The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1880-12-15
Florida and immigration.

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mometer indicating IS low as be-
low zero. Snow has been on the
ground since the 18th OF the month.
Residents of forty years standing say
they never knew it so severe and
steady SO early in the season. 1t
makes one think of the sunny days
and starry nights of Florida. When
l first entered Florida the remark
was made, that person becomes in
fataated with the climate, that 1t
grows, as it were, upon you. We
can now truly say it is so. We have
been North since the last of July,
and although everything is alive here,
yet we often long to hear the song
of birds in winter and the peculiar
cattle call, heard SO far off from the
tact Of clear and pure atmosphere,
and the pleasure OF going to work
without beng obliged to put on a
hugh over-coat, drawing the collar
close up to ones ears, with large
woollen mittens, heavy stogey boots,
kicking continually to keep your feet
warm. Oh Florida We sigh for a
glance of thy lovely lakes and rivers,
sparkling like SO many diamonds
under the mild rays of the MONDAY
sun, and apples of silver dancing
during the midnight hours. There
are SO many things that one becomes
charmed with from time to time, that
it is useless to try and describe them.
What we most wish to say just now
is, in regard to immigration 1t is
wonderful what marked difference
there is since we first turned our at
tention towards Florida, in regard to
the efforts made to obtain settlers
for the State, and yet we are only
firing round and then retire, occas-
sionly glancing around the corner to
see what effect the shot had While
1t is not an eloquent phrase yet it is
universal thing west, kansas or
bust" And the reason for this saying
is founded upon the fact of solid
immigration column pouring volley
after yolley into the great centre and
lhorQughtares of the various States.
railroads carr ifs-5~cne -15v.r----,''.
grant almost free, and they are wide
awake an This respect, knowing that
when the lands are taken up, they
will sell their own lands aud get a
paying tariff ever after. While it is
becoming better southwark we are
yet far behind bringing up the rear.
Since the times are good and becom-
ing better, should we not strive TO
bring our forces up to the front?
What say you? Is the present legis-
lature going to make All appropria-
ton adequate to carry out the re-
quirements of the State in this direc-
ton. Think of it ; if an appropria-
ton was made, say of $4,000 or
$4,000 for about two or three years,
using the best levers to heave this
matter into the position it ought to
occupy, it would be so much money
well spent, for this reason: When
once the engine has the train well
under motion, it requires only half
as much steam pressure to keep it
under motion as it required to
start the train. 1t is just as applica
bic in regard to the subject before
us. Occasionly one rallies and ven
lures northward and not without sue
cess, for we see Florida advancing
step by step, But we ought to go
double quick now. - We as State
ought to have. our agents out firing
shot after shot, bring them in, and
turn them over to the most genial
climate in the world, and when they
enjoy the privilege of beholding APP
pies of gold grown in our own fair
America, the Italy of the Western
Hemisphere. l find by contributing
articles relative to Florida in the
various northern papers it brings the
subject before the people, having in
quiries here Qllinois). Some from
Missouri and New York. What is
wanted after this step is to go among
the people delivering lectures rela-
tive to the State, its productives, etc.
Having also samples OF what can be
produced, which goes lar as an aux
ilery in aiding people to come TO a
conclusion who lack information in
general in regard to Florida. Since
the tide has been 50 long westward
it requires special efforts to change
the current, and also the ERRONEOUS
ideas of the political phases. My
home is in Orange county, Florida,