Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-12-02

DAILY Al"cB
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, November 3d.
Thanksgiving day was observed In very
orderly and quiet manner. In Southern
community the occasion possesses but few
of the features that give it prominence in
Northern latitudes. 1t is not noted In this
direction for family reunions and for twelve
course dinners. These pleasures are re-
served for our Christmas festival, which for
the last two centuries has been the great
day of the year south OF the Potomac. Ser
vices were held in the various places OF
worship. which were we'll attended by the
more serious, while the more volatile passed
the day In various amusements. Inc police
had but little necessity for exercising their
authority.
Ice was formed on the morning OF the
25th, the thermometer showing tempera-
ture Of 80 degrees. IL was not sufhclentY
cold to iniure fruit, but potato vines and
other tender plants were blighted. l saw
basket OF tempting figs brought from across
the river the same morning, and since me
strawberries have appeared in market To-
matoes and other products OF midsummer
can still be obtained, and as the means OF
communication are extended southwark,
these luXurleS can DC udu VIZ
entire winter We have known for some
time that we live in great State, and 1t is
pleasure 10 learn that numerous strangers
are reaching the same conclusion with re-
gard to Florida.
coutinu rus stream of oranges is now
passing through the city. The holidays.
rapidly approaching, will create steaoy
demand for the golden fruit, and the dealers
will be kept busy for the nexE four months.
81 and stalls nrPEent q very
tempting appearance, numbered as they are
with piles of the juicy globes. A large
packing house has recently been erected,
where the fruit is received in bulk from
the groves, assorted and carefully boxed for
shipment by experienced handlers.
Year by year this business grows
larger, and assumes greater proportions.
Sometimes am almost forced to the con-
clusion that the orange industry has been,
in some respects, an injury to Florida. In
the universal and overshadowing attention
that has been given to its culture, other
products, from which perhaps quite as graft
fying results could be obtained, have been
neglected or entirely forgotten. Florida
should not place the orange tree upon pc
desfal as a monarch to whom her children
should render blind obeisance.
Just at present, however, the steamers and
cars come and 90 loaded with oranges.
Cards of commission houses from Northern
and Western cities appear in the State
| papers, bidding for patronage and promising
| speedy and satisfactory returns. Many
mills now devote their time to the produc-
ton of stuff for boxes, while quantities Of
| material are arriving from the North for the
same purpose. From season to season the
trade swells and augments, and the imagi-
nation can take some wild flights In estimat-
ing its future dimensions.
It is no wonder that the fruit is popular, for
a fully matured Indian river orange would
bring a smile of beatitude to the wrinkled
yisage of the crankiest cynic. The reputa-
ton of the Florida orange is now so firmly
established throughout the country, that
counterfeits are frequently palmed off upon
the ignorant. 1t is said that much of the
| fruit from the West Indies and other regions
| is hacked, branded "Florida Orange" and
| sold rs the genuine article. While this is a
compliment to the merits of our production,
| it works an Injury, as the character Of the
| genuine orange is damaged by the inferi-
| oritY of the substitute.
st. Clair-Abrams has deliberately declared
his intention Of taking all the starch out
| of Florida" Mr.. Sinclair, formerly large
manufacturer of starch in New Hampshire,
| has concluded to erect a factory for the
production Of this article at Tavares, the
new town recently laid out by Messrs.
| Abrams and Summerlin on Lake Dora. The
gentlemen mentioned will purchase all the
| cassava they can obtain, even 70 the product
| of five thousand acres. ya hundred
| bushels Of the root per acre considered an
average yield, and twenty c a : per bushel
| is offered by the firm. The plact does not re-
| uuire rich soil, nor very careful cultiva-
/ ton, This offer appears to open q new
| source of income for the neighborhOod in
question, and it is to be hoped that the root
will be largely planted during the coming
season.
| Quite an excitement has been created in
Middle Florida by the high rates for freight
charged on the Jacksonville, Pensacola and
| Mobile r silroad, and merchants and plan
tiers are hauling their cotton across to the
nearest points on the Savannah, Florida
| and Western Railway for shipment to Saw
annsh. Supplies for merchants and others
| are brought overland in the returning
teams. The dissatisfaction is taking
the practical shape of 3 demand for
SUCH a Railroad Commission as is in
force in Georgia, and unless some
adjustment of the present difficulty is had,
the question will probably be brought to the
attention OF the next Legislature. There
seems Just now to be no symptoms Of yield
ing on the part OF either contestant.
Postmaster General James and party re-
ceived every courtesy from the people OF
| this State during his recent visit. Every
effort was made to render his trip pleasant,
| and he doubtless carried back with him
nothing but agreeable recollections. He is
deservedlY much respected as an active and
efficient officer.
| Both the Florida Tropical and Florida
Southern Railroads are pushing with COM
mendable energy to reach their Southern
termini. Iron has been laid on the former
three miles below Qcala, and it is said that
a recent combination has been effected with
foreign and home capitalists to insure its
speedy completion. Money will now be
| furnished in abundance, and all of its equip
ments will be Of the best quality. Contracts
have been awarded for the remainder of the
distance, and several gangs Of workmen
will soon be employed at different points.
The Florida Southern hope to reach Lees
burg by Christmas, and are making the dirt
ly with an effective force of $50 hands.
They want 500 additional operatives, and
these two facts indicate the energy with
which the work is pushed. The entire dis
lance to Charlotte HarbOr has been taken
by Mr.. G. H. Williams, an experienced en-
gineer, and matters on this line move
| smoothly and rapidly.
Towards the east the South Florida main
tains its character for progress, aud has
reached Kissimmee, the new town on Lake
III ii