Florida Agricultanral Experiment Stations


 A survey of 168 commercial Valencia groves in the State was
initiated in 1955. This survey was conducted to obtain informa-
tion on (1) the present nutritional status of the Valencia variety
in central Florida, as indicated by leaf, fruit and soil analysis;
(2) the existence of correlations between the mineral composi-
tion of leaves and whole fruit, and yield, fruit quality and the
fertilizer practices followed, thus seeking confirmation of trends
indicated in field experiments; (3) the possibility of applica-
tion of leaf, fruit and, to a lesser degree, soil analyses as guides
to fertilizer practice under commercial grove conditions.

 METHODS AND MATERIALS
 SELECTION OF GROVES
 Only central Florida groves were included in the survey.
Because of the differences in soil types and rootstocks, groves
of the Indian River area were omitted, since it was felt they
would unduly complicate interpretation.
 The 1954 census (21) was used as a guide to determine the
proportionate distribution of the survey groves by counties as
shown in Table 1.

 TABLE 1.-DISTRIBUTION OF VALENCIA SURVEY GROVES BY COUNTIES.

 County Groves County Groves
 No. i No.
 Polk -... ..- --. I 77 Pinellas ............ 4
 Lake .. .... .. 27 Hernando -...-..-...- 3
 Orange ....... 25 Seminole ...... ...- 2
 Pasco ............- --- I 11 Hardee .............. 1
 Highlands ...... ... 10 Osceola .. ..-..- 1
 Hillsborough ...... 7 TOTAL -.... 168


 The total number of groves involved in the survey represents
 approximately 4 percent of the bearing Valencia trees over 15
 years of age in the State (21). Only groves with apparently
 accurate records were included in the study. Because of the
 difficulty in securing accurate records, the number of groves
 operated by independent growers was not as large as originally
 anticipated. The survey groves were managed by 44 different