The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-08-20

which transportation companies can
carry our products to the Northern
markets. The profits, and hence, the
continuance of the business, has in
this, the beginning and ending. The
shorter the time elapsing between
production and consumption, and the
quicker, consequently, the circulation
between the man who raises the food
and him who requires to eat it, de-
pends the prosperity of all. If our
present proprietors continue in the
business, and new ones are induced to
embark in the same pursuit, it will be
in consequence OF some arrangement
of this kind. 1t seems to us a waste
of time and means to labor at the cnI.
tivation of the soil with the view of
meeting the demands of the North-
ern markets for early vegetables, so
long as the results of our labor are
continually arrested on their passage
to those by whom they should be
consumed.
In this the interest of the common
carrier is identical with our own. A
near market compensates the pro-
ducer for his labor. If he thriyes
others are induced to follow in the
same pursuit, and, hence, in that ratio.
will be enhanced the business Of
transportation.
There is another important con.
slderation in connection with i'm.
proved transportation facilities. IF
the agriculturist and horticulturist,
especially the small land owners.
(the most valuable to the State of ali
producers) continue their avocation
it must be on the basis of more GER.
tain and greater profits otherwise
they will themselves turn day laborers
and the present laborers seek EMPLOY.
ment elsewhere. A great many
small proprietors do not now work
their own lands, because they find a
more certain remuneration in work
ing for others who possess the means
sax ~ y eA=zzl "a, :
pIietors. This is not an encouracing
state OF things. But offer to land
owners the facilitles for CARRYING their
products, in the quickest possible
time, to a profitable market and the
reverse of this order of things will be
presented. Indeed, if we are to see
the time when the general cultivation
of our soil is followed and the adyan.
tages resulting from division of our
lands, we must posseis transportation
facilities at least equal to those of
other sections of the country. Our
geographical position entities us to
the very first. 1t isa well-recognized
principal that near market always
precedes, and never follows the crea-
tion OF real agriculture. Give us a
close market; or speedy transporta-
tion, (Which is only another term for
the same thing and you not only
supply us with motive for develop
ing our lands and our facilities, but a
desire for greater concentration of
our industries, to be followed by the
localization of capital, the creation of
scientific agriculture, thrift, and the
employment of all the appliances re-
quired for enabling community
to add to their independence and
wealth.
There is still another consideration
We are seeking to induce immigra.
ton. We have commissioner who
is appointed by the State for that
special duty. How shall we increase
our population Must we not be
able to show that our chief pursuits.
that of fruit and vegetable growing,
is a certain and profitable business +?
Without this you invite immigration
in vain. But with our abundance of
cheap and fertile lands, and incom-
parable climate for outdoor pursuits,
and transportation facilities once Sc
cured such as we have herein sug-
gested, what section of our country
can present greater advantages for
profitable and permanent occupation?
Whatever tends to invite immigra-
tion, is measure that looks towards
independence and success; but what
ever it may be that tends to compel
emigration, its tendency is towards
dependence and poverty. Every in.
dividual and community is, therefore,
dire@y interested in the adoption OF
measures tending to promote a larger
lsuccess in our various pursuits, and,