Proceedings Volume 27

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 Excerpt: ...inside was frequently no warmer than that outside and sometimes during changing atmospheric conditions it was even colder than outside. Where trees were confined too closely they suffered, and in instances were four weeks later in starting their spring growth than trees in the open. But where they were opened up in pleasant weather they were greatly benefited, blooming early and profusely and setting a heavy crop of fruit. As to the quality of oranges grown under sheds there can be no question. Several hundred boxes of these, which would grade as strictly fancy, the most uniform and beautiful fruit ever produced in Florida, sold readily in Jacksonville at $5 a box. Another valuable lesson learned is the efficacy of open pinewood fires in th'e grove as a protection against frosts. When there is a high wind, as frequently happens with our cold snaps, the blaze is borne along nearly horizontally and the heat is diffused and weakened, so that the protective efficacy of the fires is somewhat impaired, but experience shows that open air firing can often be made effective even under these adverse conditions. In a frost or still freeze the "firing" is a very simple process--the main thing being proper arrangement, in advance, for plenty of wood and plenty of help. Following the destructive freeze of 1835--after the trees had again grown from the roots--the scale insects played havoc with groves. Many of them were nearly wiped out and not a few entirely abandoned. But nature, ever striving to maintain her balance, set myriads of ladybugs (Coccinclla) feeding upon the scale and these ladybugs, unmolested by poisonous sprays, accomplished what man had failed to do--cleansed the trees of their enemies and permitted them to grow again vigorous and healthy. A f...