VOL. 1---NO. 16. JACKSONVILLE, FLA., WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1887. PRICE $2 A YEAR. THE JAPAN CLOVER. A Source of Wealth Found ii a Naturalized Foreign Plant. The following treatise on a subject which we& have selected for special de scription and illustration, is from th pen of Dr. D. L. Phares, professor c biology in the Agricultural College c Mississippi, and the recognized authorit- on southern forage plants. INTRODUCTION OF TRE PLANT. A few seeds, arriving in the United States, germinated, contested a few fee of soil with other native and exoti Plants that had long pre-occupied the land. It gained strength and increase in yield of seed till, becoming somewhat abundant, it commenced its westward invasion, simultaneously extending its conquests northward and southward firmly holding all conquered territory. Since 1870 its strides westward have been immense. It now extends from the Atlantic seabord across the Missis- sippi, and its out-posts are pushed fai toward the western border of Texas. Denuded, soulless hilltops, sandy plains, gravelly slopes, bottoms and banks oi washes and gullies, pine thickets, open woods, fields, dry and damp soils, all seem as if specially created for its home. It seizes upon all with equal facility. It maintains its dwarfish habit on sands, gravels and other spots too poor to produce any other vegetation, dense- ly covering the surface with its green robe and affording delighted live stock delicious, nutritious grazing for eight months of the year.' But on richer soil it doffs the dwarf and dons the tree style, justifying the American name of "bush clover;" sending its long tap root deep down in the sub-soil and its stem two to three feet up into the light and air, wilhj tj.anyb.r.heethillkbr<"'flh --leaves inviting Loom ani .a.u.e. It has, no doubt, been much improved .--..... by introduction into this country. It takes possession not only of unoccupied land and pine. thickets, but grows S among sedges, grasses, briers and weeds, completely eradicating many species of noxious grass and weeds. It subdues eve k broom grass and holds equal con- test with Bermuda grass; in some lo- calities one- yielding, in other localities the other succumbing, while in other spots both maintain equal possession; or one year one may seem to rule and the next year the other. ITS vALwABE QUALITIES. On sands, gravels, or denuded clay hill tops no other plant known to me is so valuable for grazing. Taking a succps- sion of ten years, the same assertion would not be far out of the wayfor rich lands, while few forage plants on these would yield so much or so valuable hay. It is superior to other, forage plants In several important particulars not gener- ally observed by the careless stockman. 1. The growing plant contains less moisture than any other very valuable forage plant, with perhaps a single ex- ception.. Hence, we. never, hear of ani- mals having hoven, or bloat, or scoudrs from eating this plant as when they have free access to red clover, pease and many grasses. 2. We have never found on the Japan clover any fungous growths which are so common on other plants as to cause many deaths annually among animals grazing on them or fed with the hay.3 8. Heavy grazing for a few weeks destroys the clovers, lucerne and most of the grasses, while -this plant may be grazed however closely, whether the season be wet or prolonged drouth prevails, without damage. 4. There is less difficulty of obtaining & catch with this plant than most others. The seed may be scattered on bare, poor, barren ground, rich soil, among weeds and dead. grass, or in March on small grain sown the previous autumn-or winter and a catch will be obtained, 5. The grain being harvested when ripe does not in- jure the Lespedeza, which is ready for the mower through September and Oc- tober. 6. It is, more- easily cured than the clovers, pea vines and many grasses. 7. It does-not lose the foliage in curing as do clovers, pease and some other plants. 8. It furnishesgood g razing from May, some years last of March, till killed by frost in November. PRODUCT AND QUALITY OF HAY. S Oni medium to good land it ranges 'from one to four tons p, acre; and this may be obtained after l-4'ig during the --summl '? harvested fro,.he same land a g oiijop of grain and straw. S So.- .f die farmers, who have been mow .Lespedeza striata for five to ten yean 'gard it a- tire soundest, best, S mos -.golesome and palatable hay they twv-asld. These mowings have ranged from three to, -four hunred tons on S single farms i iSor seasdn..Wet no com- p plonic as to quality or relish of animals foti.toras to. its nutritive value and gqod effect on the stock, ]as ever reach- ed b. -Those who have used it longest - and in largest quantities and kept animals -cattle, sheep, horses and mules-in best condition recommend, it most SECEDING. A measured half bushel of seed per t acre may be sown broadcast the first . week in April south of parallel 32 degrees e latitude, a few days later as we proceed f northward for each degree or two. Sown f in the fall or. winter it springs up but r freezes often throw it out and destroy it. As already stated it germinates and grows on land in any condition, if the surface is not so loose as to let the seed I sink too deep. When land has been t prepared for or sown in grain, the win- ? ter rains put it in about the best condi- a tion for growing this plant for heavy crops of hay. t The only complete proof of the value of a forage plant is found in the -concur- rence of chemical analysis and the ob- servation and experience o'f the stock- man. When the relish of an animal for the forage is keen, the health preserved and improved, growth promoted, a max- imum quantity of excellent beef or mut- ton or pork, and if superior milk and butter are obtained, we certainly have an admirable food plant. The judgment of the cow, the convictions of the far- mer arising from his experience inde- pendent of, and, indeed, in utter igno- rance of, any chemical analysis, confirm- ing the decisions of the chemist, give us the best of all evidences of the value of forage. And all these we have in this case. A SOIL RENOVATOR. Japan clover is also a great ameliorator and fertilizer. : Its abundant long tap and side roots.. decaying, render the soil porous and leave in it much nitrogenous material and humus. It releases and brings up from the subsoil valuable plant food; the ashes containing nearly 40 per cent. potash, 29.60 oxide lime, ric acidi-- 1'ej -- -^* n, a ie a01 rowt. Soils are tht* renovated, slopes prevented from wash'- ing, gullies filled, moisture solicited and retained, atmospheric fertilizers gath- ered and garnered; bald, barren wastes covered with living green to fill the stomach, delight the eye and cheer the heart.- . After a careful study of Japan clover. for fourteen years in an area extending from the Tombigbee to the Mississipp river and from the- Gulf of Mexico toi Tennessee and beyond, and the litera- ture on the subject accumulated-for two centuries, we are gratified with the unanimous testimony of all who have tested this animal and soil constructing industrious little plant. For growing cattle, sheep, swine, horses and mules, ?or rapid .growth, soundness and good condition. the year round,we can do excellently well restrict- ed to Bermuda grass and Japan clover alone; indeed, I would not exchange them for any other twenty forage plants. For live stock, no other one plant has the principles of nutrition so accurately proportioned and adjusted-hone is so near a complete and perfect food as Japan clover. Table read. at West Point by D. L. Phares, October 16th, 1886. Per cent. of nutritive matter in, and value per ton of hays for feeding live stock: - Sg g a > s 0 Lespedeza. Southern Hay Makers. The botanical name of Japan clover It is stated in a recent issue of the is in quite common use, -ind we urge its Columbus Index that Mr. H. H. Brooks, general adoption, first, because it is a of Noxubee county, Miss., has put up simple and euphonious word; second, be- 600 bales of lespedeza hay this season, cause it is more distinctive, the words which he rapidly disposes of at $16 per clover and Japan entering into the names ton. He expects to realize $85 per acre of too many plants beside this; third, be- on his grass land. Mr. John Rand, of cause it commemorates one of the this county, makes a specialty of Ber- Spanish governors of Florida, M. muda grass hay, and says there is more Lespedez, a patron of botany. money in this crop at $10 per ton, than The Lespedezas or bush-clovers are any crop he knows of. He has been in very neat plants of erect or prostrate the business for several years., Dr. Con- growth, which abound in the eastern nell, of this city, markets a large amount portions of the United States and Asia. of Johnson and Bermuda grass hay They are next related to the desmodiums every year, and has done so for many or beggar-weeds, and both are included years'. He says it pays him hand- in the legumious family, to which near- somely. ly all herbaceous forage plants belong. Dr. Saxon, of Lowndes county, is The species we are considering was making the hay business a specialty. named Lespedeza striata, because its He has a large acreage of Bermuda leaves are striate, or marked with paral- grass. He finds ready sa!e for it in the lel lines; this is due to their variation towns of eastern Miqsissippi, as do the and is more or less characteristic of all others mentioned. The Aberdeen Ex- the species. As in nearly all leguminous aminer says that Capt. J. W. Howard, of plants the leaves are trifoliate (composed that city, is largely engaged in raising of three leaflets), and the flowers are pea- hay for market. shaped. The seed-pods are small and We have been told that Mr. John Rand oval, each containing a single seed. A averages four tons hay per acre from his few of the flowers, which are very small Bermuda. We are also informed that and of a purplish color, are represented he secured fifteen tons of Bermuda hay JAPAN CLOvIM'. (Leapedea striata.) 02900 J ,ca near the middle of the accompanying fom two acres, of land. Who can beat _Ss | S cut. ft? It is only a question of time, and a 44 .4.p 4N. > The Lespedeza is supposed to have short time,.too, when western hay will d been introduced into this country about be run entirely out of our southern 13 rr0 .o om a forty years ago, the original seed having countiy.n-So. Lib Stock Journal. a9 q g been brought in a tea-chest, perhaps, - Sfrom Japan or China. In the latter The Curculio Going. S) Q ML country we believe it is called Hoop- That breezy journal, Popular Garden- &0, S&8 Koop. It has spread widely In the ,ig, bring us thie gratifying intelligence S, southern States and has adapted itself that some of the orchardists' inveterate Ito nearly all soils and locations. We enemies are growing beautifully-less. It S cji have seen it beside mountain roads i says: North Carolina and on the brick-like clay It is a matter for great joy that our fields of lower Georgia. In the former enemies, the Curcolio, the Pear Blight location it was of slender, erect growth; and perhaps the Codling Moth, are less- in the latter it had the prostrate, wiry ening their former tight hold. Such is C? growth of knotweed. On tilled land of the case especially in the eastern portions good quality it is erect and inuch- of the coiintry. President Barry lately branched, and furnishes a most valuable said before w.large body of fruit growers hay- ,. that the prospects for pear culture at the S"- --L85!-i- o- Mgg '2" In Florida we think it is confined thus presnt. time Were better than at any a far to what we would term the north- previous time for many years, so far as Western half of the State. .We saw it the light was concerned. Plums have around Ocala last summer and have no never been more productive than for the doubt that it will do finely in cultivation past year or more, while the Codling ig g, :, iin all calcareous sections of the State. M.i- syema certainly to be turning the Sg On clay lands its success is 'not to be cdr'. e may next ectt5 hear bf ,0.0 .^ : : : .^ doubted, but we think it will not thrive the decline of the Cabbage worm, and on pure sand unless rendered compact who knibwswhat others. Take courage, i isture Waldo lst summer D brethern, .bt don't dismiss the remedies AWhen at Waldo last summer, Dr. at onc e. | Ambrose showed us the plant in his. . SI I front yard, complaining thet it was nlthe northern,-eastern and, western g ...60: : ..6 crowding out the Bermuda grass in spite States sorghum is coming rapidly to the & 0,0%a 0 J ,l0 .4 of his efforts to eradicate it. Weadvigsed fronttvaforagedrop. For soiling pur- 00 C . a. him to encourage its growth. On moist poseait fsurpassdA rop -as it yields more o gi .(i atlands which are not cultivated, but pe. acre. stands-drouth better, is easier 5.gO-0. ag09 trampled and grazed, continually, it grO(wm,. It-is a-fine milk and butter pro- C 0a, :-9o=-g,8 forms A.finegreen-swar nd affords u ,perior to corn. Wedo.notap- Soood pasturage. A. H, pC. ppitt as we should atthe South. ORANGE CULTURE ABROAD. VIII.-Some Suggestive Points in the Consular Reports. - Having described in detail the man- agement of a grove from the seed to bearing age, as practiced in one of the oldest orange growing districts of, Eu- rope, we will now cull from the consu- lar reports some miscellaneous hints on the treatment of citrus trees, then on the manipulation of the fruit, after which we will take up the subject of diseases and their treatment. CLEAN CULTURE, is advocated in all the reports and is shown to be practiced pretty generally, though in varying degree. In the bear- ing groves of Sicily it is considered "necessary that the ground be kept per- fectly clean," being worked, five times. from March till October. In Spain they are plowed in March and May ten to twelve inches deep in the middles, and in August, September and October they are hoed. In Mitylene (at the eastern end of the Mediterranean) in the latter part of March, after a thorough pruning, the ground is worked two to three inches -deep around the trees and ppaded ten to twelve inches deep in the middles. In April each tree receives two or three bask- ets of manure. At the end of November of alternate years manure is buried around them a foot beneath the surface. In the neighboring province of Tripoli groves are cultivated five to seven times a year. In Beirut they are cultivated three times a year, when the gi-ound is dry. I'n Turkey they are plowed in June, and hoed at intervals. In Morocco they are cultivatedd with a heavy hoe once a year." TNTERCROPPINO, .nlLm i M. ....... Sicily we are told that vegetables are planted in groves for fire or six years, in the eastern districts they are often thus cultivated, but the practice is not approved of by the best cul- tivators. Jn- Spain where,, accord- ing to. hese reports, trees are pStlanted iunch farther apart than in Sicil, leguminous ,r root crops are planted in the grove* for five or six years, but notipaer than a yard 'from thetrees. In Jamaica and Poito Rico, the orange groves are planted with all sorts of crops and sniall fruits, but the "best growers prefer to keep up a clean cultivation." MIXED ORCHARDS are frequently met with in- Italy, ac- cording to the Consul Gener4l's report. He says: "It sometimes happens, and that not infrequently, that olives are grown together with oranges and lem- ons. When it is desired to substitute a lemon and orange orchard for a vine- yard the vines are left -and bear fruit until the trees grow large enough to cover them with shade, and then the vines are cut down. Olives grown to- gether with oranges and lemons are use- ful to these latter by reason of the.shade afforded: and the; resulting. increased dampness of the ground. "'During the six or eight years suc- ceeding the planting of an orange and lemon orchard the ground can be used for growing vegetables (excepting some few exhaustive kinds), as the consequent manuring and watering favors the growth of the trees." IRRIGATION. On this subject the authority just quoted, says: "Generally speaking, ir- rigation is indispensable for obtaining an abundant yield of fruit. Water is provided in various ways-by damming up springs, digging wells, even to a great depth, making reservoirs and raising the water, when necessary, by artesian wells. Water, for intercrop- ping, is brought by means of little canals or pipes into small ditches dug about the trees, and which are filled two or three times a week. The water used should b not be cold, and, when necessary, should be tempered by exposure to the open air before using it for irrigation." Irrigation is considered necessary in Sicily, where water is brought from mountain streams or raised from wells E by horse power. The same methods are ' employed in Malaga. In Andalusia the a groves are watered every ten or fifteen ays, commencing after the blossoms drop, though many think it injurious be- fore July. k In Morocco water for irrigation is raised from wells by horse-power. In the countries of the Levant much atten- tion is paid to this matter. In Mitylene irrigation is begun the end of May and kepftup.eyery -week or two until autumn. In other provinces it is commenced late in June and continued two or three ] times a week during the summer and early fall. FROST is a danger to which growers are more or less subject in the countries lying north and east of, the Mediterranean. The Consul at Tarsus says, "Some lem- ons and sweet oranges are most sensi- tive to a cold temperature, especially the former, which are sometimes completely ruined." Ini Venetia the orange growers place vessels of water in their groves, and, "-when the water begins to freeze light their stoves. Some begin beating when the thermometer indicates six or seven degrees above freezing point." In Spain "should the weather be cold,' the or hard is irrigated if possible, -and thus the trees do not suffer so' much from it. Should a period of dry weath- er be followed by a lowering of the tem- perature at the time when the :orange' trees are not fully seasoned, the fruit is likely to get frozen, and, to however little an extent this may "occur, the or- ange is useless for shipment." TO STIMULATE BEAmING, Without resorting to methods which are only of temporary- efficacy, and which impair the health of the tree, the* Consul at Kingston. Jamaica, describes the following process: - "To stimulate a bearing tree to its ut- most productiveness, the following plan may be followed: Let a cord be. passed loosely round the trunk of the tree, and, with the distance of the -outermost branches from the stem for a radius, let a circle be marked on the ground the entire circumference of the tree. A deep trench, fully a foot wide, should be dug along this line and be filled up with a mixture of bone dust and ;well rotted manure; finally, let the trench-.be cov- ered- by the-loosened soil.,: The effect of this treatment will be to stimulate "a growth of young rootlets,. which will feed upon the enriched soil of the trench; the result of this will be that a strong growth of young shoots, will ev- ery where take place amongst the branch- _e ; and, as a final coriseguenn. the tree will .be ouna that tffe tree WaW ai in size -to the outer dimensions of the trench." TO RETARD BEARING. beyond the natural season, or to has- tenit -(in countries exempt from frost) methods like the following may be re- sorted to, as described by the Consul at Kingston: "As the orange tree is so pliable under conditions imposed by. art, that, in a tropical climate, it ema be made to give a crop-at any desired time of the year, its blossoming may be hastened by culti- vation and irrigation, and it may also be retarded by suppressing the blossoms as they appear. The retarding process can be effected by beating off the blos- sdins by means of a whip formed out of a cocoanut palm frond. This retarding pro- cess, I have been informed, is actually re- sorted toby the Spanish colonists in Nica- ragua and Honduras."-A. H. C. A New Japanese Orange. W. R. Barbour, of the Azusa, went up to San Fra cisco early iast month to look at a new Japanese orange just be- ing introduced into this country by the Japanese Tree Importing Co., of 120 Sut- ter street. He was. so favorably im- pressed with the fruit that he purchased 500 trees .and will -distribute them throughout Southern California. This new candidate for public favor is named the Oonshio, and is grafted on wild lemon, the stock being partly deciduous, very hardy, and calculated to stand con- siderable frost. The orange is described as resembling our Tangerine, the skin parting freely from the pulp, being very sweet and entirely seedless. The tree is a dwarf, growing 12 to 15 feet in height, and doing well when planted 10 feet apart, being characterized as "a prolific bearer." We judge thatthis will be a valuable addition to the citrus fruits of this State, because it can be grown -in localities where the Navel would be killed or stunted by cold weather. We hope to get an engraving of the tree and fruit before another season and to have some- thing to report of its practical success here. French Grafting Wax. Editor Florida Farmer and Fruit-Grower: To make French grafting wax take one pound rosin and one ounce tallow and melt. Then add one tablespoonful spirits of turpentine and seven ounces strong alcohol, and let it boil until it looks like honey, taking care that it does not catch fire. SLIGH, Fla. A. B. @ Germany teaches horticulture, in her schools. A small nursery is attached to nearly every common school, "and the children are taught to grow trees and vines from grafts and cuttings as well is to plant the seeds and watch the va- rious stages of growth. It would be of 9reat advantage if such a system could be introduced here. ra pa | mg --3