Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-03-02
JACKSONVILLE JOTTINGS.
The State Fair-A Splendid Triumph
The Signal Features of the Dis
play and its Attractive Accessories.


are cemented-a vast amount of valuable in
formation is acquired, and, best Of ALL pano
rama is presented, showing the progress Of
the people in the several departments of indus
try. This spectacle was witnessed by thou.
sands last week with amazement and delight.
There was probably not a single State or Ter.
ritory in the American Union that did not have
one or more representatives present.
There is only single State in our vast
domain capable of getting up such an exhibit
tion in mid winter, and that State is Florida.
In this respect she is unapproached and un :
approachable. How the dwellers on the great
Northern lakes, whose waters are locked in
the rigid embrace Of winter, and upon whose
frozen shores no murmuring ripples break for
months, gazed and wondered at the beautiful
and novel sight that greeted their entrance.
Beds of rare and tender flowers. not singly, but
in prodigal profusion. of all colors and varie-
ties, replenished from day to day with lavish
abundance. Such display would have made
the fortune of a Broadway florist Tables
filled with fresh and tempting vege-
tables in full maturity, while in
New England the sturdy farmer cannot yet
force plow into the unyielding earth. Pyra-
mids of golden fruit that has made our State
famous and is making her citizens rich, with
citron, were everywhere, and we're remarka-
BILE for variety, flavor and excellence. From
this wonderful tree can now be plucked the
juicy, refreshing matured globes, while on the
same limb peep out from the glossy foliage
those snowy fragrant blossoms that look so be-
coming upon the brow of the bluShing maiden
as she approaches the nuptial altar. In the
orange tree now one can see the bud and the
fruit, the promise and the fulhllment.
Standing like sentineIs were the long, slen-
der sugac canes in full tassel, gi'ing the as
CVVHmw kIaNN Il Nos.- F,,I1
ure of their development, and that their juices
had reached the highest degree of Saccharine
maturity. Massive banana plants were inter-
spersed here and there, with clusters of its
tempting fruit springing from the very centre
OF its broad, cool, fan-like frOnds.
Perched upon the very apex of the serriated
leaves that guard its treasure sits the luscious
pine apple, suTm 0unted by its crest Of thorny
foliage, and concealing beneath its rough ex-
terror food fit for the most delicately pampered
palate.
Other productions of the soil were also to be
seen, new and odd to strangers. Sheaves of
rice, bundles of forage plants. such as the teo-
sinte, Guinea and Para grass maiden-cane,
wild millet. etc, baskets of glossy arrowroot,
the casSava, with its wond rous wealth of brown
roots, the African yam, Acum potatoes and
calladium tuberS.
The specimens of fibres obtained from our
textile plants were remarkable, and attracted
great attention. Some OF these were dyed in
various colors and were noticeable for their
length and strength. They were prepared
from the wild jute, bear grass, saw palmetto,
Sisal hemp and Spanish bayonet. In these arti-
Giles Florida has a field that can be worked
most prohtably. Upon the card appended to
the fore of the bear grass was an offer from
four Kentucky bagging factories, proposing to
take 1000 pounds Of the material daily. Now
this plant grows wild all over the State, and its
production can be extended indefinitely under
cultivation One would be surprised to see
what valuable fibre can be obtained from
that despised plant the saW-palmetto Nor is
this its only good quality. Tons and tons are
now shipped North for paper stock while its
roots are rich in tannin. Palmetto hats have
long been fashionable, and many visiting bellies
daunt them, trimmed with Florida grasses, at
Saratoga and other summer resorts.
Conspicuous upon the grounds Curing the
week, and the observed OF all observers when
they appeared upon the streets. were two veri-
table Seminoles, from the vicinity of Fort
Shackelford, in the Big Cypress. They we're
brothers, and were induced to come through
the persuasion of Captain F. A. Hendry, Of
Fort Myers, who wields a great influence
among his Indian neighbors. Billy Tal-he-
hacho, the elder, wore his striking national
costume, gay hunting shirt. the skirt COM
posed of white and black squares belted
around him, while his broad shoulders were
crossed by a double baldric of bead work
His neither extremities were enclosed
in leggings Of dressed deer skins,
material. while a heavy turban of varie-
gated colors encircled his head.
Altogether, he was an object OF note, as be-
Ing bl6 only representative OF MS race VINO Tor
years has visited this city. They received
much kindness, and were shown all the Gu
riosities, visiting the hotels. printing Offices
principal stores, etc. AS a matter of some in.
terest to your fair readers, will state that the
fancy work on BIlly's shirt. which was exc
cuted by his sister, was pronounced by several
ladies who examined the garment as showing
great skill with the needle. The bead work,
ais by his sister, cost her six months of labor
Either through pride or education, these In
dians were very stoics, and although sur
rounded on every hand by objects startling
and wonderful to the unsophiSticated natives
their features wore the appearance of com
plete imperturbability, and betrayed none Of
the emotions excited within,
Billy went home yesterday, happy in the
possession OF new rifle and several other
presents, and will doubtless have wonderful
experiences to communicate to his tawuy
brethren and sisters in the Everglades The
Younger brother has been living with Captain
Hendry for three years, is somewhat educated
and has discarded the Indian costume They
dubbed Governor Bloxham, who shook hands
with them. as Tai la-has-see E-maC no y
Head Chief, or Principal Man." In speak
ing, they invariably accentuate the final sylla-
BILE OF each word. The SemiDoles are interest
ing as being the only uncvilized tribe east of
the Mississippi, and so fearful are they of re-
moval that it is extremely difficult for any one
to obtain an interview with them who is sus.
pected of connection with the government
In all respects the fair was a success The
weather was charming during the en- ire W. elk,
amusements were excellent, and the general
exhibits OF superior character. My thanks
are due the officers OF the association for yari-
GUS couFtestes
JACKSONVILLE, March lin the way of ex-
cellent displays at the late fair Leon. Sumter
and Orange were the banner counties. Their
exhibits comprehended a wider range Of the
actual products OF the soil, and were exceed
ingly merltoriOus.
Leon, aside from her unsurpassed collection
Of jwers, made fine show of solid substan-
tals, illustrating the excellent husbandry Of
her noted farmers. Bales of choice cotton
bags of sound, heavy rice, corn, oats, peas etc.
were tianked by tubs Of lard, and broad sides
of home cured bacon. that suggested a land of
thrlft and abundance. IL our visitors " onld 20
to Middle Florida, and examine her beautiful
hills and wales. her fertile soil. and enjoy for a
season the balmy climate and cultivated society
that she can offer, they would be profoundly
impressed with her various attractions and
would discover that all Of the advantages of
the State were not bounded by the two hanks
OF the st. Johns river
Orange. one of the most progressive counties
in the state, made a display worthy Of her
reputation, and IL its effect is not to add con-
siderably to her population within the present
year, then am no prophet. Among the arti-
cles with which her tables were loaded were
oranges, lemons, lines, 6haddocks. citrons,
strawberries, Japan plunls. pineapples, RuaVas
and bananas, in the line of fruits The vegeta-
BILE department consisted of cabbage. onions.
carrots, pRrsnips, pumpkins, beets, sweet and
Irish potatoes. turnips, endive, chard lettuca
cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli. egg.
plant, tomatoes and English pess. Then there
were corn, oats, syrup. sugar. cane. rye, and a
fine assortment of fruit syrups and preserves
The gentlemen in attendance were courteous.
patient and intelligent, readily responding to
the thousand and one questions with which
they were necessarily piled.
What has been said of Orange apnlies with
equal force and correctness to Sumter and
her sons nave every reason to be proud of
the admiration that her tables elected The
fruits, vegetables and field crops mentioned
above were duplicated, and were In no wise
inferior to those OF ner neighbor. Here, also.
were found q comprehensive assortment of
native woods, with full line of forage plants
several varieties Of soil, mari, rocks, etc Sum
ter Is no laggard in the race of progress and
possesses hosts of energetic, enterprising iE-
dustrious citizens to develop her wonGerfuI
resources
One of the facts demonstrated last week was
the assurance that our farmers can produce
their own long forage, in variety and quality
and abundance to enable them to dispense en-
tirely with the Northern article. Il has long
been asserted that Florida was unable to raise
stock feed, and this branch would never sue
coed. Those who saw the fine specimens of
hay from native and other grasses were sur.
prlsed, and frankly admitted that Florida
could meet this demand upon her abilities
Some choice tobacco was shown, grown from
Cuba seed, by Mr.. II. j. Wilt, Of Gadsden
This gentleman is about to commence a cigar
factory IN Tallahassee, and IL his wares are as
good as the quality OF the tobacco would indi-
cate, predict that his brands will Ia hi0hIx,
popular. 1t is not impossible for Florids
cigars, made from Florida tobacco, yet to rival
the famed HavaRAs " --'~'
Among the notable individual displays of
rrult were those or Colonel Magruder Of In
dian river, and Colonel DaneY, of Putnam
Inc latter gentleman is a veteran in years and
experience, but has all the vivacity and low
business OF youth, and his buoyant nature rem
ders him q general favorite. of course The
above gentlemen hora off hnnaaoroa -