The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-02-22

Editor Floyidian. We have been waiting In
mortal suspense, upon the action Of The present
legislature on the bill to create an Agricultural
Department for the State Of Florida II Is pass
ing strange that this body, composed OF many of
the beat and ablest men in the State, should hes
itate upon the passage Of 20 important and vital
measure.
The time IL now al hand for the farmer to
make his purchases Of commercial fertilizers,
which he cannot do In safety, except under an
ofhcial analysis, directed by authority Of the
State. All purchases made outside Of the protec-
ton Of the State, are at the risk of the farmer,
and in nearly every instance he is swindled. in
having pat upon him aypurious article, wholly
WORTHLESS Again, the planting interest ip Mid
die Florida is to-day, II the lowest ebb A tota
want Of thrift and energy pervades the tiIlers of
the soil Some of our finest lands win this year
be LEFT uncultivated from q want Of means 10
carry on the crops.
It IL estimated from reliable data that there
are now two hundred and forty mules in the
county of Leon, standing idle in the lots Of far
mers, which will not cultivate lands this year,
which they did last year. This will make de-
hundred acres, and q decrease of over 1900 bush
els of corn and over 1900 bales of cotton.
Cotton seed, the great fertilizer for the field
crops, are taken from the farmers, hauled TO the
towns and sold for six cents per bushel, then
shipped to New Orleans and elsewhere TO be
converted into oil and commercial fertilizers
Lands here are becoming poorer every year
under this neglectful and exhaustive system, aud
their market values have run alarningly low
Lands which would bring. fifteen years ago, from
ten to twenty dollars an acre, now sell from 20
cents TO so cents per acre / refer to the Switzer
lands and other lands in the northern part of this
county which were sold at administrators and
commissioners sales, in December and January
last.
The planting interest in this county is almost
entirely lefl in the hands of the negroes, under
the ruinous rental system And until this sys-
tenn is supplanted by the true and legitimate
one of wages, adversely will mark the fate Of
Leon.
This agricultural bill contemplates and intends
this change 1t is proposed by the provisions of
this act, not only to project the farmer in the
purchase of genuine article of commercial fer
tilizer, which will pay him handsomely on the
investment, but ii is designed that he will be
benefited more by the advantages of important
information, obtained through this department.
a. to the proper preparation of the land the
planting and cultivation of the crops, the latest
and best adapted farm implements. the best and
surest varieties Of seed, the raising Of stock and
the cure and prevention of fatal diseases incident
thereto, and upon innumerable other subjects
that pertain to the welfare Of the farmer, all of
which viii be calculated 10 revitalize the droop-
ing energies of our farmers, and give TO the
planting interest throughout the State q new and
healthy impetus. At a cost of about two cents
to each inhabitant this department can be put
into successful operation.
And by its workingsit is confidently believed,
from the exhibits in Georgia, that in the course
OF two years il will not only repay to The State
the amount loaned il, but will pay into the State
Treasury, over and above its annual expenses,
net revenue of from ten TO twenty thousand dol
lars, and thereby decrease taxation.
1t is folly to say that the State is too poor now
to expend money to set up this department; for
if not done now it will never be, for We are be-
coming poorer every year. just because our pro-
ductive wealth is waning, and It's now sought
by this bill TO revive and increase our products.
We do earnestly hope that this all-impoT,ant
measure will not be deferred another day, but
will be called up and passed at once.
To the great credit OF our outgoing and in
coming Governors they endose this measure
heartily. f+a4
And feel sure that there is not member of
this Legislature that will vote against this bin
if he will only direct his attention TO its merits
and become informed rs 10 lis features Those
who may oppose il, will do SO from want of
knowledge as to its merits, and can see nothing
in the depar.m' nj but an expense TO the Stale
yet they are now giving away millions OF acres
of The peoples land TO railroad magnates, but
mark you, your railroads will become worthless
without products 10 transport. FARMER
TALLAHAssEE, FLA. Feb 81. 1881. -a