1000 lots or less than fhree-quar-ters of a cent each.









69

DAY-OLD CHICKS.

Another phase of the poultry business that has only recently attracted attention is the selling of day-old chicks. In some instances the business has grown to large )roportions. One firm offers day-old chicks at 10 cents each, also oilers a paper brooder that is packed and sent in the same shipment at $2.00. Hence with an expenditure of $12 the purchaser may start in the poultry business and under favorable conditions this would be a fairly satisfactory way to begin. The development of such chicks vill of course depend largely on how they are cared for and the vigor of the stock. A public hatchery in connection with an established poultry plant would undoubtedly find some business. In these hatcheries the eo-s are incubated at a stated price per hundred, or eggs may be exchanged for chicks.


















INDIAN RUNNER DUCKS.
-BY
A. P. SPENCER, Assistant in Extension University of
Florida, Gainesville.

Indian Runner Ducks have received attention from many people during the past five years. Their hardiness and their egglaying capability recommend them. From 200 to 250 eggs a bird is not an uncommon yearly average, when the flock is properly handled. The eggs are readily accepted in our markets in place of hen eggs. Bakeries find a ready use for the eggs, and the claim is made that two of these duck eggs are equal in food value and for cooking purposes to three hen eggs.
Unlike hens, the egg production of the Indian Runners does not diminish immediately after the second year. Even up to seven or eight years they retain their normal egg-laying powers. They are only slightly subject to diseases, and parasites are seldom, if ever, found to trouble them. These ducks are wild-natured, and have little regard for a nest, dropping their eggs in any convenient place, frequently in the water or mud. It is best to keep them in yards. Then the eggs can all be gathered, and with the better attention they receive, they lay better, the ducklings grow faster, and being less frequently disturbed by strangers they are ta mer. A pond is much enjoyed by them, but is not a necessity. In fact, some people claim that the egg-production is greater without any water for swimming. Nevertheless, the ducks must have an abundance of fresh water for drinking purposes, and this especially must never be neglected.
Indian Runners, like all other live stock, require regu. lar feeding. A meal three times a day is advocated during the laying season, and twice a day when moulting. The
6-Bull.












feed may not materially differ from a suitable ration for hens, but as the duck utilizes less grit, it is better when moistened or made into a mash.
Indian Runner ducks are very poor sitters, so that the hatching must be done by hens or in incubators. One of the greatest hindrances to good hatches in incubators is the want of moisture during incubation, as these machimes are built for hatching hens eggs and duck eggs require more moisture. Additional moisture must be supplied for a successful hatch. Even when hatched by hens, it is advisable to moisten the eggs once a week, and twice during the last week of hatching.
The eggs are usually fertile if the flocks are properly managed. Thirty or forty in a flock is large enough, with one drake to every six ducks. An SO to 85 per cent, hatch may be expected under good conditions. If the eggs are 1o be bought better hatches are usually secured from flocks of sufficient size to give quantities of fresh eggs for shipment each day. While they ship fairly well, their hatching q-nalities (as in the case with hen eggs) are likely to be injured by long shipment or too much jolting around. So it is preferable to secure the eggs from near home when possible.
At present, we have two varieties o',! Indian Runners although not particularly distinct-the dark fawn and the light fawn. The American standard describes the perfect female specimen as light fawn.
There seems no claim to any superior egg production in the light fawn variety. On the other hand, the dark fawn is said to produce a whiter egg without the greenish tinge that more closely resembles a hen egg, and is more acceptable for table use.
Ducklings up to three weeks old are sensitive to cold and wet. Getting their feet into very cold water or exposure to a cold rain is almost sure to kill many. Up to five or six weeks of age, they need a good shelter with a












dry floor. After that they will require little or no shelter in Florida, and if well fed will begin laying when four and a half to six months of age.
Indian Runner ducks have many things to recommend them. They are not bothered with lice or vermin, no roup, no scaly legs, very little housing, and hawks do not molest them; but if they have access to a Florida pond, there is a danger from loss by the large turtles that are quite numerous in most sink holes, streams and ponds.
In addition to the demand for eggs, there is a growing demand for the meat, and while these ducks are not as heavy and plump as some other breeds, if they have been well cared for and kept growing, they make nice roasters, fryers and broilers at an early age.

DUCKS AND CHICKS MUST BE KEPT SEPARATE.

It is not a good plan to yard ducks and chickens together. I)ucks are naturally good feeders and greedy and will get the most of the feed, and as they enjoy getting into the drinking rater, will keep the drinking vessels in a dirty condition. Separate yards are best.
Indian Runner Ducks, like chickens, can be made profitable if they are properly managed. There is sufficient waste on the average form to supply a good portion of the necessary feed, and while the ducks can be handled as a side issue on the farm, they will not give profitable returns if neglected.


















IMPROVING ACID SOILS.

-BY
A. W. BLAIR, Chemist Agricultural Exrperiment Station.

The soils in many sections of Florida are acid (sour), which is unfavorable for the best development of many crops. Soils that are low and wet, especially muck soils, are likely to be acid. It is generally safe to assume that our pine-land soils are more or less acid if there is no indication of phosphate rock, limestone, or marl, at or near the surface. Hammock soils may also be acid, though in some cases the hammocks have a layer of marl a little below the surface.

CAUSES OF ACIDITY.

1. Alkaline materials, such as potash, soda, lime, and magnesia, which can neutralize or counteract acids, have, to a large extent, been washed out of our soils by the action of drainage waters. (The State Geologist, in Bulletin No. 1, of the Geological Survey, stated that dissolved material is being carried into the sea through the Silver Springs at Ilie rate of about 600 tons per aay.) In this dissolved matter, carbonate of lime greatly predominates.
2. Organic matter, such as grass, weeds, or stalks, decays ill the soil with the formation of organic acids, which on account of their slow solubility tend to accumulate in soils not well supplied with alkaline materials like lime.
3. Certain fertilizing materials, sulphiate of am-monin in particular, tend to increase the acidity of sols that are ,naturally deficent in alkaline materials, owing to the












plants using the ammonia to a greater extent than they do the sulphuric acid.

CORREC'I vES.

Alkaline materials generally, will counteract or neutralize any acid. In improving an acid soil, the aim should be to get an alkaline material that is cheap and that can be easily handled. To a large extent, lime in its different forms fulfills these requirements.
Carbonate of lime is the form that occurs naturally. It is found as crystallized limestone or marble, as massive limestone rock, as marl, and as shells. It also occurs in certain soils in a newly divided state as the result of the decomposition of some of the above mu ed materials. Examples of such soils are found in the Bluegrass regions of Kentucky, and Southwest Virginia. Carbonate of lime, in any forn, if ground fine and worked into an acid soil in sutlicient quantities, will correct the sourness. It will not take effect as rapidly as quick-lime, nor is it as concentrated. It should, however, be much cheaper. One hundred pounds of pure quick-lime are equivalent to 179 pounds of pure limestone; but, because of impurities, it would perhaps be best to take 200 pounds of carbonate of lime, in the form of ground limestone or ground shells, as the equivalent of 100 pounds of pure quick-lime.
Slaked Lime (hydrated lime) is made by slaking quicklime with just enough water to convert It into a fine powder. One hundred and thirty-two pounds of slaked lime prepared in Ihis way are equivalent to 100 pounds of pure quick lime.
Unbleached hardwood ashes contain about 25 to 30 per cent. of lime in addition to 4 to 6 per cent. of potash, and when they can he had at a reasonable price they may be used with profit on acid soils.
Basic, or Thomas, Slag contains about 40 per cent. of











lime in addition to 17 or 18 per cent. of phosphoric acid, and if a moderate application of lime is needed along with a heavy application of phosphoric acid, this may be used. In our experiments with pineapples, basic slag has given good results.

APPLICATION.

If ground limestone or shells are used, and the soil is found to be highly acid (by testing with litmus paper), two tons per acre once in two or three years will not be excessive. If the soil is only slightly acid, one ton per acre may suffice. Only half the amount need be applied if quick-lime is used. Old, thoroughly air-slaked, lime may be used in about the same amount as ground limeStolle.
Lime may be applied at almost any time, though it would perhaps be better to apply it during the late winter or early spring, so that it may be thoroughly worked into the soil before the rainy season sets in. If fertilizers containing sulphate of ammonia are used, it would be better to apply the lime one month before or one month after the fertilizer application.

CROP'S BENEFITED BY LIME.

Most vegetable and fruit crops are benefitted by the use of the lime where there is a tendency to acidity of the soil. It has, however, been shown that watermelons do best on an acid soil. It has also been shown that lime makes the conditions more favorable for the development of scab on the Irish potato.
With celery, lettuce, cabbage, citrus fruits, hay, and forage crops, it may be used liberally.

















COWPEAS FOR HAY AND FOR SOIL BUILDING.
-BY
C. K. McQUARRIE, Assistant Superintendent Farmers'
Institutes, Gainesville, 1la., March 27, 1912.

Our system of agriculture in this state (and in the South generally) has paid too little attention to growing legume crops as soil improvers. The farmer has thus been compelled to make large outlays for commercial fertilizers, which really never build the soil to the point of increased crop yields annually. We have been neglecting one of the most important methods of soil building known to agriculture. One of the best of the legume family for this purpose is the cowpea, and it is safe to ay that no one crop known can add more to our agricultural wealth. hlay of the best quality can be made from it, and nearly four times as high in digestible protein as timothy hay. Rs 1)ower to collect the free nit-rogen of the air and store it in the form of nodules on lhe roots, thus increasing soil fertility, enables the farmer to grow succeeding crops without expensive nitrog-enous fertilizers.

PLANTING COWPEAS.

To make the best of the cowpea crop there are two distinct periods in which it should be planted to enable the farmer to get hay of good quality. The first planting should be done as early in spring as possible so as to have the crop cut and cured for hay before the rainy season occurs. The other planting should be done in July, (or early in August) so as to have the crop come off in the fall when dry weather prevails.












VARIETIES '[0 PLANT.

On land where a winter crop that depletes the soil has been grown, such as cabbage, rape, or any of the small grains, a good plan for soil recuperation is to grow a legume crop immediately thereafter. The cowpea fits in there just right, and by making the crop into hay, the land will be in good condition to bear a profitable fail crop of some kind suitable to the soil and system of farm management. The variety of seed to be used should be carefully considered, for while there are upwards of fifty distinct type!s (ef 1he cowpea, there are very few that are suitable for early pl, nting. Another point for consideration is the inununity of' the variety we use to root-knot and wilt. On land where the root-knot is known to prevail, cowpeas of any variety are subject to it, and in thit case we had better use the velvet or Lyon beans for a legume crop. There are two varieties of cowpeas that are known to be more resistant to root-knot than others, the Iron and Brablain, and they are desirable types for haymaking purposes.

PREPARING FOR COWPEAS.

The land for cowpeas should be well prepared by thorough plowing and pnlverization of the soil. The success of any crop depends a good deal on the seed-bed prepared for it. An ai1)pleation of about 400 pounds per acre of ,cid phosphate should be broadcasted and harrowed in before planting the seed. On soil that is in a good mechanical condition it will be advisable to sow the seed "broadcast," using about seven pecks to the acre and using a drill for the purpose. If no drill is available, the seed can be sown by hand and worked into the soil with a cultivator, smoothing the surface with a harrow or weeder. On thin soil it is advisable to sow in drills about thirty












inches apart and cultivate the growing crops several times. In that case about five pecks of seed per acre will be sufficient.


COW' EA MIXTURES.

Some of our farmers get excellent results from cowpea mixtures; that is, sowing other seeds with the cowpeas. This practice is generally recommended for the purpose of easier curing of the hay, as the mixture being of different texture cures more readily than if of one kind. A mixture liai is very popular is sorghumn and cowpeas. The Early Amber sorghum is the best, as its growing period comes near that of the cowpe:is. If both are sown at the same time, five pecks of cowpeas and two pecks of sorghum broadcasted or drilled in is sufficient for an acre.
Cowpeas and 6lermlan millet are another good combination, for the period of growth of the millet and the earlier varieties of cowpeas correspond srllicientlY to make the product desirable, and Ilhe millet aiids considerably in curing the hay. C aw-peas and soy beans are also a good combination, using the larger varieties of the soy bean, such as the Manuoth Yellow, and the slower growing varieties of cowpeas, such as Ihe ('lay and the Whippoorwill.
On some of the older fields of lbh slate in the northern and western portion, Johnson grass has become more or less a pest. In iiells whe,: it ahonds, cowpeas can be disked on the land at ihe rate of! six to seven pecks Per acre. The disking of the Jolmson grass roots tends to a better stand of grass, and tlm peas mixed with it makes excellent hay. If the seed is planted in early April, the hay can be cut in about sixty to seventy days, and will be one of the best hays it is possible to get. This method of treating Johnson grass lands solves a difficult problem, as












you cannot grow a cultivated crop successfully where it abounds.

CURING TIE CROP.

To get the best quality of hay the cowpea crop must not be allowed to get too ripe. At the blooming stage all ie nutriment is in the plant, when it starts to nmke the seed to perpetuate its kind. The best time to cut cowpeas for hay is when the first pods are in the snap stage. As this hay requires careful handling it should not be cut when wet with either rain or dew. Cut in the forenoon, and as soon as wilted rake it into windrows and put it in small cocks the same afternoon. Hay-cock covers are useful if unfavorable weather prevails, and they will ihen repay their cost several times over. They can be made from seventy-two-inch muslin, cut into squares, soaked in raw linseed oil, and wrung dry. They should have string loops on the corners, so as to fasten them to the cocks by wooden pins. Very thin muslin is best, for if ihick nuislin is used it causes the hay to sweat, and is no more effective in shedding rain.
Next day open up these cocks in a loose manner, exposing the hay to the sun as little as possible, or the shedding of the leaves is apt to occur. Test 4 lie hay by twistina a bunch in the hand. If no moisture shows haul it to the barn. It will undergo a sweating process here, but .that will only make it the more palatable, andI better cured. It will overcome the sweat all right, if' left alone, and when it cools off will make a superior grade of hay.
The feeding value of cowlpea haiy and of ils mixtures has long been recognized as of a hi1 order, the hay being equal in protein content to the best bran, and high in carbohydrates. In dairy feedino-, well-cured cowIea hay, cut at the right stage, is equal pound for pound to the ordinary bran used for feeding.














WHITEFLY CONTROL
BY
E. W. 13EI GER, Pii.D., Eiitoooloflist Agr'icilt'arall Experitmentt S'tatioal.


It is important that the citrus grower whose trees are infested or threatened with infestation by whitefly, should have at hand the necessary information which will enable him to initiate and conduct repressive measures to the best advantage. T]'his bulletin is an endeavor to bring together the essential facts of whitefly control in a brief form. The whitefly may be controlled, though it is almost impossible to eradicate it. To control this pest is to keep it in check sufficiently for the trees to continue to bear clean fruit.

flow THE WHITEFLY INJURES TREES.

Badly infested citrus trees usually bear but a small amount of fruit, and what is borne is insipid and covered with sooty mold. The direct injury done to the trees consists in the loss of the sap which the insects suck at the rate of more than 15 pounds per month for each million of whitefly larvae. Indirectly the trees are injured by the sooty mold which covers the leaves and fruit. T]'his sooty mold is a black fungus which develops in the honeydew, a sugary excretion ejected by all stages of the whitefly. This mold is itself injurious to the trees, because by shutting off some of tihe sunlight it interferes with the elaboration of food materials in the leaves and also ret rads the ripening of the fruit. Tests with iodine solution show that the parts of leaves covered with sooty mold produce less starch than the parts not covered.












SUMMARY OF LIFE HISTORY.

The young of the citrus whitefly (sometimes incorrectly called eggs) are scale-like, and live on the under surfaces of the leaves. They pass through five stages of develop ment, increasing from about one-eightieth of an inch to about one-eighteenth of an inch in length. The sixth stage, or final one, is the adult winged whitefly. The first four stages are spoken of as the first, second, third and fourth larval stages; and the fifth stage, the transformation stage from which the winged whitetly emerges, is called the pupa.
The best time to spread the whitefly-destroying fungi or to spray with contact insecticides is when these insects are mostly in the first three larval stages, or while they are still in the thin, flat condition of the fourth stage. (For a detailed discussion, read what is said under the heading of "Experiments in Spraying" on a later page.) Those in the thickened condition of the fourth or in the pupal stage, are less easily killed, requiring a stronger insecticide. The eggs of the whitefly cannot be destroyed by ordinary insecticides, and it is useless to spray the winged adults. The whitefly begins its larval development about 10 days or two weeks after the swarming periods in spring, summer, and fall. In other words, the eggs hatch in 10 to 14 days, and there are three broods of larvae. The spring brood of adults is definitely separated in time from the summer brood, the intervening period being occupied by the spring brood of larvae, which may be expected in March, April or May, according to season and locality. The summer brood and the late to early fall brood are not so definitely separated as the spring and summer broods of adults, because during the warm weather the adults are emerging nearly all the time; but large numbers of larvae are present during parts of July and August. The late summer to early fall brood is again separated from the next spring brood by nearly the whole












of the fall, the whole of the winter, and sometimes a part of the spring.

METHODS OF CONTROL.

There are three methods of control-the fungus diseases, spraying with insecticides, and fumigation.

THE FUNGUS DISEASES.

It is a well-established fact, but not a widely known one, that insects are subject to diseases as well as other animals and man. Among the principal agents responsible for ihe diseases of insects are certain parasitic fungi, and 1he whitefly, fortunately for us, is subject to attack by at least six of' them. These are he red fungus (As chersonia alcyrodis ) yellow fungus (Aschersonia flavocil illa , brown fungus (cg (riia ,ucbbri Faw-cet), (iifamon fungus ( Vcticilliam hclerocldcmi ), white-fringe fiung us (Hicroccra sp.). and oce,,ionailv a species, of 8porotrichum related Io lhe cihinchbug fuwius. These are all parasites of Ihe larvae of whitefl-, except the last- one, which has occasionally been found infesting dead adult whiteflies, and presumably had caused their death.
As it is not within the scope of this paper to fully discuss each of these fungi, he red Aschersonia will alone be treated in some detail as a typical fungus, while brief statements with regard to the others will follow.

THE RED FUNGUS.

This important fungus, the red Aschersonia, has given satisfactory results in localities where the summer rains were normal, or where the trees were in good condition generally, the fungus could not always be depended upon to check the whitefly or to bring the trees back into good condition.












HELPING THE FUNGUs.-By diligent effort at spreading the fungus, especially during periods of rain, some relief can be obtained even under otherwise adverse conditions, if these be not extreme. In the grove of Mr. W. E. Heathcote. of St. Petersburg, Florida, into which this fungus had been introduced the previous year, and in which it was not thriving especially well and was giving only inadequate relief, a single spraying of the fungus spores was made in August, 1908, into 6 trees, and the entonologist counted, as a result, something like 10 ties the amount of fungus in these trees that was found in those on each side. Ten times as much fungus, of course, imiI)]ies len times as many whitefly larvae killed, and indicales that, in many instances, diligent application of the fungus spores would give results more than repaying the time and money spent. Introductions of fungus should be thoroughly made, and if necessary repeated several times during the period of summer rains. We must not expect the fungus to do all the work unaided, but must help it destroy the whitefly by spreading it at the best time.

EXPERIMENTS IN SPREADING FUNGUS.

In this connection the writer desires to refer to the results produced by fungus in several groves into which it was introduced artificially. The first of these is the R. S. Sheldon grove at New Smyrna. The first introduction of the red fungus (red Asehersonia) in this grove was made by spraying spores under the writer's directions in October, 1906. A very small amount of fungus developed that fall, but it spread well during the next summer and no more was introduced before 1908. During the spring of the latter year some fungus was distributed by pinning leaves. On August 22, 1908, the writer sprayed spores of the red fungus into a few isolated trees near the Sheldon













house. But little, if any, fungus had developed in these trees previously and none had been introduced. By September 1, 66 per cent. of the larvae counted upon seven leaves, selected from some collected by Mr. Sheldon froin the trees sprayed August 22, were infected by the fungus and dead. This happened in less than one month. The empty pupa cases were counted as live larvae in making the caIculations. Following these excellent results, Mr. Sheldon continued to spread fungus by spraying the spores during ihc res;t of September. Notes rlpon lhe grove were again taken on April 21, 190!), as follows:

Grove has been practically cleaned of whitefly. There has been fungus by the bushel, and other people have been collecting it for their use. Fungus is now becoming much weather ed and is peeling off, but there is still plenty. Grove fns a fine new growth and many trees have set a good crop. Perhaps onetenti as' niiy adults oil new ao ,'s in other glovs il lown wo ire no fungus v- ac applied. North third or grove ha., more adlult whi clilcs because it is opposite a badly infested grove that , not Ireated.

Considering the fact that this grove was not isolated lt was exposed to reinfestalion, the results ltst be 'o-l sidered ve"r satisfactory. The whiieflv was broug!it midev control in just about two 'years. On tile olher hand, ile wiriter tow believes 1liat the soime resulls milht have been all ained in less 1hall one year, it i le first slpreading of fungIs hal 1(en nimde durin- tle pei'iod o' snmiiier rat its. In fact, it appears thiat the w ork miglit have been accoiplished in something' like a month if we had spread fungus throlloli the whole grove in August, 1908, as was done on the few trees referred to above.
The first part of the work was an experiment designed to give us accurate data as to the rapidilv with which the fungus spreads under those circumstances, and le control of the whitefly in the grove as a whole was a secondary matter.
7-Bull.












On July 9, 1910, Mr. Sheldon kindly furnished the following data. The crop of fruit for 1909 was abundant, of good quality, and clean. There were but few whiteflies in 1B09 and very little sooty mold. Whitefly considerable in 1010 but so far very little sooty mold. Red fungus was spread in 1909, but so far none in 1910, because fungus is scarce. No other repressive measures have been taken.
On December 22, 1909, the writer visited the 6-acre orange and pomelo grove of Mrs. A. P. Gunther, at Pierson, and made the following notes:

The larvae were in the flat condition of fourth stage and older. Perhaps average of one alive per leaf. The first trees to become covered with sooty mold were observd in summer of 1907. Considerable numbers of larkvse dead from unknown cause. 1,1nation lasted one hour. .Mdr. E. Gunther says fall broo1 of i dulLs not nearly so large as spring brood. Very good l real ol' red fungus (Aseersonia). Dozens to hundreds of putuls p-i leaf. The funLIs was first introduced by Mr. Frank SLirlin:, of DeLand, early in the season; several introductions were n , to-. Trees look very healthy, thrifty and good color. Good crop last year. Tpugerines and( pomelos bearing a small crop this year. Oranges about one-half crop; some fruit covered with so1y 'nold and reouircd w ixashing.

The resulIs in this grove appeared io ie sat ishl tUk v Iin so far a; the wIlitefly was concerned, antd but liiile, if anv, better results could have been obtained by anv (lller method under the same conditions of exposure to reinfestation. This grove appears to be an instance in which diligent spreading of [lie fmigns, aided by the "unknown cause" referred to in the notes, reduced the whitefly to a condition of comparatively little importance in one season.
Other illustrations of the effectiveness of introducing and spreading the fungi artificially under favorable conditions could be given. It is not the writer's wish, however, to make the fungi appear as a panacea for the white. fly, since their usefulness may be greatly limited in dry












localities and during periods of drought. It appears desirable, however, to briefly report upon the fungus work of Mr. Frank Stirling, of D)eLand.
During 1908 Mr. Frank Stirling, of DeLand, began to spray fungus spores on an extensive scale. That year he treated between eight and nine thousand lrees, in and near lDeLand. li during Ihe spring and summer of 1909, wi h one or Iwo helpers, he stayed fungs sp ores into 12".50 trees. That is, he ]uade 127,500 sprayings, many Irems being spvayed many tiwm:s. This spray ying was mainly of the red fmngus, buat some yellow aud some brown fungi were also used. The best results were had with the red fungus, but the brown (lid well later in the season. The yellow fungus (Aschersonia), M1r. Siring says, is a "hut.4ler" for ih:e cloudy-Nwiaged species of whitefly. Groves belonging to 58 ownrS wCr sprayed at a contract price of 2 cents per tree. Th: spring and summer (1910) Mr. Stifling is co1tiuhiilg to spray fun'ms spores. It will thus be seen that the method of spreading fungus as directed by the Experiment Station is receiving a most thorough test.
The eniomologist ls had oce'sion lo examine personally only two of the groves treated by Mr. Stiring during 1D!h,. These are the Guntier grove at Pierson, referred to ot, a corner page, and the Temple groves at Winter 'ark. Tibe r 1su4s in 3. Temple's groves appear to be about equal lo two good sprayings with inseclicides, but at less cost. Two sprayings in 19!m!, with _,11ugus, one in May and one in uly, cost I cents per tree; to have sprayed wilh insecicides would have cost 25 to 30 cents per tree. Mr. Stirling is atain treating Mr. Temple's trees this season. On April 21, 1910, Mr. Stirling said that in the Stetson groves at I)eLand, some of which were sprayed ive times with fungus during the season of 1909, the whitefly was held in check and kept from spreading;












and had not fungus been spread, one-third of the fruit would have been covered with sooty mold.
KIn'IN( TrovES TRItI'r.-l t should be added here that proper fertilizing and cultivation of the trees is important, since a ilbrifty tree full of healthy foliage presents conditios forable for the growth i of 1he iirasitic fungi of the mwhtedly, ond, of course, con better wit stand Ilhe attacks of insect . Irrigation woid also) frequently beltefit the res and favor the fungus parasites of whii.tly and of scales.

INTRODUCING THE RED FUNGUS.

In order o start a growth of ihe red Aschersonio, it is only necessary to spray a mixture of Wte fungus spores In nater on to t he whbiteHy larvae in he libsted trees. The spores of' the lmg.,s are produced in enormous nuihers in fhe ted eleviiions or 1ms0ules covering ie dead larvae. They vary considerably in size, and 13,,600,000 lto is many as 52,000,000 could be arranged, one layer thick, upon ie smface of a square inch. About 40 Imsthles to a pint of water have given good resulls. More can lie used, or less, if fungus is scarce. It: is not necessary to allow the leaves with fungus to soak longer than 5 to 10 minutes, but a longer time does no harm, and the uixture of sores and water may even be allowed to stand for 12 to 14 hours without injury. The mixture of spores and water should be strained through coarse cheesclbi h or a fine wire sieve in order to remove all l)artiles lible to clog the pmnp. Mixtures of fungus spores and water should not lie allowed to stand in co per or biiass lumps or vessels. It is best to avoid copper iml brtlass voss ',l altogether, since le copper may injure le stores. Growits of fungus can generally be observed -it the unaided eye in aboit three weeks after spraying the spores. The most successful introductions of the red












Aschersonia have been made during periods of rain at a time when the whitelly larvae were young. Thus one of the most luxuriant growtlis of ile Rted Aschersolnia that the writer succeecied in getling was at )eLand during a period of rain in April, 1INS, at which time also the larvae o he signing bro;d w ere in he early stage of developeut a nd very susceptible to inleciion by fulgus. (tenierally speaking, the period of sumnmer rains is the nost certain tOne to spread fungus and lo introduce it inio new places. Se(d fungus can generally be obtained from white y-infested groves into whicl ihe fungi have been llreviously introduced or in which they occur naturally. ince the fungi do not spread 'luring the winner, but are nearly dorutant, seed fung'us is soruetities scarce during the siring utonths, but Solie (al generally be obtained. Ity inidsumiuer a crop of fun .rus will have itatured upon the spring brood of whitely larvae so that fit.t'us is then aliintan. ()ne should Iot aotem1pt to inlrodu(ce fungus after the period of suimer te' i, iisi over, rilless it is deM'iei to 1Ir"ay the spores i\ten seed fungu- is Os plniW ful, 1,e arlory to ]wving an early state when sping opens as late as October, Noveuileber add Decenmber. and \btile but a iueager infection resulted. this slread rldly dutlug the foloi ' ling spling" and stulner s as Soon as S llicicnt ntistre and iiarnth rice present. The dala and co,lete details of experiitents will not be needed hIere suie they were Iublishied in Bulletin 97, page 48; il the Annual Reporil for 1907, page xxxii; in the Annual Replort for D0S, page liv; and in the Annual Eejlori 'or 1909, page xl. On a small place the mixture of spores and water may be applied by a whisk broom when no pump is available.

OTHER FUNGI.

The nietiods for introducing any of the other fungus parasiles previously mentioned are in general the same












as the method just described for the red Aschersonia. Of these fungi the red and the yellow Aschersonia can be introduced with the greatest certainty, and on the whole are generally the most efficient, excepting the brown fungus when conditions for it are right.
One important point in regard to the yellow Aschersonia must not be omitted. This fungus will thrive only upon the cloudy-winged whitefly. This fact, which is fully discussed in Bulletin 97, page 52, and in the Annual Report for 1909, page xxxvi, is important, since it would be useless to introduce the yellow fungus on the whilewinged species.

PINNING LEAVES.

Pinning leaves having whilefly larvae infected with a fungus upon them has been extensively practiced in the last, but spore-spraying has now almost entirely displaced this method. If leaves are used, each leaf should be pinned with its fungus side down to the lower surface of a leaf of the whitefly-infested tree, since the fungus will be more readily distributed by natural agencies when in its natural position.

ARTIFICIAL CULTURE OF FUNGUS.

All the fungus parasites of the whitefly can be readily grown artificially upon sterilized sweet potato and other media employed for such purposes. This was proven over two years ago by the Plant Pathologist, Prof. H. S. Fawcett, and the methods were described in his paper on "Fungi Parasitic Upon Aleyrodes Citri," Special Studies No. 1, University of the State of Florida, June, 1908. The brown fungus (Aegerita webbri, Fawcett) is the only one which has so far failed to produce spores in artificial cultures. Artificial cultures of this fungus can not at present be used for spraying, as can those of the other fungi












The red fungus has been grown extensively in the writer's laboratory on sterilized sweet potato, either in the form of plugs or finely ground. The best results were obtained when the plugs or ground sweet potatoes were placed in one-fourth pint and one-half pint wide-mouthed bottles, which were carefully stoppered with plugs of cotton batten. The potato was placed in the bottles which were then stoppered with the cotton batten, and sterilized by steam. Sterilizing destroys all the germ life in the bottle and on the potato. This is necessary, for otherwise the development of bacteria and other fungi would choke out the slow-growing red fungus. The plug of cotton batten keeps out all undesirable grems, but allows air to pass. The spores of the fungus are introduced into the bottles either by spraying them in sterilized water with a small atomizer, or by streaking them on with a sterilized platinum needle. The work must be done in a properly prepared dust-proof room.
The last culture of red fungus consisted of about 50 bottles. Fungus grown as just described can be employed for introducing into whitefly-infested groves as successfully as that occurring naturally. This has been repeatedly proven in infested trees near Gainesville and at other places. Since the natural supply of red fungus has been generally sufficient, it is not probable that it will become necessary to grow it artificially; but should it become neeessary to supply the artificially-grown fungus, this can be done in ton lots or larger with proper equipment.
While the spores of this fungus germinate in 24 to 48 hours, fungus growth does not become visible on sweet potatoes for about 7 days. This time is about the same as upon whitefly larvae. Some spores are formed in 20 to 30 days; and this again corresponds with the development upon whitefly larvae. Spore formation appears to be completed in about 30 to 60 days. The fungus mass will then be of a light brick-red; in fact, the appearance











of this color may be taken as evidence that spores are forming. The fungus should be used at that time, but it will keep for a monti, and longer during the winter and early spring. This fungus does not readily become w-eakeued, or lose its virulence, by successive growths upon sweet potato as a culture medium, since successful growths of fungus have been started upon whitefly l1arvae from each of the first live generations.
What has just been stated in regard to the red fuagus holds generally true for the yellow fungus, except that no extensive cultures of this fungus upon sweet potato havre lieen made.

TInATI IENT WITH INSECTICIDES.

In dry ties, and in groves out of condition, the fungi may Dt thrive sufficiently, and it may become necessary to spray wi iiinsecticides, or to fumigate.
,- aying w i i insectcides has fallen more or less into disfavor. Oeratios and experiments of the Florida xperim ent Station during the past year indicate clearly that eeciive spraying canl be done. The difficulties in the last hoi ve risen fromn spraying being done at -lhe wrong ti!De , or wie due to a lack of thoroughness, er iu rein festation from surrounding groves. The di icult y of doing the work so thoroughly that the under surfaces of all the leaves become w-et wiii the spraying solution can be overcome in part by taking special care, and b" spraying at a pressure of t) pounds or over.
Spraying for whitefly can be carried on successfully during that plorlion of any season when iost of the insects are in the larval or pupal stages. Irring the fall (beginning with October) and the greater part of the winter wve find the whilelly in the larval stages, and later in winter in the pupal stages. lIhing "a part of April or May, soon afler the disappearance of the spring brood of











adults, there is another period of about a month when but few adult whitellies are present and the eggs have hatched. After May until the end of September all stages of the whitefly, including the adults, are generally present. During this period rains occur frequently, while the adults fly away froin the spray, and the eggs are not generally dest royed by it. Spraying should then be done only when necessary to save the trees.

EXPFRIi1ENTS IN SI'RAYING.

In some orange irec , (Ir. F. lalupton's grove near Gainesv ile) which v ere sprayed on 3lay 7, MAI, ith "Golddust" at a sliaegljh of 1 pomul to 4 galhms of watei 91 per cent. of all larvae of the iirsi to the thih'd stages were dead after 10 days. The percentages of' foarlh-stage larvae killed was only 10.
These are the results of comniiing' lie dead amd live larvae on 10 leaves, selected :s representative of good spraying. On 36 leaves an average of !h2 per cent. of a l siages were killed. ( An. ,ept. 1!09. p. xliii Allhwame wis made for natural mortality, the lpercentage of w which was comjuted upon leaves fro unsIr~a -,0 trees. The following I el aperature condi tions existed on (he day I le spray ing was made and during 6 days 1l -eafter: