Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-03-23


aume-PrOductivene OF Csssava
as Compared wish COrn-money
and a Market for ATS GrOwers-Gov.
BIOxham InteFVIeWed-His Able
Article-An Immigration DOeu-
ment-H G and Dry WeaIher-NOr-
thern Birds MIgrSlIng-Va Various
Notes.
JACKSONVILLE, March 22.-Among the pro-
ducts of Florida that have not received the
attention they merit pre-eminently stands
forth the cassava 1t has of late attracted
some notice from the large percentage of
starch which it contains, for which article a
large demand exists for the sizing of cotton
domestics and cllicoes. Northern maDufac-
turers have discovered its value for this pur-
pose, and capital is now ready to erect works
on large scale for the manufacture of cassava
starch so soon as a sufici mt quantity of the
crude material can be procured.
1t is asserted that it can be proftably grown
upon the poorest and sandiest soils, and that
the fat woods and palmetto scrubs can be
utilized for the purpose Perhaps no root crop
that is planted in Florida returns heavier
and more certain yield The Barlow Informant,
in an interesting article upon the subject.
states that fair average land will produce forty
tons, or fourteen hundred bushels of the roots
to the acre, and that one hand, with good
team, can tend seventy-f1ve acres.
Another advantage consists in the fact that
there is no special season for gathering the
crop. and that it may be allowed to remain in
the ground until needed. The tubers are often
of enormous size, the product from a single
plant sometimes weighing from 30 to go pounds.
The same authority, above quoted, says: by
recent experiments and the fullest tests. it is
shown that cassava contains greater quantity
(of glucose) to the ton than anything else, and
that, according to price, it can be more cheap
ly made from these roots than otherwise, and
at the same time utilize the starch; and still
further. the reslduum will make the tapioca of
the market
1t Is well known that the manufacture and
consumption of glucose are constantly and
rapidly increasing, and that large amount of
capital is now employed in this business, while
those who are engaged in its preparation are
accommodating immense fortunes. A short crop
of corn, from which grain glucose is chiefly
obtained might so advance prices as to render
the preparation of this article Improbable,
and for a time at least have the effect of clos
ing the factories
How important to the great interests involv-
ed, therefore, must be the discovery of a sub
stitute in the event of such a contingency.
Now, il is estimated that one acre of caSSava
in Florida will yield twenty-fOur times as much
glucose as an acre of corn in the Northwest,
and that cassava is not subject to the same
menJs aoove made are correct, and the investi-
cation now being made will determine their
truth or talsity, it can be seen at glance what
an opening will be afforded to the people of
Florida.
The manufacture of glucose is comparative
ly of recent growth in this country and yet
400, 900 tons of this article were produced last
year. The production of starch was infinitely
greater than this amount, and with the rapid
increase OF cotton mills, its demand will be
proportionally increased. Hence. there prom
ises to be wife field for the employment of
capital, energy and industry in the cultivation
Of cassava.
Some of the specimens of the plant shown
at the late fair, were closely examined by the
keen, shrewd men from the North and West,
who were very favorably impressed with what
they learned on the subject
In South Florida, the roots are often fed to
live stock with good reSultS-horSeS, cows and
other animals eating it with avidity.
Mr. Sinclair. Of Orange county, formerly
large manufacturer of potato starch in New
Hampshire. has erected factory, and Is only
r. stricted in the extent of his operations by the
difficulty he experiences In obtaining an ade-
quate supply of cassava. He is a man of much
experience in this business, and is fully salts
fed with the success thus far achieved. He
will take an unlimited quantity of the tubers,
at such prices as should encourage its exten-
sive cultivation.
This is another of the industries that ought
to engage the attention of Floridians, and that
should not be entirely shaded by the foliage of
promoted as far as possible, as such a system
is the best for the general public Should such
calamity as the freeze Of 1885 ever be repeated
in this State. the results to the people of East
Florida would be disastrous in the highest de-
gree. If diversified farming were more gener-
ally pursued. such a dispenSAtion would only
involve portion of the community in ruin.
One of the cleareSt, most concise, accurate
and comprehensive articles ever given to the
public concerning the advantages, products.
growth and 6, neral prospects of Florida, is to
be found in the recent interview OF Governor
Bloxham by a reporter OF the New Orleans
Times Democrat The facts and figures therein
set forth are remarkably correct and will bear
the test of the closest scrutiny. IL is docu-
ment of exceeding value, inasmuch as it briefly
answers all the questions that concern a pros
pective immigrant, and in my opinion iG should
be published in pamphlet form by the State
Bureau of immigration, the different railroad
companies, and all corporations owning large
tracts of land for general circulation. The'e
has not yet been published any paper giving
such important and varied information upon
so many topics relating to the condition OF
Florida as the article to which have referred,
The subjects treated of are immigration,
Timber, Railways, Manufactures, Education,
Politics, Colored Population, Finances,
Asylums and Prisons, Agriculture, Population.
Atlanta Exposition, Orange Culture" There
are many details mentioned in connection
with these heads that leave lit le to be added
The Governor estimates the number of actual
settlers wi hin the State for the year 1881 at
twenty thousand and states that tue increase
of taxpayers for that year was 10 per cent.
greater than for the preceding year. The most
of these persons possess some means, and are
in comfortable circumstances. There are but
few foreigners, most of the new corners being
from the Southern, Middle and Northwestern
States, with fair proportion from New Eng
land.
There are IL, ,OOO, 900 acres of United States
lands, of various qualities, AMI 30,OO0,0O0 of
acres in the State are good timber lands,
principally pine. 1t was estimated two years
ago that there were standing 6,615, 900 OO0 feet,
board measure) of pine lumber, and that
there had been cut, for the year, ending May,
1881, 203, ,054, 900 feet. The production of this
lumber is rapidly on the increase. There is
great activity also in rhe rosin and turpentine
business.
No less than thirteen new railroads are now
being constructed In different parts of the
State. This is a fact Of the greatest signifi-
cance, and Is one Of the surest evidences of
the progress that the State is making towards
material prosperity.
at present there is but one cotton fectCvy,
but several cotton-seed mills are about 20 be
established, and sugar reflneries starcL iac-
tories and paper mills are in process of con-
struction.
There are many other subjects discussed by
the Governor. to which shall allude hereafter.
The entire document is most creditable to Gov.
Bloxham in its scope and statistics, and must
produce happy effect upon the country.
We are suffering from severe and protract-
ed drought while the temperature is summer
eral days past between IS and 80 degrees. This
weather is causing our visitors to leave by
hundreds, and the transportation lines North
ward have all they can do to furnish accom-
modations. The Waycross Line is doing
splendid business, both in the carriage or
freight and passengers. Our visitors only
leave to return again with reinforcements.
One winter passed in Florida creates an un-
quenchable desire to try another.
The tragedy in Fernandina is rather remark
able in some respects. No motive has yet
been discovered tnat would tend TO the COM
mission of such an act, and both parties be-
loDged to q race not prone to such deeds or
violence. Germans, as class, are peaceable,
phlegmatic people, and prefer to resort to ar
gument to settle a difficulty rather than to
blows. knew both OF the parties previous to
the war, and would never have suspected
either as an actor in such a sad tragedy.
Colonel Horatio Bisbee, the champion Con-
gressional contestant, may have found plant
and partisan committee to make report in
his favor, but he may not find as smooth sail
ing when he launches his leaky bark within
the entire House. The Democrats will be in
honor bound to oppose such an outrage, and
there will sure be found sufficient number of
Just and conservative Republicans to unite
with them in preventing so palpable and fla
grant an act OF injustice
There is a fair prospect that hundred or
more refugee Russian Jews will accept Mr..
Disston's munihcent offer of a home in Florida.
Negotiations for such a purpose are in active
operation.
On the ground that "half loaf is better
than none,'' we should be content with the ap-
preparation Of $150,000 for continuing the work
at the mouth Of the river. We had hoped for
half million. which amount would probably
have been sufficient to complete the system of
Jetties as contemplated. W. II. B.
Pleading American Citizenship.
LONDON, March 22.-Dr. Edward Nathan
Gantz, who was recently committed for
kwfA IL - III 49,