:ITRUS CULTURE for ROFI! UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES Wilson & Toomer Fertilizer Co. Citrus Culture for Profit SECOND EDITION 1913 Wouldst have abundant crops re-ivard thy toil, And fill thy barns, O tiller of the soil? Then e=ver keep in mind this maxim true, Feed -ice II the land, and 'twill in turn feed you. PRICE, CLOTH BOUND, FIFTY CENTS, POSTPAID PRICE, PAPER COVERS, TWENTY-FIVE CENTS, POSTPAID FREE BOOKLETS How and When to Fertilize Citrus Trees Full Crops Half Drops Good Fruit For Value Received (The last three citrus books are issued in season) Ideal Results from Ideal Fertilizers Acid Soils Lime: Its Forms and Effects Florida Vegetables Irish Potatoes Melons and Cucumbers Florida Strawberries Pecans More Cotton Less Work Cotton Farming Loiccr East Coast Section Ideal Fertilizers, a booklet giving the analyses, prices, etc., of our different brands. SPECIAL EDITIONS Keji to Success: General principles of soil management, what a fertilizer tag means, effect of different fertilizer materials, etc. Cloth bound, 50 cents ; paper covers, 25 cents. Control of Insects and Diseases in Grove, Garden and Field. A complete treatise describing the different insects and diseases and means of prevention, control and remedy including crop rotation, recipes for making and mixing insecticides and fungi- cides, directions for their use and description of effective spraying implements. Cloth bound, 75 cents; paper covers, 50 cents. CITRUS CULTURE FOR PROFIT PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS BY N. M. G. FRANCE WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER CO. To Our Friends Copyright 1911, by Wilson & Toomer Fertilizer Co. All rights reserved. Nn Preface In presenting this little volume to our readers we lay before them the methods of citrus culture that have proved to be prac- tical and profitable. We are supplying the needs of those who U wish to make citrus culture a business, and in so doing have S I eliminated the historical and botanical features, interesting to a ^ student but of no value in making a grove a profitable investment. ( The methods we give in the following pages are not based upon ^ the experience of one person merely, but are a compilation of the ways to success followed by leading growers in different parts of ^ the State and cover experiences from the birth of the citrus v^yidustry. This information has been gathered and edited by Xone who has not only had years of practical experience, but has * carefully studied the scientific principles underlying all phases x of the citrus industry and we send it out with full faith in its ( lability to fulfill its mission. Wilson & Toomer Fertilizer Co. Jacksonville, Fla., Jan. 1, 1911. Preface to Second Edition It may interest our many friends to know that the first edition of Citrus Culture for Profit has been sold in every part of the English-speaking world, even in far-off Australia, India, and Southern Africa ; also in Germany. France, Chile, Brazil, Japan, and other countries which have a keen interest in horticultural subjects and look to the world's best sources for information. From all readers, whether scientists or growers, it has received unstinted praise, so we take pleasure in sending out this revised work trusting it will be equally well received. Wilson & Toomer Fertilizer Co. Jacksonville, Fla., May 1, 1913. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. PAGE. Location 1 CHAPTER IT. Preparation of Land 4 CHAPTER III. Varieties 7 CHAPTER IV. Planting the Trees . . 13 C'HAPTER V. Culture 18 CHAPTER VI. Fertilizer .... 24 Fertilizer Values .... Fertilizing Picking and Packing CHAPTER VII. ...'.. 34 38 47 CHAPTER VIII. CHAPTER IX. CHAPTER X. Preventives and Remedies for Insects and Diseases Citrus Grove . in the 53 Springtime. (By our Special Artist. J CHAPTEIl I. Location It is rather bewildering to the prospective citrus grower to lind flourishing groves in such diverse situations and to hear from equally successful growers entirely different methods of culture. The citrus tree has certain needs, and when these needs are supplied it grows to perfection. When they are restricted it is quick to show the effect. This is the keynote to the equal success found in low hammock and all the varying soils to high pine land, and to the failures that are side by side with these successes all over the State. Where the soil is not underlaid with quicksand, or with hardpan coining within three feet of the surface, a grove can be made by using the proper means, but these means are so much more difficult and expensive in some instances than others, it is well to consider what is ahead of the grove-maker before one "puts his hand to the plow." Many people err in striving to get "cheap land." A few dollars or a few hundred dollars really is not of much moment in comparison to obtaining the right location and right cultural conditions. If it is to be a family home, scenic beauty should be considered also, but we will dwell only upon the financial side of the matter. Fertilizer is heavy and the citrus crop is still heavier. One has to be hauled from the station to the grove and the other from the grove to the station, and various other things smaller than the above items but considerable in themselves have to b-e hauled also ; therefore each quarter-mile added to the distance of location from the shipping point is going to be multiplied many times as the years go by and paid for most dearly in time and general wear on the team. It is cheaper to pay in the start to 2 WILSON & TOOMEU FERTILIZER COMPANY have the distance as short as possible. Another important item is good roads. If the good roads are already there one can well afford to pay a premium ; but if not, it certainly behooves the prospective settler to notice the chances of getting them in the near future. Our choice of land would be a rich sandy loam with a clay subsoil from two to four feet below the surface, though there are many fine grapefruit groves on sandy lands underlaid with yellow soil. There is also much to be said in favor of the heavier lands down to the richest of hammocks. Other lands than these should be avoided, for the expense of making the grove will make too great inroads upon the returns to have the profits satisfactory. For instance, a sandy loam soil equally as good as our choice named aLx>ve, but with a sand subsoil, will not hold moisture enough to sustain the trees, and as the moisture leaches away it will take with it a large percentage of the plant food. If the site can be on the south or southeast side of deep water it will be protected from cold to a great extent, but such fortunate locations are not easily found; however, one often can make sure of a good windbreak along the north and northwest of his proposed grove. The windbreak should be included in the pur- chase and not left open to the chance of someone cutting it away. Drainage should also be given careful consideration. There can be no success without proper drainage, either natural or artificial, and land naturally drained or easily drained is worth far more than that needing an extensive drainage system. Drain- age is an expensive item in most hammock groves, but the con- stant moisture is a great advantage. The young trees are likely to start off better and after the first expense of clearing and ditching, the grove, if handled right, generally takes less from its owner's pocketbook for the results it gives. One of the best groves in the State, which also produces the fanciest of fruit, is in a hammock so low ditches are cut between each row of trees and the water table is only two feet below the crown roots. IDEAL FERTILIZERS 3 Needless to say this is an extreme situation and one that only an expert could handle with success. He cultivates just enough but not too much, and when the land is in exactly the right condition so that it is aerated and not "puddled" or soured, and fertilizes so judiciously as to overcome all the rank coarseness natural to fruit grown on such rich land. No one could give the prospective grower directions for doing this he would need to watch condi- tions and act at exactly the right time. When soil is lighter and less wet, the time and manner of cultivation is of less importance, hence our choice of a sandy loam, for there are few of us so especially gifted in judging soil conditions. We can more easily learn to add humus to our land and to cultivate in a way to con- serve moisture than to judge to a nicety the exact needs of a low hammock ; but these points will be taken up more in detail under Culture. Chapter V. The Site of a Future Pineland Grove. WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY CHAPTER II. Preparation of Land There is one fine grove where the owner set his trees in cleared spots and finished clearing the land "while the trees were growing." We wish we could have watched the clearing with the endeavor to learn the "saving circumstances" in this particular case, for others trying this way have invariably failed. All new comers will do well to shun such get-rich-quick plans. Properly preparing land is quite an expense, hut it is far better to set from one to five acres aud have the trees started right than to spread the same investment over five to twenty-five acres and make a failure. It is impossible to tell the cost of preparing land, but it is safe to reckon on from fifty to seventy- five dollars per acre for strong pine land to twice that for rich hammock. This will generally include ditches and fences. It does not pay to select sparsely covered land to save ex- pense in clearing, for that which has not produced native growth cannot be - expected to produce cultivated crops. The lack of trees and saw palmetto shows land is at least saturated, if not actually covered, witli water during several months of the year. We mention this because we have seen so many houses erected in such open places by people coming to the place in dry seasons. Such "savannas," as they are called, will be found running through many tracts of land. After good drainage is established these "savannas" are usually more fertile than the surrounding areas, brut they should not be selected for building sites. In clearing land it is far better to contract for a certain price per acre with an experienced person than to have it done by day labor. There is a great deal in knowing how to get at IDEAL FERTILIZERS 5 the work in the right way, and while the contractor may make a good profit on the job, it will undoubtedly cost far more to employ unskilled workmen. It is generally best to remove in one way or another all the roots and bushes taken out, as well as the trees, though some pile in windrows, where it takes years for them to decay, and all that time they make an un- sightly, inconvenient mass. On damp, heavy land the rubbish can be burned, but on dry, loamy soil such fires will burn the humus in the land and do a great deal of damage. In disposing of trees one is most fortunate if he 4 can sell the trunks to a sawmill and work the larger limbs into stove wood, using the tops to burn out the stumps, but few find this ideal condition. The trees should be removed in some way, though, for however strenuous a job it is at the time of clearing, it will be far more complicated when the citrus trees are set and have to be con- sidered in all one's movements. Each locality has generally found a satisfactory way to dispose of the native growth, and one can be guided accordingly. Ditching is the next proposition. Even the best naturally drained land is better off to be surrounded by a "root" ditch which prevents the wild growth from sending roots into the cultivated land. The mellow soil and bountiful supply of plant food have great attractions, and the distance these wild roots will run is incredible to those who have not seen them. The root ditch also prevents the water seeping from the wild land into the grove. This water carries tannic acid and other deleterious matters and often does noticeable damage in rainy seasons, while at all times it is an unseen power working against desirable conditions. People are altogether too ready to believe Nature has pro- vided sufficient drainage. On this point it is far better to be a pessimist than an optimist. When for any length of time water fills the spaces between the soil particles, driving out the air necessary to nitrifying bacteria, these bacteria die and it takes G WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY months 1'or them to become re-established. By that time another rainy spell comes on and the circle is gone over again, so the land that needs draining a small part of the year is practically very little better than that which needs it the greater part; but it will take a less extensive drainage system to relieve it. Ex- perience has taught us that underground drainage is not a suc- cess in citrus groves, because the roots will soon work their way in and choke the passage ways. Open ditches should be used and the way they are arranged depends entirely upon the lay of the land. Each place must fre ditched according to its needs. When plowing such land the last time before setting the trees, it is best to lay it off in beds, leaving a water furrow between each row of trees. Barbed wire seems to be the standard fencing, having won its place by the service it gives for the money invested. It should be put up so that the wires are taut and the effect pleasing. It is well to do this clearing, ditching and fencing during the winter, and at springtime plow and spread broadcast one ton per acre of hydrated lime or twice that of crushed lime- stone. The light, dry lands need less lime than heavy, wet lands. Harrow and cross-harrow until the ground is in good tilth and sow about a bushel of cowpeas to the acre. The lime will sweeten the soil and hasten the disintegration of the broken roots left in the ground, while the cowpeas shade the ground over summer and keep the summer rains from leaching it and in their growth not only enrich the soil by the addition of nitrogen, but remove certain factors common to new land which are un- favorable to citrus growth. In the fall they should be mowed and, when dry. chopped into the land with a cut-a-way harrow, thus increasing the humus content which is beneficial to all our Florida land. IDEAL FERTILIZERS CHAPTER III. Varieties Many representatives of the citrus family can be grown in Florida kumquats, the several groups of oranges, pomelos, shaddocks, citrons, limes and lemons but generally the inves- tor has learned to confine his operations to the orange and "grapefruit," as the pomelo is popularly called. There are, of course, some exceptions. For our readers' information, we will dwell more fully upon the different kinds and varieties than a strictly financial view- point would warrant, because often one wishes to have a few trees for pleasure rather than profit. Kumquat. The kumquat is a strictly fancy product, used more for its decorative qualities than for consumption, though many are fond of the fruit both fresh and preserved. The rind is not removed, for its spicy flavor combines happily with the acid juice. For decoration, twigs are cut carrying several of the richly colored fruit nestling among glossy, dark green leaves. The kumquat grows on a shrub rather than a tree, as it seldom reaches a height of more than ten or fifteen feet and is gener- ally fully as wide as it is high and a mass of foliage. The two leading varieties are the oblong and the round, but the former is greatly to be preferred. The kumquat is quite hardy, especially when grown on trifoliate stock, and flourishes with a little protection in the extreme northern part of the State. Shaddock. The shaddock is raised only as a curiosity be- cause its fruit is so large, weighing sometimes as much as fifteen or twenty pounds. One variety has a pink pulp. The shaddock is often confounded with the grapefruit because they 8 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY are of the same species botanically, but to the consumer there is a vast difference with all points in favor of the grapefruit. Citron. The citron, which is of value only for its thick rind, from which can be made a product equal to the candied citron of commerce, will flourish in the extreme south and on the islands, but though this industry never has received much attention, even the little interest that has been shown it has died out and it is only occasionally one sees a tree left, and then rather on sufferance than because its owner cares for it. The best variety is called the Lemon Citron. The fruit weighs from three to eight pounds. Lime. The lime is our most sensitive member of the citrus family. It has become naturalized in the southern part of the State and the islands, and grows well under most adverse con- ditions. For some reason, though it is a most popular fruit, it has not proved a remunerative one generally to the grower w r ho has tried to cultivate it for profit. Whether this is a fault in the shipping or otherwise we are not prepared to say. Every settler should have two or three lime bushes for his home use, protecting them during cold spells when situated far enough north to need such protection. The common small Mexican lime is by far the most satisfactory. Individual specimens of the Raugpur and the Tahiti are larger and seem superior at first, b*ut one soon longs for the good old-fashioned lime. The Rangpur is of medium size and seems to be of the Man- darin family. Its abundant juice is a clear, strong acid, very pleasant to the taste, but not at all like a lime. Indeed, it is rather a mystery why this fruit is classed with limes. The Tahiti is a real lime of large size and very juicy and seedless. In Florida it is inclined to decay on the trees by the time it reaches maturity. Lemon. At one time the lemon industry in Florida was quite important, but it has dwindled to insignificant proportions. The lemon is too tender to be a sound financial proposition IDEAL FERTILIZERS 9 except in the extreme southern part of the State, and people have turned their investments into other channels. However, every home should have a tree or two. For this purpose the Everbearing is a favorite because of its constant fruitage, but the rind is altogether too rough and the seeds too plentiful to make it an article of commerce. The Villa Franca is also used. The tree is practically thornless and is prolific, while the fruit is most desirable in appearance as well as in quality. This variety has predominated in Florida plantings. Hybrids. There are several hybrids of more or less value that make a pleasant addition to one's home supply of fruit, but such trees are not on the market, and many of them have not been thoroughly tested, so we will not try to describe them here. Oranges. Years ago, when one was about to set an orange grove, he was confronted with a score or more varieties all clamoring for first and greatest attention. Those varieties have been dropped one by one, as they were found to be lacking in some essential point until the would-be grower of today finds only a few claimants for a place in a financial investment and perhaps a half dozen non-profitable favorites because of some special quality. We will quote from two equally good authorities, both having had wide experience throughout the State for the past thirty years. One has looked more to the orange grove that is also a home and the other has more thoroughly experi- enced the setting of great groves as a financial investment. The first says : "A very satisfactory proportion has been found by planting one-third of the grove to grapefruit, about one-half to oranges divided into early, medium and late varieties, and the remainder to Dancy's Tangerines. For the grapefruit the Duncan and the Indian River are good varieties, the former ripening the earlier, while Parson Brown, Pineapple and Valen- cia oranges furnish fruit at three different seasons. There are many other varieties, but as we cannot give space to all we simply name some of the best known." 10 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY The second tells us : "In planting a grove these days, when fruit is being handled in carlots more than in any other way, it would be the part of wisdom to select one good variety that is proving highly successful in the community, and let the entire grove be planted to that one variety. "Among the diversified lands of Florida we have here one piece that is particularly suited to grapefruit, and there we have another piece that is admirably suited to the production of early oranges, such as Parson Brown, etc. On still another place we have a piece of land containing a high precentage of iron and lime and well adapted to the production of highly colored and perfect specimens of the Pineapple orange. On other soils we have the moisture preserving and attracting nature that enables to grow and to hold over in perfect condition the Valencia Late or Hart's Late; and our varietal selection should be made with due consideration of all these points ; and if the land is suitable for any one class of fruit, like those de- scribed above, do not diversify on any particular ten-acre tract.'' The Parson Brown is medium to large in size, yellow in color, sometimes with orange tinge, rind smooth and bright. Its season is about October and November, and if it is not gathered when matured soon loses its flavor. Often the fruit will be rape and sweet when the rind is still green. The Pineapple is oval to round in shape, size medium to large, has deep rich orange color, often with reddish tinge, rind most attractive, being very bright, smooth and glossy. The juice is abundant and of exceptionally good flavor. Its season is about January or February, but it can be held later. Really, at the present time, this is the favorite orange because of its many good qualities, and the new orange groves set by old growers show a very large percentage of this variety. The Valencia Late and Hart's Late are so nearly alike their best friends make little or no distinction between them. They are round or slightly oval in form, medium and large size, deep IDEAL FERTILIZERS 11 golden orange in color with thin, smooth, tough rind. They have abundant juice of rich flavor, and such a combination of acidity and sweetness as to fc especially pleasing during the spring months March to June when they are in season. The oranges of the Mandarin family are so attractive in appearance and the neatness with which they can be handled that the effort to make them profitable has been a strenuous one. They are distinctly a fancy product, and any lack in ap- pearance or quality practically bars them from the market, for the epicure does not want them at all and the ordinary con- sumer only at extremely low prices. The grower must mid a generous market to make a profit, for the fruit is small, and therefore it takes a great many to a box and much work to wrap and pack them. If, however, the fruit is of the right quality and is put up in strictly fancy packages it will bring him pleas- ing returns. Of the several varieties included in this family, rhe Dancy Tangerine is the only one which, when grown under Florida conditions, seems to develop sufficient fruit of the right quality to make it profitable. It is oblate in form, medium size, deep orange red. smooth, shiny rind which is easily removed, sections separate easily, flesh dark orange in color, coarse grained, abundant juice, scarcely any rag, flavor rich ; season, December and January. Of the special favorites we will mention but three. The King is of the Mandarin family. Is most unattractive in appear- ance, but of delicious flavor. Wood is very l.rittle and branches break when well loaded with fruit. The Ruby Blood orange has a delicious flavor and is interesting because its flesh is first yellow, then streaked with red and finally becomes blood-red when fully ripe. The fruit is of small size and the tree very susceptible to attacks of diseases. The Washington Navel is also a novelty because of the secondary orange in the blossom end giving it the navel-like appearance, and is delicious to the taste. It is a great commercial success in California, but has proved a very shy bearer in Florida. 12 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY It is from the oranges described above that the orange grower now makes his choice. He plants for early, medium or late shipment as suits him personally, or the location he has selected, and if he decides to cater to the tangerine epicure's taste, he plants the Dancy. He no longer weighs and re-weighs the respective merits of a dozen different varieties of each class. Grapefruit. But the grove-maker of today is likely to be more interested in grapefruit than oranges. The increasing demand for this product is incredible, and the hundreds of acres that have come into bearing the past two or three years seem to have no effect upon the high prices prevailing. Many are making a large portion or even all their new plantings of grape- fruit rather than oranges. In such case they generally select the Duncan as the most satisfactory variety. It is oblate in form, of medium size, attractive appearance and fine flavor. It bears freely, but not in such close clusters as to mar the fruit, and is desirable in every way. Other Varieties. To those who have a favorite variety not mentioned in the above list, we would say, we in no way class all unmeutioned fruit as worthless. This book is not intended to include full data on the subject; we are simply pointing out to the would-be investor the kinds that have given the best results generally, and we are sure none can deny that position to the ones we have named whatever special successes he may have known. IDEAL FERTILIZERS 13 CHAPTER IV. Planting the Trees In the "good old days" the greater number of groves were started from the seed. Sweet seedlings were numerous, and where other stock was used it generally was raised in some ob- scure corner and grafted, or more often budded, with wood from some favorite tree either growing on the home place or owned by a neighbor. Failures of the buds to take were many at first, but the knack of budding was soon gained, for it was necessary knowledge at that time. There were no well established nurseries, and in the rare instances where budded stock could be bought one could not feel sure he was getting desirable trees, and it was too great a risk to run. These conditions are so completely changed that we feel justified in omitting the chapter on propagation that appears in all citrus publications. The grove-maker of today has no thought of this preliminary work ; he is in haste to see his trees fruiting and finds budded stock at hand offered by nurserymen upon whom he can depend to give him buds true to name and free from disease and insects trees that are neither forced nor stunted, strictly first class nursery stock. That is, he can get such trees by paying their market value. There are always trees that are "oft" quality," old and stunted, weaklings, ill-shaped specimens, etc., that can be bought "cheap," but he who buys them pays dearly for his bargain before they come to bearing. Stock. The sour orange stock has proved itself best adapted to all kinds of soil and most resistant to diseases. It is almost immune to foot rot so prevalent on sweet orange or rough lemon stock. Grapefruit stock promises well and is highly favored by 14 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY many, but it has not been so thoroughly tested as the sour orange. It roots extremely deep and is best suited to our higher lands. So far there has not been shown to be any difference between grapefruit and sour orange stock as to vigor of tree or quality of fruit. Size. There is a difference in opinion as to the best age of trees set. To the investor who has plenty of capital, it is a great temptation to pay a higher price and get a nice, big tree with a two-year-old bud, but it has been the experience of the greater number that a two or three-year-old stock with a one-year-old bud stands transplanting better than the older tree, and when put side by side will be larger and thriftier two years after setting. Nursery stock should be neither forced nor stunted, and should be grown on a lighter, drier soil than in the proposed grove rather than on heavier, wetter land. When to Set Trees. The best time to set trees is from the middle of November to the middle of February, though with proper handling, it is safe to move an orange tree at almost any time. Trees must be kept damp from the taking up until they are set in the ground. Many a tree gets its death stroke between the nursery and the grove, though it may struggle along some months before it finally succumbs. Pruning. Do not make the mistake of trying to keep too much top. The top should be cut off about one-and-a-half or two feet above the ground. The roots should be cut to about a foot in length, with the tap root about one-and-a-half feet. The ends should be cut smooth, not broken or crushed. Distance. There are many opinions in regard to what is the most profitable space for a tree. Our personal preference is to have orange trees twenty-five feet apart in rows thirty feet wide. When well grown the branches will meet in the rows, but a team can pass between the rows. For economy and effectiveness of labor, it is necessary to use teams, which would IDEAL FERTILIZERS 15 be impossible in groves set much closer than this. The closely set groves yield a much greater income the first few years at least. Their advocates say they continue to do so, but all the owners of old closely set groves we have seen wish they had more space. Many prospective growers have it figured out on paper that they could afford to cut down every other tree when the grove is eight or ten years old, but unfortunately, the profits on citrus culture show to just the same advantage on paper as compared with real practice as do the profits on any other kind of business. The man who said "figures don't lie" never figured out any financial proposition dependent upon labor and climatic conditions, and then tried to make actual practice match his figures. Final Preparation. Low ground should be plowed into beds the width of the rows before setting the stakes to mark places for the trees. Shallow cultivation should immediately follow the plowing and be repeated after every rain. The land should be left to settle at least a month before planting. If some hard rains come, so much the better. Care should be taken to set the stakes exact, in straight rows and equal distance apart. Around each stake spread a peck of hardwood ashes. When the hole is dug the ashes will become thoroughly mixed with the soil. Holes. Pull the dirt from around the stake with a hoe, leaving the ground in the shape of an inverted saucer, the bottom edge being about a foot deep. Drive a stake in the ground to make a hole for the tap root. Setting the Trees. Place the tree in the hole and spread the roots evenly. If a root is longer than the width of the hole allows, do not pinch off the end or turn it to one side, as so many do, but dig out a place for it to extend full length in a natural position. Set the tree an inch higher than it was in the nursery as it will settle some, and a tree set too low never prospers. Pull part of the dirt over the roots and pour in a 16 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY bucket of water, holding the bucket at least two feet above the ground so the water will fall with force. Pull more dirt around the trees and pack tightly, mounding up a little in the shape of a saucer. Pour on another bucket of water and then mulch with dry dirt to prevent evaporation. There should be no delay in the work from the time the dirt is first disturbed until the mulching is in place, thus preserving the natural moisture of the soil. Care. The trees will need no further attention for several weeks unless the season is especially dry, in which case water should be given very sparingly until the rains come. The dry mulch should be replaced each time the trees are watered. Too much water will cause the soil to sour and give the trees a serious setback. Fertilizer. It will be noted that we advise no fertilizer at the time of planting. About the first of February give each tree a pound of our W. & T.'s Special Mixture No. 1 or Seminole Tree Grower or Special Peruvian Grower or Peruvian Orange Tree Grower, spreading it in a circle around, but not too close to the tree, and hoeing or raking it in. A little later plant cowpeas in the middles to be used as described in Chapter II. In June and September two more applications of one pound of fertilizer can be made. The second year the trees should use two pounds of fertilizer at each application, and the third year three pounds. After this the amount can be rapidly increased if the trees are doing well, for the fourth year should find them commencing to bear fruit. Training. Generally speaking, the citrus tree knows better how it wants to grow than does the one who interferes with its development. It does not hurt it to bear fruit young, as is the case with many other fruit trees. All sprouts below the bud should be rubbed off, but the sprouts above the bud should be left unless they seem especially crowded, in which case it will be best to pinch off the tops of some of the shoots. After the IDEAL FERTILIZERS 17 trees get well started they may need "shaping up" a little but no extensive pruning should be done. Dead wood is a great source of infection; if any occurs it should be removed, the cut being made back to an elbow and left a smooth slant. Cultivation. Young trees should be hoed deep, so as to make the roots strike down. The middles can be plowed in spring. Cultivation should be kept up all through the dry season to conserve moisture. When the summer rains commence the ground should be covered either with natural growth of grass or weeds or a planted cover crop. Our personal choice of cover crops would be cowpeas. This growth must not be allowed to "smother" the roots of trees. There should be a heavy mulch of dead vegetation for at least three feet from the trunk. This mulch must not touch the trunk of the tree or wood lice will be likely to nest there. When the weather gets cool the mulch- ing should be drawn away to allow all the warmth possible to reach the young roots. The cover crop can either be allowed to die down naturally as the season is over or be mowed and left broadcast to be disked in before next plowing. Never work the soil when saturated with water or during the heat of summer, and never plow in green vegetation. These are three causes for acid soils. It is a mistake to try to "garden" in a young grove. Give the land over to the interest of your trees entirely if you would have them prosper, and if you wish to garden, take other land. Tt will pay you in the end. 18 WILSON & TOOME1I FERTILIZER COMPANY CHAPTER V. Culture Now we have our grove fairly started and are face to face with the problem of cultivation. In our first chapter we spoke of a tree having certain needs. Cultivation is in a great measure the means by which we are to supply those needs, so to under- stand the matter thoroughly let us give brief attention to general conditions underground, for successful cultivation is not a mere stirring of the soil. It is the bringing of Nature's forces to work for our benefit. Our first need is to examine the tree, after which we can better understand its relation to the soil. One of our workers read a paper on plant life before the State Horticultural Society, at Orlando, May, 1910. which was so heartily received by the leading scientists and horticulturists of the State that we feel we can do no better than to quote from it in this instance, and also in the chapter on fertilizers in regard to the effect of differ- ent materials : "Whether tree or vegetable, the process of growing is prac- tically the same. There are three distinct parts the roots, the stem and the foliage. Different vegetations have different root systems, but. all are alike in that there is no real opening into the roots, therefore all nourishment must be taken in liquid form; also in that it is only near the tips of the rootlets that the absorption of liuids osmosis, it is called can take place. "The extreme tip of a rootlet is protected by a hard cap, that it may push its way through the soil, while its 'feeding' section is often covered with hair-like protuberances, multiply- ing the surface many times. These tiny rootlets also give off IDEAL FERTILIZERS 19 certain acids which render soluble much plant food that cannot be dissolved by water alone. "It is a root's nature to avoid light and to seek moisture. It will go in the line of the least resistance, growing around ob- structions, and wherever a good feeding ground is found rootlets are formed rapidly, giving full service to the plant which they support. If, however, the environment is not congenial, rootlets wither and die, and the plant receives no nourishment from that portion of its root system. Roots demand a proper supply of both air and water. To supply this demand the grower must cultivate his soil properly. Lumpy soil is bad for several reasons. The hard lumps act as obstructions, wasting the energy ot the roots as they grow around them and check capillary action by the large spaces between them. The excess of air in these spaces rapidly dries out any moisture that the rains may give such soil, so that often the rootlets die in the attempt to encompass such obstructions. Plants must have water, not only for itself, but as a vehicle of food. The ability to hold moisture decides to a great degree the productiveness of a soil. Fine particles of soil not only increase capillary action by which underground water is brought to the plant's service, but they present much greater surface to retain the rain water and to be acted upon by dissolvent forces. We all know how much more readily a lump of sugar dissolves when crushed, and in the same way all other things yield to dissolution according to the surface exposed to attack. Soil should hold water in a film around each particle as seen on an orange that has just been dipped in water and this is all it will retain when there is a chance for the water to pass off. If there is a lack of drainage so water fills the spaces between these particles, there is no room for air, and therefore the supply of oxygen necessary to our friendly bacteria is shut off and trouble begins. "We must not look upon the earth as an inert mass. A fer- tile soil is alive with bacteria. Bacteria are the lowest form of 20 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY vegetable life tiny one-celled plants but their influence for good or ill is incalculable. We, who are working the soil, are more especially interested in nitrifying bacteria which are essen- tial in changing nitrogen to nitric acid, or in other words, making the element, nitrogen, available for plant food. These bac- teria can thrive only where there are the right degrees of mois- ture and heat, and freedom from acid conditions ; hence, another great value in perfect tilth and proper drainage. On the other hand, where excessive moisture and acidity exist, the denitrify- ing bacteria thrive. These tiny plants take oxygen from seem- ingly every combination found, but their work is especially noticeable where, by the breaking up of these combinations, it sets the element nitrogen free and thus allows it to escape from the soil. Thus poor tilth and drainage not only prevent an in- crease of fertility but cause actual loss of the most valuable plant food the soil contains. "We have dwelt in particular upon the desirability of having fine soil particles, but it is possible to have soil too fine to give best results. This is sometimes the case in clay lands and is particularly true in "puddled" soil, for "puddling" the soil is done by disturbing it when there is so much water present as to allow the soil grains to move freely about and become placed in the most. compact position. This prevents proper circulation of air and often causes so much trouble from the effects on bacterial conditions and the general texture of the soil that it will take two or three years to overcome the results of a few hours ill- advised cultivation. "There has been so much agitation about the necessity of supplying humus to the land that every grower recognizes the value of humus, though often he is rather bewildered as to the reasons therefor. Hunius is plant food to be sure, but that is its least value. It retains moisture and with it the plant food this moisture contains. It is said that a soil well-filled with humus will hold eight times as much water as one entirely lacking this IDEAL FERTILIZERS 21 valuable constituent. Humus is a most congenial dwelling place and also a food for nitrifying bacteria, therefore, causes great multiplication of these useful organisms. Humus also does much good by improving the texture of the soil. When the land is sandy and too open, the finer particles of humus help to correct that condition ; and the humus is coarser than the soil particles of clay, so it opens up such land to freer circulation of air and all the accompanying benefits. One can hardly over-estimate the value of humus, but still he must realize that its greatest value comes through the retention of plant-food-ladened soil water, which otherwise would carry its precious burden onward to the drains. "When the vegetation which produces this humus is grown on the ground over summer the fresh green blanket protects the soil from the excessive heat of the sun and thereby removes a great factor in the creation of acid conditions. However, the grower should never turn under this green vegetation or its fermentation will cause it to be a source of great harm instead of benefit. It should be dead and dry before being incorporated with the soil. "Land should be thoroughly prepared before planting any kind of crop, whether it be grove or garden, and thereafter worked with due care for the roots. It is not consistent to strive to create a root system to feed trees or plants and then deliber- ately impair that system to such an extent as to reduce its strength from 25 to 50 per cent ; yet that is what many a grower does time and again. During proper seasons land should be given shallow cultivation to conserve moisture by creating a dust mulch and to avoid a crusting over which shuts off the circulation of air, but this cultivation should never disturb the plant's roots." Thus, we find the whole secret in good cultivation is to sup- ply a proper amount of air and water and congenial bacterial conditions. It sounds simple enough, but to accomplish it re- 22 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY quires rare judgment. If the worker could see the damage he so often does when he is striving to benefit his trees, it would be a revelation. The general principles are all included in the above quotation, and each one must take such means as are necessary to bring abxmt the right conditions on his land. Some land needs shallow plowing, some deeper, other land needs no plowing at all. The cut-a-way harrow is the right im- plement to use in many groves, while still others are better off never to disturb the ground outside a wide circle around each tree, which should be hoed three times a year and covered with heavy mulch. The natural grass is allowed to grow, being cut from time to time with a mowing machine and left on the ground. These groves are on damp ground, and often despite good ditches would be too wet through the rainy season were it not for the great amount of moisture used by this heavy growth of grass. Some people have said they did not want to fertilize grass and weeds, that fertilizing the trees was all they could afford. So long as no growth is removed from the land they get full benefit of all fertilizer applied, for the plant food lost in the energy of grow- ing the grass is more than balanced by that saved from leaching away in the drainage. On lands only fairly well watered clean cultivation through the spring months is almost imperative for the purpose of conserving moisture. By this method one can make a difference in the water content equal to several inches of rain- fall. He also can culthate so as to increase the evaporation and make the land drier than ever. To conserve moisture the ground should be stirred only on the surface and left as smooth as possible. This should be done every few days and is especially necessary soon after a rain. Often in the case of a light shower the surface is barely moistened enough to touch the moisture below, and far more water will evaporate through this connection than has fallen unless prompt action is taken. On dry, sandy lands it is better to plant cowpeas or a similar cover crop over summer, for the native growth is not likely to be IDEAL FERTILIZERS 23 heavy enough and of the right kind to give the best i-esults. Such lands can be made quite fertile in a few years by careful attention to the humus content, while lands that are too close and heavy to give the best results can be made more open and friable in the same way. We are now ready to close this chapter, but it is not com- plete without mention of the "clean culture" method. All we can say about this is that in a few a very few of the best groves in the State we find clean culture. This fact cannot be disputed, Imt the land was very rich at first and has had immense quantities of fertilizer applied; still, Nature's provision does not last indefinitely, and chemicals cannot fill the place of humus, so each year sees fewer "clean culture" groves. One may as well hope to draw money from the bank continually without making deposits as to hope to remove crops of any kind year after year without making a return of the most im- portant constituent of the soil. 24 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY CHAPTER IV. Fertilizer "The plant needs in its construction ten different elements, but Nature makes a bountiful provision for all except nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, and sometimes calcium, so we need to study only these which we have occasion to supply. Chemistry teaches us that plant food is plant food wherever found, but practical experience teaches us that the form and surroundings of that plant food have great influence on its effect. "In all animal substances as well as in vegetable matter, the breaking down of existing combinations which we call decay creates more or less acidity according to the condition and sur- roundings of these substances. If there is an abundant supply of air, enough but not too much moisture, and the temperature is neither too high nor too low, nitrates are formed from the nitrogen and the humus contained in the vegetable or animal matter is a valuable addition to the land. So, under right con- ditions, organic sources of plant food, though the slowest of all ammoniates, are desirable except for the citrus family. But if the weather be cold or the soil lacking in moisture, the decay is so slow as to be scarcely perceptible, while if there is an excess of water, deleterious compounds are formed in place of nitrates, and instead of plant food we have plant poison. This latter con- dition readily arises under the combined influences of the sum- mer's heat and heavy rains. "We have noted the needed presence of certain bacteria to transform the element nitrogen to plant food. Their work is to combine oxygen with nitrogen to make nitric acid. After they have done this, it is most important that there be at hand a g-HO btfi IK 2 "~B. l'5o IDEAL FERTILIZERS 25 bountiful supply of base to unite with this nitric acid and form nitrates, and to neutralize not only the nitric acid but all other acids. If base is lacking it must be supplied before good results can be obtained, and it is at such times that we need a knowl- edge of the different forms of calcium. The form generally pre- ferred is the carbonate of lime found in ashes, air-slaked lime, and crushed limestone, but the hydrated and the "quick" or caustic lime, have their places. "The chemical nitrates are the quickest acting sources of ammonia that we can apply, as they are ready for the plant's use as soon as dissolved and so deliquescent that they invariably find enough moisture to dissolve them, therefore they are most valuable to start a quick growth, especially in a dry season. The great drawback to their use for a full supply of nitrogen is the waste that is bound to occur when rains come before the plant has used it all. Nitrate of soda and nitrate of potash are our general sources of this form of plant food at the present time, though calcium nitrate is knocking at the door of the fertilizer market. The nitrate in each of these materials is in exactly the same form. The soda in one and the lime in another tending to sweeten the soil, while the potash in the nitrate of potash is the straight K 2 O plant food. Another chemical used is sulphate of ammonia which in its action is slower than the nitrates but quicker than organic mat- ter, even when favorable conditions surround the latter. It also is surer in its action and free from the disagreeable features attending the change of organic nitrogen to ammonia. The continued use of this chemical will call for an application of lime, as its chemical reactions in the soil cause loss of lime, but this is a small drawback in comparison with its incalculable value, especially to the citrus grower. "Much attention has been given to the effects these varying sources have upon plant life. -Generally speaking, the citrus tree demands chemical sources, the pineapple, organic sources, while 26 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY the garden products need the different sources in well-balanced proportions. These sources are all classed as ainmomates. "Now we come to the essential termed 'phosphoric acid' anothex- misnomer for there is no real acid in any properly prepared fertilizer. All chemical fertilizers are in the form of salts. A salt, as explained in last years paper, is the result of an acid being destroyed by a base displacing the hydrogen. In nitrate of soda, sodium has driven out the hydrogen, while in nitrate of potash, hydrogen has been exchanged for potash. In the flrst, the plant extracts the nitrogen from the radicle of the acid, while in the last it takes food from both radicle and base. In sulphate of ammonia, it is the base we think about as furnishing plant food after the necessary nitrifying process, though both isulphur and oxygen are essential to the plant's development. In the sulphates of potash it is also the base that is bought for food. The ammonia in sulphate of ammonia and the potash in the sulphates of potash are combined with the radicle of sulphuric acid exactly the same part of sulphuric acid that exists in sulphate of lime and every other sulphate just the sulphur and oxygen. There is no possibility of reaction taking place, for the hydrogen has been defeated in a fair fight. The base has stronger attractions or it could not have displaced it. It is on this principle of a fair fight and no favor that our phosphoric acid is made available for use. The radicle of phosphoric acid is the form from which the plant gets its phosphorus, but in the natural state this radicle is in such close combination with lime that neither water nor the exudations from the plant roots can do much in the way of breaking the chemical forces; but, fortunately for the grower, the chemist's skill can overcome this difficulty and we have either dissolved bone or superphosphate to apply to our fields, knowing that in both ingredients we have a mono-calcium phos- phate and a sulphate of lime. The same form of plant food is in each, but it is accompanied by a little more sulphate of lime in the superphosphate than in the dissolved bone. This sulphate of lime IDEAL FERTILIZERS 27 is really no plant food, but it has a wonderful influence on the crops because of the chemical changes caused by its presence in the soil, through which much latent plant food becomes available. Such an agent is termed a 'catalyzer,' and it is now generally recognized that phosphoric acid is also a great catalyzer, and that it well pays to apply far more than is actually needed by the plant, because of this quality. Another effect of a large phos- phoric acid content is a tendency to hasten maturity. This is a detriment in the raising of some crops, beans and celery, for instance, but the citrus grower who wishes to avail himself of the advantages of an early market finds this fact of great value. "Basic slag is another source of phosphoric acid. It is very slow acting and its value is still undetermined. "Peruvian guano is called a phosphatic fertilizer, b-ut con- tains some of all four essentials. Though of organic origin, it cannot be classed as an organic fertilizer, really, for its condition is such that although it has all the virtue of organic matter it has none of the evils, therefore it can be used in citrus culture. Indeed, under some circumstances and when reinforced with the correct proportions of the proper chemicals, it stands pre-eminent. "We have" given considerable force to the word available because in both ammoniates and phosphatic goods the 'plant food' is so likely to be useless to the plant. When there is an abund- ance of unavailable plant food in even the poorest soils, why add more? The value in applied fertilizer is in its quick results. If we have to wait until the next year or the next generation to get returns for the money invested this year we are losing the use of our money, for there is only the plant food we have paid for and the longer it stays in the soil the longer our -money is locked up. Some people have expatiated upon the effects shown in after years. A certain amount of plant food will produce only certain results and the longer it takes for it to produce these results, the more time there is for wastes through drainage, etc. A grower should build up the texture of his soil by proper tillage and the 28 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY addition of humus, but Nature has forestalled him in furnishing unavailable plant foods. "All our potashes are water soluble and in the same form whether from organic sources, ashes, or from the different potash salts nitrate, sulphates, muriate or kaiiiit. They differ only as to their surroundings. The organic source used is pulverized tobacco stems and the one drawback is the extreme high cost. This precludes its general use. The potash in ashes also costs so high that ashes are invariably bought because of other quali- ties and not for their potash content. We have already taken up nitrate of potash under the nitrates, and dealt with sulphate of potash under our talk about acids. We would mention, however, that the low grade sulphate of potash contains a large percentage of sulphate of magnesia and is liked by the citrus grower because this magnesia acts readily as a base inducing chemical reactions which bring latent plant food into availability. Muriate of potash is the richest of the potash salts, but because of its chlorine content cannot be used on certain crops. It is especially un- desirable for citrus trees and tobacco. Kainit has even more chlorine, part of which is in combination with sodium, making about one-third of kainit our ordinary salt. This is quite effective in vegetable raising for driving away insects and preventing some diseases, but for many crops would need to be applied at least a month before planting or it would 'burn' the plants. "Thus we have much to think about when trying to supply food to vegetation just what sources just what proportion each of the different forms of ammonia used should make of the whole ammonia content, that there be no lack, no waste just how much phosphoric acid and potash to put with this ammonia to give exact balance to this particular crop. It is a long, long lesson and one that must be worked out in the field. But when it comes to mixing these ingredients, how many times does the lack of chemical knowledge cause great loss? I know, person- ally, one prominent gardener who mixes ashes with his fertilizer IDEAL FERTILIZERS 29 and chuckles as he smells the escaping ammonia, because the mixture is so strong. It has often seemed to me that one of the wisest sayings I have ever heard in regard to home mixing of fertilizer was: 'The man who knows enough to mix his fertilizer, generally knows enough not to.' " A careful study of the above quotation (see Chapter V.) will give one a very clear idea of the action of the different materials from which fertilizer formulas are made. Every grower should thoroughly understand these points that he may select formulas suited to his purpose. Pie cannot, though, reasonably hope to be able to construct a formula off-hand superior to those which have been developed through years of grove work shared by many experienced growers throughout the State. Ideal formulas have all been created in this way. It is a mistaken idea for a grower to hold that all fertilizer men figure out some combination of chem- icals on paper, really knowing nothing of the practical end. Nearly all the leading workers in our staff have owned groves for years and have had all the ups and downs of a grove-maker's life, just the same as other growers, and hold their present positions because they are successful. In their travels through the State they have had a chance to profit by -the experiences of many others. AVe feel that they have had rather exceptional ad- vantages and have benefited by them. However, we by no means limit ourselves to home talent. We gather information from every possible source and are constantly working in co-operation w r ith many leading growers. Some of our formulas are due entirely to our friends, while many have reached perfection through their assistance. In fact, while we give analysis full consideration and ever seek to have our formulas supply all of each plant food the tree can use to advantage, and at the same time to give no excess to unbalance the proportions, causing at least waste of money, if not actual damage to the tree, we realize that source of plant food is fully as important as analysis. Nothing tmt high-grade 30 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY materials go into our citrus fertilizers no kainit, muriate of potash, or fish scrap but eren among the high-grade sources there is a great difference in effects and each has its place depending on the kind of soil and the result desired. When a formula meets these demands we feel it deserves the name Ideal and place it on our regular list. In the list of Ideal formulas you will find something to suit your conditions, with the price based on the actual market value of its ingredients. There is no charge for the knowledge nec- essary to turn out such a perfect product. If you are in doubt as to which best suits your needs, we are glad to advise you. W. & T.'s Special Mixture No. 1 is undoubtedly the best all around growing formula ever put upon the market. It does good work in all kinds of land and for all vegetation. Many of the finest groves in the State have been brought to bearing on this formula and receive liberal appli- cations of it every spring. It is especially valuable in bringing out neglected groves, or creating new heads from old stock. We have made this mixture for years and it has constantly brought us new friends by the good work it has done. Seminole Tree Grower This is purely chemical a happy medium between a growing formula and a fruit and vine manure. It is especially fitted to produce strong, healthy growth either on young trees or in spring-time on bearing groves. In young groves we particularly recommend it for summer application. Note the high-grade sources and the well balanced proportions. Special Peruvian Grower We have here a rich, well balanced, growing formula, con- taining 900 pounds Genuine Peruvian Guano as a base, supple- IDEAL FERTILIZERS 31 mented with the most effective materials known to the trade. It affords quick action as furnished by chemical manures, lasting action as furnished hy organic manures, and is the Ideal com- bination of Ideal materials to produce Ideal results. Peruvian Orange Tree Grower This is the highest grade growing formula on the market both as to sources and amount of plant food it carries. It is based on a large content of Peruvian guano and reinforced by suitable materials. It is of equal value for young trees and for spring application to bearing groves and the summer application on grapefruit and tangerines. As one of many examples of its Held work see page 27 in our booklet entitled "Ideal Results from Ideal Fertilizers." W. & T.'s Special Orange Tree Grower A formula made from Peruvian guano and high-grade fertilizer materials with an analysis to suit those desiring less ammonia than in our Peruvian Orange Tree Grower and a far smaller potash content. Sources and mechanical condition fully guaranteed. Ideal Fruit and Vine Manure is strictly chemical and from high grade sources. It has many staunch supporters who have used it year after year and say that it gives more good quality for the money than anything sold in the State. W. & T.'s Special Fruit and Vine Manure is adapted to the general conditions and has been used for years by the greater number of successful growers throughout the State who want a higher analysis than that given by Ideal Fruit and Vine Manure. It is purely chemical, derives its ammonia S2 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY from the slow acting sulphate of ammonia and carries a high percentage of same for a fruit and vine formula which makes it very effective in producing the results desired in summer, especially as its content of phosphoric acid and potash from the highest grade sources is in correct proportion to give to the fruit all required qualities and mature the wood perfectly. W. & T.'s High Grade Fruit and Vine is another formula made from chemical sources exclusively and is used particularly on low hammock lands and for the purpose of hastening the maturity of the fruit. We made this mixture several years for one of our valued customers before we became sufficiently convinced of its value to put it upon the open market, but the work it has done in his grove during all this time is enough to convince the most skeptical. His fruit is of the highest grade and invariably well ripened up and ready for ship- ment several weeks before that of his neighbors. Peruvian Fruit and Vine Manure This formula is especially suited to light sandy soils and meets -the requirements of those who desire a strictly natural fertilizer. It is based upon pure Peruvian guano and ground bone and reinforced with high grade materials to make a perfectly balanced fertilizer. It is one that can he depended upon, not only for its effect upon trees and fruit but it will help to build up the land. W. & T.'s Fruit and Vine Manure A fruit and vine mixture with exceedingly low ammonia content. Made from Peruvian guano, nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammonia, nitrate of potash and sulphate of potash. Sources and mechanical condition fully guaranteed. IDEAL FERTILIZERS 3.'5 Seminole Fruit and Vine Manure is for hammock and very rich pine lands, carrying a low content of ammonia and deriving part of same from organic sources. For some conditions this has been found to give wonderfully good results. Ideal Blood, Bone and Potash is rather slow acting and has been found very satisfactory on some lands. Ideal Fertilizers Full descriptions and prices of the above formulas will be found in our booklet entitled Ideal Fertilizers. Sent free on request. Our factory previous to 1905. 34 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY CHAPTER VII. Fertilizer Values Fertilizer has three distinct values the practical value determined by field results, the State valuation determined by its analysis reckoned at the price per unit fixed by the State Chemist, and the market value which depends upon the market price of the ingredients used. The practical value is by far the most important. It often takes years, though, to settle upon the true worth of a formula. Iii some seasons conditions are such that good results can be obtained from almost any kind of a mixture, or again fertilizer may give luxuriant growth but induce diseased conditions or perhaps even make a good plant but cause unproductivity or a poor grade of fruit. In a citrus grove in particular the good or ill effects of fertilizer are often quite slow in developing. It is this point that makes an old formula much to be desired. When one sees a healthy and prolific grove that has used a certain line of formulas several years he has good proof that those formulas are of practical value. It is just such proof of the superiority of Ideal brands that we can show in all parts of the State. There positively is no other brand of fertilizer that can show so many profitable groves that have used its formulas steadily for several years, as can the Ideal. Ideal not only induces growth and general health but it tends to great fruitfulness. Many groves now bearing heavy crops of fancy fruit were apparently in good condition but bore so little as to be unprofitable until given Ideal Fertilizers according to Ideal methods. Note we say according to Ideal methods. We do not claim the word "Ideal" does this IDEAL FERTILIZERS 35 work. One might use Ideal brands so unadvisedly as not to obtain the desired results. Each formula is created to fill cer- tain needs, and to give the best results must be used wisely. In our various pamphlets we deal extensively with this subject, but are always glad to take it up even more fully through per- sonal correspondence. The State valuation is a quick way to compare the worth of the plant food offered in different formulas. It cannot be counted as a true value because the prices set are for the three essentials at seaports and make no distinctions in regard to sources. The phosphoric acid derived from bone black is worth fifty per cent, more on the market than that derived from super- phosphate, yet it is accounted in State valuations as worth just the same. Ammonia and potash also vary in cost, though not to so great an extent. Neither are the handling of the materials, storage, office work and other legitimate expenses in running any kind of a business taken into consideration. For comparison, though., this makes no difference, for each manufacturer has practically the same conditions to face. The prices settled upon by the State are: $3.05 per unit of Ammonia, 1.00 per unit of Available Phosphoric Acid, .20 per unit of Insoluble Phosphoric Acid, 1.10 per unit of Potash. A "unit" of plant food is twenty pounds or 1% of a ton. Thus, a formula carrying 4% of ammonia has four units of ammonia and lacks $3.65 of being worth as much as one carrying 5% of ammonia and the same content of available phosphoric acid and potash. But suppose this last formula has 1% more potash than the first. The potash is worth $1.10. so the difference in value of the two formulas would be $2.55. We have known many simply to add the units of plant food in each formula with no thought of the fact that one per cent, of ammonia is worth more than three 36 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY times as much as a per cent, of either available phosphoric acitl or potash. In comparing formulas in this way, the sources should be the same, or a mental reservation should be made in favor of the one using the highest priced materials. In this way one can quickly see where he is getting the most for his money. We should mention another point to which this valuation by units is sure to lead. Perhaps the formula runs 4% ammonia. 6% available phosphoric acid and 8% potash. One soon realizes he is getting 360 pounds of plant food in a ton of fertilizer and many times immediately concludes the manufacturer is using 1,640 pounds of "filler" on which he has to pay freight, etc., and that he had better buy the materials and "know just what he is getting." Well, what does he get when he buys materials? In nitrate of soda he gets 17 pounds of plant food to each hundred pounds he buys. In sulphate of ammonia he gets 25 pounds in every hundred; in bone black and superphosphate, 16 pounds and in the sulphates of potash, 26 pounds and 49 pounds. Thus even when he buys materials, a large percentage is not plant food. This has to be for it would not be practical to separate the pure plant food from these combinations or to handle or use it after it was separated. The use of filler is not at all desired by the fertilizer manufacturer, for all fillers are an expense for whicli he gets no credit. His fertilizer is valued for the amount of plant food it contains and the materials carrying this plant food furnish practically all the ton of fertilizer except in formulas of very low analysis. The market value will show if the price charged is excessive for the material used. Fertilizer materials are quoted at prac- tically the same figures by all dealers, yet Ideal brands are the only ones not priced several dollars in excess of the amount for which these materials could be bought, mixed and bagged. Of course, in buying the materials in this way, the grower misses the exact proportions that give great value to a formula when several kinds of plant food are used. He would be sure of getting IDEAL FERTILIZERS 37 the same mixture only when there were just three ingredients and then he would have to allow for excess of analysis the same as does the manufacturer, but we do not charge for the propor- tioning of these ingredients. It has been said we could not put up certain formulas from the materials claimed to be used for the money we ask for them. Our one reply is to ask that who- ever doubts our ability to do so figure a little on the matter and see for himself. One never will find our prices too low to be consistent with furnishing the materials we claim to use. and our guarantee on sources and mechanical condition is as strong as on analysis. There are strictly legitimate reasons why we can give good value for the money. We have had long experience in the fertiliser markets in all parts of the world and have ample capital to buy materials in large quantities and at the most favor- able times. Two of the leading railroads have laid their tracks to our factory and ocean steamships can unload at our wharf, so we secure the lowest freight rates possible and delivery is made and shipments taken at our door. Our factory is equipped throughout with labor-saving devices, therefore our fertilizer is handled at minimum cost. Our trade is so immense (twice that of our largest competitor in the State) that the office expenses are much less per ton than is possible in a smaller business. Our every condition is favorable for economy and we give our cus- tomers (he henofil. While we make (he best, we can and do sell the cheapest. 227123 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY CHAPTER VITI. Fertilizing The following directions for fertilizing are the result of over thirty years' careful study and practical experience. We have taken into consideration the laws that govern the growth of citrus trees, the development of the fruit from blossom to maturity, the analysis of the wood and fruit and the conditions of our soil and climate; and the good results the Ideal method of fertilization has given for years in all parts of the State speak most emphatically of its merit. Spring Fertilizing Our method advocating three applications of fertilizer a year is followed by a greater number of the successful growers, but there are many who are tempted to skip either the summer or the fall application. Some are inclined to feel that after the crop is on the trees it is sure to be matured and fail to realize the loss to them in the small sized fruit and the limited growth made during the summer the tree is left to its own resources. Others appreciate these points, but feel the trees do not need the fall application because they see no growth or development in any way to show benefit from it. That the trees are more vigorous and respond more fully to the spring application after having received fall fertilizer is only too often accredited to other circumstances. But whatever may be the attitude towards other applications, spring fertilizing is acknowledged by all to be essential. At this season there is an unexplainable current of life that pulsates throughout the whole animal and vegetable world. "Spring's impulse" it is often called, and who can deny its influence? The one trouble about its effect on an orange grove is that the grower awakes to the fact that "spring has IDEAL FERTILIZERS 39 come" at the time the buds are bursting and new leaves formiug, or perhaps even not until the bloom begins to show. He then responds to the call of his trees, but is at least two weeks too late to give them the greatest help. Their first and strongest impulse is passed and though they will act on the new supply of material, second efforts are never so forcible as are the first. A tree is Nature's factory and like all other factories, must limit its output to the raw material at hand. The plant food was not ready when needed, therefore, we have lost part of the growth the tree would have made; yet our fertilizer costs us just as much money as it would have done if purchased at the proper time. It does not pay to be guided by one's moods. The success- ful man looks ahead and provides for the conditions he knows are going to exist. And, too, during the dormant stage many insects deposit their eggs upon the old leaves. When a strong, rapid growth takes place and the new leaves are well rounded out, the old leaves are dis- carded and fall to the ground, taking with them the millions of undeveloped eggs that in a short time would have hatched and spread over the foliage and fruit. Generally speaking, our spring opens from the 10th to the 20th of February and to have the plant food ready for the new growth it should be applied about two weeks before that time, so the roots can have it assimilated, and at this season, the fertilizer should be either plowed in or worked in with a cut-a- way harrow except on the low marl hammocks. We have five formulas that we offer for this spring applica- tion, each perfect in its way but suited to the different conditions found in different localities: W. & T.'s Special Mixture No. 1 Seminole Tree Grower Special Peruvian Grower Peruvian Orange Tree Grower W. & T.'s Special Orange Tree Grower 40 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY These fertilizers are made from high-grade materials and those best adapted to this season. They are easily soluble, for this is the time when we look for our worst droughts that do so much injury to the young fruit. We believe in plowing in the spring application on the pine land and high dry hammocks, because it turns the fertilizer down to the moist earth and gives a mulching of loose soil above the roots so that they do not dry out so much when the severe droughts come. Then, with frequent harrowing until the rainy season sets in, the moisture in the soil will L conserved and the young fruit will develop properly. If you are in doubt as to which formula suits your needs, write us fully and we shall be pleased to advise you. We have given this matter close study for over thirty years and are glad to give you the benefit of our experience. After deciding upon the formula, the question arises: How much fertilizer does the tree need at this time? We will suppose we have given our grove a fall application and the trees are full of vigor, but, if we have not, that much is lost and cannot now be regained. Trees that will bear five boxes of fruit need about twenty pounds for this spring application, while if ten boxes may be expected an additional ten pounds should be applied. If this seems too much, just consider the tree must live first. After that need is supplied all the fertilizer that is assimilated is transformed into growth and fruit. Now, what better investment can be made than to turn a few cents' worth of fertilizer into a few dollars' worth of fruit, and besides, have the bearing surface of the tree increased for the next year's crop? But bear in mind, this spring fertilizing is simply giving the trees and fruit a good start. If more food is not supplied in the summer much of the crop will be lost, for the tree has to have food to develop the fruit properly and also to make the summer growth. IDEAL FERTILIZERS 41 Summer Fertilizing Summer fertilizing has a many-sided significance and is not given nearly so much attention as it desen r es. The tree has all the fruit its vitality has enabled it to hold and is eager to carry this fruit on to maturity. If insufficient material is at hand to provide for all the demands of this season, Nature will put her best effort into the developing of the fruit and give scant heed to its size and the growth of new wood. The grower, however, cannot afford to overlook the importance of these items. While over-sized fruit is not at all to be desired, the number of fruit required for two boxes of the 252 size would pack nearly three boxes of the popular 176's and would also bring more per box. It is natural for the fruit to grow through the summer season and if the material is there for the tree to work upon, the fruit will increase in size throughout the warm weather. On this one point the summer application more than pays for itself, but we must not think of size alone as making fruit desirable. Though size is important, quality is far more to be desired. There are few vegetations that show such marked influence from source of plant food as does the citrus family. It has taken years to learn the exact sources and proportions of these sources to use in order to gain the very best results. The perfect orange must be heavy with luscious juice, not too tart, nor must it Le insipid. There must be little "rag" while the skin of strictly fancy fruit is of a beautiful reddish color, smooth and velvety to the touch and though thin, so tough as to enable the fruit to reach distant markets in perfect condition. Proper culture and fertilization will produce such fruit, and the grower reaps great reward for careful attention to these matters. Quality has ever been given too little prominence in citrus culture, quantity having I een the grower's watchword; but the time has come when quality must be given first place. Ideal brands make yearly by far the greater share of the fruit that brings the highest market prices. It is well though for the 42 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY grower to remember that however fine the crop may be as a whole, not every orange can be fancy and that it is impossible to give too much care to strict grading. Just a few inferior oranges in a box will drag the entire box down to their level. It is the nature of the citrus family to make another growth of branch just when the fruit is draining so heavily upon the tree's resources, and it is upon this growth that a great deal of the next year's bearing wood is produced. Thus a lack of nourishment at this time limits the area of the bearing wood and in consequence, the next crop is smaller than it might be. As a specimen of what citrus trees will do we would call your attention to the grand old giants of Clearwater shown in our booklet entitled Ideal Results From Ideal Fertilizers. Our trees should outlive us, becoming more valuable each year, and they will do so if given the proper care. It is when Nature is restricted and made to feel that her efforts are of no avail that she gives up the struggle and disease and death find their way into our groves. For a time after the spring growth the orange tree is prac- tically dormant, the little twigs rounding out and the young fruit slowly enlarging, Luc by the middle of May it begins to prepare for the summer growth of branch and the rapid development of the fruit, and the wise grower will have ample food at hand that he may reap full reward from Nature's efforts in this direction. We are fully convinced that about the 20th of May is the proper time to make this summer application. Too many growers wait until the latter part of June or even July when the growth is out, thus continuing the flow of sap until late in the fall and thereby make their fruit coarse and also retard the ripening several weeks. The trees need their food before they start to make their growth so that the ammonia will be used to increase this growth and also because it is just at this stage of the fruit's develop- ment that the ammonia will give it size without affecting the IDEAL FERTILIZERS 43 fineness of grain which is so desirable a quality. When our per- fectly balanced formulas are applied at the right time the ammonia is taken up in this way early in the summer and all through August and the fall months the fruit develops slowly and the branches gradually harden to sustain their increased burden. The formulas we offer for this application are varied to fit different conditions of soil and different requirements of the growers. W. & T.'s Special Fruit and Vine Manure Ideal Fruit and Vine Manure W. & T.'s High Grade Fruit and Vine Peruvian Fruit and Vine Manure W. & T.'s Fruit and Vine Manure Seminole Fruit and Vine Manure Ideal Blood, Bone and Potash The quantity to be used for summer application necessarily depends upon the size of the tree and the crop it is carrying. A tree carrying five bx>xes of fruit will need about fifteen pounds of fertilizer while one carrying ten boxes requires about twenty- five pounds. Remember, a tree is but a factory and can produce growth and fruit only as it is provided with materials to do with, and it is poor economy to restrict its output of dollars by depriving it of a few cents worth of food. Fall Fertilizing It would seem that just at the time when the year's work of the orange tree was completed and the grower was exchanging its fruits for money he would feel like doing something nice by such a faithful servant, but cold facts reveal that of the three needed applications of fertilizer during each year it is the fall 44 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY application that is the most begrudged and the most often neglected. The two excuses most commonly given are that the owner is too busy packing fruit and that the tree does not need any more food until spring because it will make no more growth. If we could but bring all the tree owners to feel that trees are alive and in many ways closely akin to animal life, it would bt a great work. Trees need their nourishment just as much as man or beast. We are particular to have our three meals a day whether we work or not, and who ever neglects to feed his work horse because he is "too busy" or because the horse is not going to work all night? The owner has generally rakeu a vacation over summer, either at home or away, the horse has had little to do all through the hot months, but the tree has worked every day making or maturing new growth and developing a crop of fine fruit. All its resources have teen drained, and when the fruit is fully matured it is exhausted just the same as man is after a long, hard day's work, and Nature provides it a resting period which can well be compared to our night. We feel the need of our evening meal and know that though we are seemingly at rest through the night, Nature is busy repairing the wear and tear of the day and getting us ready for another day's labors. Her work could not be so well done did we take no nourishment at night and we in no way feel that having an evening meal removes our need of breakfast This is exactly the view we should take of fall fertilizing. Nature needs that plant food to replenish the tree's forces that it may act vigorously in response to the call of spring and use the fertilizer given it at that time for growth and bloom rather than a greater part of it merely to keep the tree alive. Many a man who would be scandalized at the thought of keeping a bony horse keeps his grove in a similar state of semi- starvation. He feeds it just enough to keep it alive, or perhaps he is more liberal and keeps the trees in fairly good condition, but stops just short of the point where they could set and hold IDEAL FERTILIZERS 4o a remunerative crop. It is not natural for a tree to drop its young fruit. Nature is very conservative and is not at all inclined to waste her energies starting fruit to be thrown away. A tree will hold all the fruit its vitality will allow and it is upon the fall fertilizing that the vitality depends to a great extent. From the 15th of November to the loth of December seems to be the right time for this application to give the best results. The following formulas are recommended for use at this season : Ideal Fruit and Vine Manure W. & T.'s Special Fruit and Vine Manure Peruvian Fruit and Vine Manure W. & T.'s Fruit and Vine Manure W. & T.'s High Grade Fruit and Vine Seminole Fruit and Vine Manure A tree large enough to bear five l/oxes of fruit will need about fifteen pounds of fertilizer at this application. This fer- tilizer can be applied according to the method of cultivation employed for the grove. It can l:e harrowed in if the grove has been plowed, or chopped in with a cut-a-way harrow, or hoed in around the trees and covered with a mulch or simply left on the surface to be carried down by the winter rains. Each of these different methods have been found successful under some one of the various conditions to be found. This is a great State and it is, to a great extent, the diverse soils and climates it represents that causes the many different opinions as to the proper cultivation of a citrus grove. Hut though the methods of cultivation vary ever so widely trees in all sections need this fall fertilizer to be gradually taken up and assimilated by the roots during the winter to establish full vigor ; then when spring'" impulse comes the response will be strong and enduring. 40 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY Fertilizing Young Trees For young trees we recommend the formulas : W. & T.'s Special Mixture No. 1 Seminole Tree Grower Special Peruvian Grower Peruvian Orange Tree Grower for spring and summer applications in amounts depending upon the size and condition of the trees. For fall application our Seminole Tree Grower is used in the lower East Coast section, b-ut in the center of the State and on the West Coast the application is often omitted. Young trees should be kept well worked except over summer. During this season disturbing the soil is likely to create acid conditions. Extra heavy mulching should be used, for the grass or cover crop must not be allowed to choke the trees. Make the circle of mulching considerably farther out than the outermost branches, for one should always strive to create a large root surface. In working young trees, while the greatest care should be taken not to tear the roots, one should disturb the ground at the outer edge of the circle to a depth of three or four inches, if possible, to cause the roots to strike down deep and thus be less likely to dry out than when near the surface. Remember Ideal brands are long past the experimental stage. They have produced many of the finest bearing groves in the State. IDEAL FERTILIZERS CHAPTER IX. Picking and Packing Our aim in this book has been to tell people what would be of real service to them. We are now to one of the most important phases of citrus growing but we can give very few directions beyond telling what should receive attention. This part has to be learned by actual demonstration in the field and packing house and can be perfected only by considerable experience except in cases where one has a natural gift for judging fruit. A grower about whom the neighbors jeer because he throws away box after box of "perfectly good fruit" is one who is doing good packing. It is the packer who culls closely that makes the money. Citrus fruits are easily damaged. A clipper cut, finger nail abrasion, thorn prick, or drop of six inches will ruin their carrying qualities. The picker should be provided with ladder, clippers and picking receptacle. The ladder should be placed with great care. The picker who threshes his ladder about to secure a firm resting place bruises or thorn pricks more fruit than his day's work is worth. There are many clippers on the market now that do good work, being shaped so they will cut a short stem and yet so that it is almost impossible to harm the fruit while doing so. A short stem is absolutely necessary because of the damage done other fruit by the end of the long stem. The requirements for a good receptacle are that the fruit finds an easy resting place within and is protected from outside pressures : also that it be shaped to empty into the field box without jarring its contents. There are many different contriv- ances, each having its firm supporters. Many of the growers are having the pickers wear white gloves, and all insist upon short finger nails. The field boxes should be small enough so one man can lift them and set them down without jarring. The ends should be enough higher than the sides to make It impossible 48 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY for the fruit to come against the bottom of the box packed above it. A spring wagon should always be used in hauling fruit. The custom of washing fruit is becoming more and more firmly established. While an absolutely perfect and unblemished fruit cannot be made to look any better than it does when picked from the tree, by far the greater part of the crop is vastly improved by the washing; besides, a fungicide in the wash water will do much towards retarding decay. There should be drying racks that the fruit may have good circulation of air around it and dry readily. It is especially important that no decayed fruit be left in the house, for the infection spreads rapidly. Wherever a bit of decay is found, the wood should be washed thoroughly with a strong fungicide. Each grove should send out at least three, if not four, different brands. To have a brand of value the fruit shipped under it must always be uniform. There are many points nec- essary to make a strictly fancy fruit. Some growers seem to think "fancy fruit" means the bulk of their crops, but the buyer does not look at it in that way. He is looking for defects not good points, and if he finds them he either buys at reduced prices or not at all. The successful packer must take this view- point : "Every doubtful orange is a cull," and all will be well. All grades of fruit fit to be shipped at all are worthy of neat packing, but the style should compare with the grade. Fancy paper is out of place on low-grade fruit. A neat trade- mark denoting its brand might be used, but plain paper of good quality is better. The brand will be shown on the box. For strictly fancy fruit we believe in attractive little "stickers" on the fruit itself and as pretty a design on the wrapping paper as can be devised. Lace paper folded over an attractive picture showing either the trade-mark alone or a view of the grove with the trade-mark in one corner to greet the opener of the box will cost but a few cents and increase the selling price from fifty cents to a dollar. All these points count, but quality of fruit is IDEAL FERTILIZERS 49 of first importance, neatness of pack is next, after which the fancy pack can be taken into consideration. For the convenience of the packer we have had cuts made from Bulletin No. 63 of the Florida Experiment Station showing measurements and ways of packing for the different sizes of oranges and grapefruit. Before letting the fruit leave his control, the shipper should be as well satisfied of the honesty and ability of the person about to handle it as he would be before he loaned as much money as the fruit is worth. It is quite safe to say that the greater number of growers in the State could get 25% if not even 100% more net profit than they are getting if they would pay proper attention to packing and shipping. grove of Mr. C. C. Tierce, Brown IDEAL customer. our Special Artist.) , in packing season an 50 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY t* a a _* o H "a]l UJ oi g ^1 w K ut three months the disease will have progressed so as to throw off the bark of the diseased area. As it has also destroyed the life-carrying cambium layer there is no chance for new bark to form. Foot rot can be distinguished from gummosis by its position at the base of the tree and by its peculiar odor. IDEAL FERTILIZERS 63 Cause. Improper drainage, too close planting, excessive and continuous use of organic fertilizers, excessive cultivation, con- tinued excessive irrigation and deep planting influence the dis- ease, but that it is not strictly physiological is shown by its being contagious. Preventives. Plant sour stock and avoid the conditions named above as being favorable for the development of the dis- ease. When foot rot is in any part of the grove great care should be taken not to spread it. Infected trees should not re- ceive any part of their cultivation continuously with the rest of the grove, for the plow or harrow is likely to carry contagion as well as the hoe or knife. Any tool used around a diseased tree should be washed in equal parts of crude carbolic acid and water immediately so there can be no possibility of its infecting other trees. Treatment. Sunlight and air seem to be the essential reme- dies. The dirt should be removed from around the roots for two or three feet from the trunk and farther if necessary to reach all diseased portions. Six months is none too long to leave the tree this way, though, of course, one must not endanger the life of his tree through exposure to cold. All diseased portions of bark, trunk or roots should be cut away, leaving smooth surface. Cut well back into healthly tissue the line of demarcation shows plainly. Paint these surfaces with any antiseptic. Carbolineum avenarius is our preference, but carbolic acid diluted one-half, soda-sulphur solution, and even whitewash have served the pur- pose. The main object is to remove the infection and let Nature heal the wounds. Where trees are set too close they often have to be thinned out so as to allow sunlight to reach the ground before this trouble is overcome. Frenching This is a term used for a yellowing between the veins of the leaf. Frenching is not a disease but is merely a symptom of bad 64 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY physiological conditions, and, therefore, may either accompany a disease or be the first warning to the grower that uuhealthful conditions surround his heretofore flourishing tree. These con- ditions may be insufficient food or food from the wrong sources; or a condition of the soil that is uncongenial to proper develop- ment, either because of acidity or lack of proper aeration. Lib- eral application of well balanced chemical fertilizers will supply the proper nutrition and an application of ashes or slaked lime worked in as thoroughly as possible without disturbing the roots of the tree will not only correct acidity, bnit will improve the texture of the soil. Thorough drainage is essential to keep the soil sweet and mulching is a help toward keeping it loose and open to free circulation of air. Fumigation There is no question but that the surest and quickest way to rid a tree of all insect enemies is by fumigation, but the way for a community to make it a practical proposition is for all growers to co-operate so that every grove is given strict attention. Other- wise, though a grower cleans his trees thoroughly, they will become reinfested from his neighbor's grove. When fumigation is carried on properly and on a large scale, the expense is slight for the results given ; but since, to a single grower the expense of a fumigation outfit is almost prohibitive and the results likely to be unsatisfactory unless his grove is isolated, we will not give space to the subject in this book. Any information desired will be fur- nished gladly through correspondence. Fungi There are several friendly fungi which are either native of or have become so well acclimated to Florida that there is very little trouble in introducing them. It takes abwit three weeks for them to become so well established as to be visible to the unaided eye and often longer when dry weather conditions exist. We IDEAL FERTILIZERS 65 must remember, though, that fungi can do a vast amount of work before they become so plentiful as to be noticed. The organisms are so minute that illustrations have to be enlarged from 75 to 200 times to give us any idea of their appearance, yet, just one spore (seed) from one of these tiny plants is sufficient to kill the larva upon which it settles. These fungi can be obtained at slight cost from Messrs. C. A. Boone, Orlando, Frank H. Davis, Apopka, and others. The black, red-headed and white-headed fungi are used for scale insects, and the red, brown and yellow for the whitefly. Scale fungi are generally sold on pieces of bark two to four inches long and are introduced by tying the bark in a position favorable for the dew or rain to carry the spores to the scales below. For whitefly, the fungi are usually sold on leaves which were pinned in contact with infested foliage at first, but this method has been displaced by spraying, and we believe scale fungi will soon be sprayed also. About eight leaves well covered with ripe red, yellow or brown fungus are generally used to a gallon of water, but from two to four times as many should be used when the fungus js pink colored or weathered. They should be soaked at least ten minutes and may stand several hours without injury ; stir well and strain through a fine wire strainer. Do not put the fungi in any receptacle that has been used for Bordeaux mixture or other fxingicides, and if a pump with brass or copper parts is used, do not allow the spray to stand longer than necessary to do the work. For scale, the trunk and infested limbs should be treated, while for whitefly the nozzle should be directed to the underside of the leaves. To do this the operator needs to stand close and spray upwards and against the opposite side of the tree. A powerful pump gives far better results than a weak one because of the spray being forced through the foliage, thereby reaching more of the leaves. Though fungi may be introduced at any time, 68 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY spots occur on both sides of the leaves but are more pronounced on the mid-ribs. Sometimes the leaves are drawn out of shape and become pale or yellowish green. The markings on the fruit are not so raised as those on the twigs and leaves, and a cursory glance might confound it with die-back fruit, but the markings on the latter are not raised and do not run in curves or circles, and no gum occurs in the angles of the sections of melanosed fruit. The melanose spots are wax-like and shrink toward the center, often raising edges of the mass and giving a scale-like appearance. Melanose is produced by the same fungus which causes stem- end rot. This fungus comes to maturity only in dead wood and the spores are spread by rain, dew, insects, etc. It is best con- trolled by the pruning and burning of all dead wood, even the tiny twigs. This work should be done during the dormant seasons. Mites "Red Spider" and Six-Spotted Mite These mites are different when viewed under a microscope but as they have the same effect on the trees and yield to the same treatment, we feel that they can be classed together. They are sucking insects and do great damage by causing young fruit to drop and by defoliating the trees. They flourish during the dry spring months and disappear when the rainy season opens. If one has an irrigation system he can overcome this trouble by drenching the trees, but otherwise he must use the sulphur prep- arations as advised under Rust Mite. Rust Mite The rust mite is a tiny little fellow that cannot be seen with the unaided eye unless collected in large numbers when the whole army has the appearance of a slight coating of dust. But though of such small size, its work is by no means insignificant. It is IDEAL FERTILIZERS 69 probably safe to say that it makes a difference in price of about fifty cents per box on half the citrus fruit raised in the State. Rust mites feed upon the essential oil of the rind. The air that enters the punctures made by them turns the oil dark colored and thus causes a "rusty" appearance. As the mites prefer shade to direct sunlight, they do most of their work on the lower side of the fruit. Fruit thus attacked is likely to be undersized. Strange as it may seem, russet oranges are sweeter and keep longer than the brighter and more attractive fruit, but since they do not bring as much money the investor needs to exterminate the rust mite as soon as it appears. This is generally about the middle of May, but sometimes fruit is damaged during the last of April. The trouble usually continues for about two months but often hangs on much later. Indeed, it is not at all strange for a grower to find that his fruit which was nice and bright when first matured has grown rusty during the few weeks he has held it on the trees. Preventives. All spider mites are sensitive to sulphur in any form. The most popular way to combat the rust mite is by using a dust spray of equal parts of sulphur and slaked lime every two weeks through the rust mite season. The one drawback to this is the need of the application being made when the foliage is wet. Since sulphur in this form is far less likely to harm fungi, there is seldom need of spraying for scale after the application. Many growers use the soda-sulphur and potash-sulphur mixtures, while the paste-sulphur spray promises much to the grower who desires to use plain sulphur, yet dislikes the dust application. Lime- sulphur solution may also be used but care must be taken not to burn the foliage. Scab The prominent characteristic of this disease is the wart- like excrescences on both leaves and fruit. They are the work of a minute fungus which can attack only rapidly growing tissue. Spring drouths usually protect our fruit, as the fungus can 68 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY spots occur on both sides of the leaves but are more prouounced on the mid-ribs. Sometimes the leaves are drawn out of shape and become pale or yellowish green. The markings on the fruit are not so raised as those on the twigs and leaves, and a cursory glance might confound it with die-back fruit, but the markings on the latter are not raised and do not run in curves or circles, and no gum occurs in the angles of the sections of melanosed fruit. The inelanose spots are wax-like and shrink toward the center, often raising edges of the mass and giving a scale-like appearance. Melanose is produced by the same fungus which causes stem- end rot. This fungus comes to maturity only in dead wood and the spores are spread by rain, dew, insects, etc. It is best con- trolled by the pruning and burning of all dead wood, even the tiny twigs. This work should be done during the dormant seasons. Mites "Red Spider" and Six-Spotted Mite These mites are different when viewed under a microscope but as they have the same effect on the trees and yield to the same treatment, we feel that they can be classed together. They are sucking insects and do great damage by causing young fruit to drop and by defoliating the trees. They flourish during the dry spring months and disappear when the rainy season opens. If one has an irrigation system he can overcome this trouble by drenching the trees, but otherwise he must use the sulphur prep- arations as advised under Rust Mite. Rust Mite The rust mite is a tiny little fellow that cannot be seen with the unaided eye unless collected in large numbers when the whole army has the appearance of a slight coating of dust. But though of such small size, its work is by no means insignificant. It is IDEAL FERTILIZERS 69 probably safe to say that it makes a difference in price of about fifty cents per box on half the citrus fruit raised in the State. Rust mites feed upon the essential oil of the rind. The air that enters the punctures made by them turns the oil dark colored and thus causes a "rusty" appearance. As the mites prefer shade to direct sunlight, they do most of their work on the lower side of the fruit. Fruit thus attacked is likely to be undersized. Strange as it may seem, russet oranges are sweeter and keep longer than the brighter and more attractive fruit, but since they do not bring as much money the investor needs to exterminate the rust mite as soon as it appears. This is generally about the middle of May, but sometimes fruit is damaged during the last of April. The trouble usually continues for about two months but often hangs on much later. Indeed, it is not at all strange for a grower to find that his fruit which was nice and bright when first matured has grown rusty during the few weeks he has held it on the trees. Preventives. All spider mites are sensitive to sulphur in any form. The most popular way to combat the rust mite is by using a dust spray of equal parts of sulphur and slaked lime every two weeks through the rust mite season. The one drawback to this is the need of the application being made when the foliage is wet. Since sulphur in this form is far less likely to harm fungi, there is seldom need of spraying for scale after the application. Many growers use the soda-sulphur and potash-sulphur mixtures, while the paste-sulphur spray promises much to the grower who desires to use plain sulphur, yet dislikes the dust application. Lime- sulphur solution may also be used but care must be taken not to burn the foliage. Scab The prominent characteristic of this disease is the wart- like excrescences on both leaves and fruit. They are the work of a minute fungus which can attack only rapidly growing tissue. Spring drouths usually protect our fruit, as the fungus can 70 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY develop only under moist conditions and the fruit is past the susceptible period before the summer rains occur. Sweet oranges are practically immune. Sour oranges and lemons are special hosts and should not be allowed to grow near grapefruit, satsumas or tangerines as they will infect these fruits should a few rainy days occur in the spring. Scales Although there are many different species of scales, it is not absolutely necessary for the practical grower to distinguish them, as all yield to about the same treatment. Scales are sucking insects, and in addition to extracting the juices of a tree and thus robbing it of its nourishment, they cause irritation either by the beak itself or by the injection of a poison. This is insignificant for the single individual, but scales multiply rapidly and soon their number will greatly weaken a tree. Their presence also tends to smother vegetation as they pack so closely that they interfere with normal respiration. This is especially true of those that exude honeydew, for the honeydew itself helps to close the pores and besides it is likely to become the host of sooty mold which will further restrict proper functioning in the areas it covers. Dry weather induces scale increase. It retards the growth of the fungi that keep the scale in check and also renders the trees less able to stand the drain put upon them. It is an established fact that insects as well as diseases are generally quick to injure weakened vegetation, so the grower can make his first and most effective stand against such troubles by keeping his trees vigorous. Under Fungi will be found necessary information in regard to introducing Nature's remedy, but as we cannot always wait for that and since there are many who prefer to spray, we will consider the application of contact insecticides. The time and manner of spraying is fully as important as the solution to be used. Scales produce from two to four broods per IDEAL FERTILIZERS 71 season. The time when these broods may be expected depends much upon climatic conditions, so there can be no satisfactory spraying calendar prepared. A grower should be able to recognize the eggs and larvae and spray when by the number of larvae it would seem that the brood has hatched. Since it is not possible to see the newly hatched larvae with the unaided eye, a hand lens should be used when they will show as small, yellowish or whitish insects, sometimes crawling, sometimes at rest. Soon they attach themselves to the tree, on either the bark, leaves, or fruit, and become covered with a waxy secretion, at which stage they show as tiny white dots. It is during these two stages (the crawling larvae and the newly settled larvae) that spraying during warm weather should be done, for the eggs and adult scales are not so easily destroyed. Some scales, like the San Jose scale for in- stance, do not lay eggs, but give birth to living young which appear irregularly and not in broods. There is generally a brood of young scale in early spring. One pound of whale oil soap to six gallons of water is effective against scale larvae; but any spray is likely to cause newly set fruit to drop, so the spraying should be either postponed until the fruit is the size of a hickory nut or directed against only the trunk and limbs where the scales are gathered. As the season is more advanced whale oil soap may \se used as strong as twelve pounds to fifty gallons of water. We consider Yothers' Formula No. 3 the best spray of all, bait kerosense emulsion, kerosene and water, and tobacco decoction are also effective when correctly applied. In using kerosene great care must be taken not to burn the foliage. It must be in right proportion and used on sunny days. The above remedies are not fungicides and therefore will not interfere with fungi becoming established. Scaly Bark, or Nail Head Rust This disease is at present confined to a very small part of the orange growing section. It is caused by a certain fungus or 72 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY probably a combination of two or more fungi and has L-een present in the State fully forty years. However, it is only recently that it has developed into a real menace to groves. The scaly bark fungus seems to be very slow acting until brought into association with the withertip fungus, but the work of the two together has created a problem that as yet has not been entirely solved. We quote in full Fawcett's description of the first stages of scaly bark attack, and trust all will note same carefully, because, by prompt and decisive action, the disease can be eradicated before any real damage is done : "1 On the smooth bark of branches six to nine mouths old and older will be found more or less round or oval spots one-sixth to one-half inch broad, raised above the surface, rusty in color, with well-marked edges. As the spots grow older the bark becomes glazed, then brittle, shows cracks running lengthways and at last breaks into small flakes and scales. In severe cases of scaly bark these spots increase in number till they join together, forming large patches of rusty or reddish-brown scaly and scabby bark. "2 On the larger limbs, and sometimes on the trunk, will l;e seen patches of rough shaggy bark, the small pieces of which shell off as the hand is passed over them. (In some cases this shagginess of the old bark may be absent.) "3 On the fruit will usually be found brown sunken spots, some of which are apt to be in the form of sunken rings. These spots are at first yellowish to reddish-brown on the green fruit, and finally become dark and sunken. In ringed spots the rings first become sunken, with a higher part inside. This central part afterwards sinks in, and the whole area inside the ring becomes dark. The spots vary in breadth from one-fifth to one-half inch." Scaly bark will spread over the whole tree from the trunk to the tiniest twigs if allowed to do so, the diseased areas running into each other until finally limbs are girdled and die. Not only this but the withertip fungus attacks these diseased places and IDEAL FERTILIZERS 73 kills branch after branch with its poisonous action and also hastens the work of scaly bark. Where scaly bark has become thoroughly established there are three ways to deal with it: (1) Applications of Bordeaux mixture after pruning out thoroughly, which diminishes the percentage of affected fruit, but unless followed by sprays of good insecticides, this treatment allows scale to increase to such an extent as to damage the trees about as much as the scaly bark. (2) Heading Back. This should be done in December or January, before the trees start to grow. Cut out the top, leaving only the trunk and stubs of the larger branches and paint these thoroughly with one-half strength carbolineum. By the end of summer a vigorous top will have made which is free from the disease but unless the whole grove is treated this way the tree is likely to become infected again. (3) Top Working. Really the most feasible way known at the present time is to top work the grove in the scaly bark section, grafting in varieties immune to the disease. This, though drastic, wins the battle at once, while the other methods are a continual and expensive fight against the ravages of the enemy. Grape- fruit, tangerines and mandarins all appear to resist scaly bark. That the loss of income may not be too great it is well to treat alternate rows through the grove and when these trees come to bearing, top-graft the other. Gummosis in its more advanced stages greatly resembles scaly bark, but there are some strong distinguishing features, so close observation will prevent the two being confounded. These points are taken up under Gummosis. Sooty Mold Sooty mold is a black fungus that lives upon the honey- dew excreted by insects. It will soon follow the appearance of the whitefly, mealy bug, soft scales, wax scales, or cottony cushion scales. Since the honeydew falls upon the leaves and fruit below, sooty mold becomes better established upon the 74 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY upper surfaces. To many who have not studied plant life, its presence means only the added trouble and expense of washing the fruit before shipping, but this is the least important result of its presence. Though it does not enter the tree at all, it fits so closely to it, especially to the leaves that the pores are clogged and respira- tion is more or less prevented in the areas covered. Respiration is the only means vegetation has to obtain its carbon. Since carbon is a large per cent, of all solid vegetable matter, all the functions of the tree are limited by the supply of cartxm, and any inter- ference with respiration is a serious restriction. Not only this, but the chlorophyll can act on the carbon present only when exposed to the light and in proportion to the directness of the sun's rays. Thus the shade produced by the presence of sooty mold further weakens the proper functions of the covered portions. Green fruit carries on this assimilation of carbon the same as leaves and green twigs. When the immature fruit is coated with sooty mold it generally does not attain full size and is even more lacking in sweetness and flavor because of its in- ability to manufacture sugar without proper supply of carbon and sunlight; hence the effects of sooty mold are far beyond remedy by washing. Preventives. -Sooty mold can be killed by any fungicide, but our friendly fungi will be killed at the same time, and by the time the dead sooty mold has "weathered" off, new will have established itself if the insects are still present, so the real point of attack should be the insects. When they are exterminated the sooty mold must die from lack of nourishment. A spray of whale oil soap or of Yothers' Formula No. 3 is more or less effective in loosening this sooty mold. After it is loosened the winds and rains soon remove a large percentage of it, so such an application may sometimes be of great advantage. IDEAL FERTILIZERS 75 Stem-End Rot This disease was first noticed in the fall of 1909. A circular patch around the stem of the fruit becomes soft but at first is not discolored. Later it turns dull brown, drab, or dark coffee color, sometimes exuding a sticky brown juice. The decay attacks the dividing tissue of the segments before the juice sacs but does not turn it black as does the diplodia. The fungus lives in dead branches but seems to be able to enter perfectly sound fruit and young twigs, the latter often dying back from three to twelve inches. The fruit begins to show its effect in August. Grape- fruit and sweet oranges usually begin to drop before any infection can be noticed; indeed, the slow development of the fungus is a point of extreme importance to the grower, as his fruit may b'e quite badly infected within yet give no external indications. He ships it supposing it to be sound only to find it has "broken down" before reaching the consumer. It has been determined that stem-end rot and inelanose are different manifestations of the same fungus, therefore, the pruning for melanose also reduces stem-end rot infection though it does not entirely prevent it owing to the (practically) im- possibility of removing all dead wood. This, however, is the best means of control known up to the present time. Whitefly The whitefly is a tiny insect, but it has created a great problem. Theoretically, the trouble can be overcome by correct fumigation, by introducing fungi during the period of summer rains, and by spraying judiciously during spring, fall and winter. Practically, while the whitefly has been kept out of many sections we do not know of any infested area where the whitefly has been exterminated. Some groves, which became infested before the danger was realized or proper treatment known, are owned by men as capable as can be found in the State, who have a surplus of capital and energy, and yet they acknowledge defeat. Their most strenuous efforts keep the fly down only enough to 76 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY allow crops to be grown, and each year brings a renewal of the battle. This experience is a great lesson keep the whitefly out. Clear away its food plants : China and umbrella trees, persimmon, olive, green ash, jessamine and privet, which it prefers next to citrus; honeysuckle, fig, oleander, pear, etc., which are its second choice ; in all twenty-seven different kinds. If one learns of whitefly appearing in any part of his section, he should act promptly. It is just as much to his interest to exterminate it as though he owned the trees, and it is far more profitable to fight whitefly in a neighbor's grove than at home. There are three species of the whitefly. The "woolly whitefly" is scarcely known and the "cloudy winged" species is less dangerous. It is the "white winged" species that has made itself so famous (or infamous) among citrus growers. In summer the life cycle (from egg to adult) is from forty to fifty days. In winter the time varies according to weather. There are seven stages in the whitefly's development : egg, four different stages of larva, pupa and adult. It is most difficult to kill the egg, pupa and adult by anything but fumigation, hence it is no time to act when the adults are swarming and making themselves so prominent. They are laying eggs which are so small 20,000 of them have been found on a single leaf. In about two weeks after the swarm has disappeared the larvae will have hatched. The newly hatched larvae are only about one-eightieth of an inch long and are so thin as to seem like flattened white scales. At this time at least 95 per cent, of them can be killed with a weak whale oil soap spray, but thorough work must be done to accom- plish this result The spray must reach the insects, which are on the under side of the leaves. The result of this depends more upon the workman than upon the mixture used. At the fourth stage the larvae are about one-eighteenth of an inch long. As they increase in size and vigor they are more resistant, but it is quite possible to spray so as to kill nearly all of them up to the pupal stage, and even some of the pupse. IDEAL FERTILIZERS 77 There generally are three well-defined broods of whitefly. The first appears in March, April or May; the second is seen in June, July or August, and the third in August, September or October. Dr. E. W. Berger, of the Florida Experiment Station, has given the whitefly most careful study. Indeed, it is due largely to his work that so much is known of its life and that it can be checked so effectively. He advises spraying with whale oil soap or one of the Yothers' formulas in the spring, and urges doing the work as soon as the young are well out for four reasons: "(1) The whiteflies are in the young larval stages and are easily killed; (2) they are mainly on the new growth and more easily sprayed; (3) the larvae are destroyed before sapping the strength of the new growth, and before much sooty mold has developed; (4) there is little rain to interfere with the spraying." During the summer he recommends introducing fungi, as this is a favorable season for fungi to become established sufficiently to do more or less good throughout the year, and because he feels that sprays of insecticides will do little good at this time since there are so many eggs and adults that will not be affected. The red fungus is to be preferred, for it will grow on both the white and cloudy winged species and seems to be more hardy than the others. Brown fungus is rather uncertain to start but does most thorough work when once established. Yellow fungus will grow only on the cloudy winged whitefly. The white fringe fungus is very delicate. Unless the fungi are very well established the fall brood of larvae should be sprayed in October or early November. We consider Yothers' Formula No. 3 the best spray for this. It is essential to leave as few whiteflies as possible to over-winter, for although they are more or less dormant through cold weather, the first sign of spring finds them hard at work increasing their numbers. Winter is the proper time for fumigation. Send for special information in regard to this. Sprays at this season should be 78 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY much stronger. Whale oil soap may be used at the rate of one pound to four or five gallons of water or Formula No. 3 or No. 4 at the 200-gallon strength. Kerosene emulsion and other contact insecticides are also effective. It is important that the spraying be so thorougly done that the foliage is drenched. It is far better for a community to form an association and thus have every grove thoroughly treated. One neglected grove will serve to keep the whole neighborhood fighting. One town in Middle Florida has kept this pest at bay by work carried on with the fund raised by an assessment of one cent per tree. Several growers have kept the fly to one corner of the grove by frequent and thorough sprayings. We now know the power of the whitefly, and there is no excuse for its being allowed to increase its territory. Withertip "We have mentioned in the article on Authracnose Prof. Rolfs' valuable work in recognizing that several diseases in the citrus grove were due to one fungus. This fungus has a long Latin name (Colletotrichum glreosporioides), but is now generally known as the "withertip fungus." It seems to be almost univer- sally present throughout the State and ever ready to do its deadly work where other factors have paved its way by weaken- ing the trees. Its one redeeming feature is that it cannot attack healthly vegetation. Withertip, as its name implies, causes the young growth to die back. It may be distinguished from die-back by the lack of multiple buds and gum pockets, and from Might by the foliage not wilting, but it is very likely to be found in a tree suffering from die-back or blight, for such conditions invite its appearance. Withertip will attack trees of all ages, even seedlings in the nurseries. On budded trees less than a year old it generally confines itself to the leaves but unless the trouble is corrected it will finally extend into the twigs and kill them back. In this way a tree may not increase in size for four or five years, and prob- IDEAL FERTILIZERS 79 ably will finally die. On older trees it works in various ways. By killing new growth it prevents much blooming; by infecting the Mooins it causes many to fall, and then much of the young fruit that sets is lost before it is the size of a marble. We have discussed this matter under Anthracnose. Remedies. Since this is a fungous trouble, it would seem that thorough spraying with a fungicide would cure it, but, un- fortunately, the action of the fungus creates a toxine that is taken up by the sap and is beyond the reach of sprays. This demands the use of the pruning knife. One can see how far the toxine has entered by the gray color of the bark, or by the yellow- ing of the leaves on the twigs, and must cut well below the affected wood and close to an elbow. Leave no stubs as they are likely to become reinfected. Often one will find a line of demarcation between the gray and the natural twig. That is a sign that the tree has established a barrier and the toxine can go no further in that twig, but when withertip is established in any part, the tree will weaken more and more until its usefulness is over. This pruning should be done twice a year when the trees are not growing vigorously, probably in January and July. The work must be thorough to be effective all diseased wood should be taken away the cuts must be smooth and the larger cut surfaces treated as described under Gummosis. Burn the prun- ings. Give the trees plenty of well balanced fertilizer and extra good care in every way to make a vigorous growth that will repel the attacks of the fungus. Yellow Spotting This is not the well known "leaf spot" which is now recognized as the effect of the withertip fungus, though this fungus is often present as in other cases, where by any cause the tree is weakened and greatly aggravates the trouble, nor is it the yellowing caused by die-back, starvation, insects, etc., but a disease distinct in it- self. The exact cause is unknown but apparently yellow spotting is due to direct effects of improper culture or fertilization, or to 80 WILSON & TOOMER FERTILIZER COMPANY the condition of the soil brought about by such methods. In the grove it has the appearance of being contagious, but scientific efforts to transmit the disease have not been successful, so its attacks on groups of trees may be due wholly to the fact that these trees suffer under the same conditions. Trees under three or four years of age are seldom attacked. Generally the spotting is noticed after a heavy crop of fruit which is good proof that lack of vitality induces its development. It is confined to the leaves and in light attacks does little damage, but since the leaves are the organs for both breathing and digestion, anything interfering to any extent with their proper functioning is most serious. Yellow spot causes swelling in the spongy tissues of the leaves and the formation of a corky tissue which excludes the air and thus stops all action in diseased areas, but even more serious than the disease itself, is the foothold it gives to the withertip fungus; so it is important to recognize its appearance and take prompt action toward building up the general health of the tree. B. F. Floyd describes yellow spot as follows: "There are many variations in the gross appearance of the spots, thus making it difficult to give an exact description of them. These variations are evidently due to the different reac- tions of the leaf-tissue to the disease stimulus. The typical spots on the leaves are yellowish to golden-colored areas, a fraction of an inch or more in diameter. They usually occur between the main veins and extend through the substance of the leaf. The areas differ in appearance on the upper and under surfaces. On the upper surface the yellowish or golden color is more notice- able ; the central portion of the area is often darker in color than the margin. It often presents a shiny, dark brown appearance. The discolored area is not raised above the surrounding surface of the leaf. The surface of the spot on the lower side of the leaf is often rough and projecting. It usually has a dull, greasy look, and a yellowish-brown or olive-green color. The surface in old spots may become dark colored and melanose-like." UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY This book is DUE on the last date stamped below Form L-9-15m-3,'34 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY SB A 001 429918 4 " 369 P88c2 I