Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-07-27
TALLAHASSEE TOPICS.
The Summer ExOdus-Middle Flor
Ida AWake-Fine WOOl-The Reed
SFndieRte-The Wet Season.

TALLAHASSEE, July 25.-EditOr Morning
Netcs Tallahassee is not unlike other cities of
greater pretensions. Every summer there is
general hegira to various places Some wend
their way to Saratoga and the Canadas; others
spend the heat Of the season at some pleasant
resort among the mountains Of Georgia or the
Carolinas. while a far greater number visit our
own watering places nearer home. The per
centage of those going of this year is much
greater than usual as is evidenced bv
the very slim attendance at our
several churches on Sundays st. Teresa, on
the Gulf. being quite near, and q steamer
having at last been put on the line, is
fast becoming a favorite resort; so much so
that large hotel there is Indispensable. The
exodus at this present year beng so much
larger than usual is an evi4ence OF the growing
prosperity Of this section. Money is more
PLENTIFUL as farming has become more re-
munerative.
Usually at this time of year there
is more or less political excitement,
which wakes In intensity until the
November elections. at present, however,
there seems to be but little interest manifested.
nearly every one being busy with his own affairs
or with some measure of public utility hooking
to the development Of this section, Her rich
lands, fine climate and energetic people made
Middle Florida at one time the garden spot of
the State. Here for a long time was concen-
trated the wealth and intelligence of the for
mer Territory and subsequent State. Here was
originated that grand system of internal i'm
provement that reflected such luStre on
its authors, and resulted in much good to the
State. From here to st. Marks was the second
railroad ever constructed in the South, and at
this point was established the first bank in the
then Territory. But the sons, not content with
the laurel worn by their fathers are now ear
neSty seeking not only to recover their lost
ground, but to eclipse the former by making
fC offp tI,nv, TtAr
the last decade or two Middle Florida has
been a terra incOQnitO to the outside
world, and but little effort was made
to improve our condition or make
known the immense resources of this section
But OF late-thanks to the new life infused
among u.s. the liberal use of printers ink, and
the success attending new elements Of indus
try-a change has taken place, and Middle
Florida lands are being sought after. The
people OF Leon county, appreciating the supe-
rior soil, climate and rich products of what is
truly called Piedmont Florida, " have issued a
very credltabie pamphlet of about sixty
pages giving a full fair and frank
statement of the soil, products and
climate of this section. This pamphlet has
been widely circulated. and in consequence
there has been from time to time quite an in
nux or visitors making inquiries about our
lands Corn, cotton and sugar cane having so
long been the staple products Of this section,
but little attention was paid to anything else
until of late years. It is now found that the
casSava will do better here than in East or
South Florida 1t yields larger percentage
of starch than any other root or grain, it is
easily cultivated. and is said to be a very
profitable crop. In view of the a1aptaoility
of our soil and climate to its successful cul
ture, believe that certain parties contemplate
putting up mill for the manufac u-e of
starch, thus affording a ready market to all
who may cultivate it
Considering the vast extent of pine forests,
not only in Florida, but all through the South.
l have often wondered that they were n t util-
lied for other purposes than lumber and tur-
pentine.
In Bres'au, Germany, they have, for thirty
years past. been making from the leaf of the
p61llts ylUeStriS what they call pine l0OOI ALI
of the mattresses in their hospitals are made
from this material. Besides its durability, it
is, from its peculiar odor, possibly, fatal to
bedbugs. In the manufacture of it an essen
ttal oil is obtained that is used extensively for
rheumatic complaints. Ia France some or the
stores have only what they call pine tOOot
goods. Not only mattrt SSeS, carpets and towels.
but clothing also are made from this fibre. l
was recently shown. by Rev. j. S. Hugon, OF
this place, samples of this manufacture. They
were of straw color, and very durable
He had two pairs of pine wool gloves which
he said he preferred to wooden ones. He had
some OF the coarse wool used for stuffing mat
tresseS, some finer for spinning and weaving,
and some of the yarn, On my suggesting that
its peculiar nfiammability would render the
cloth unfit for clothing, he showed that it was
not combustibe as wool or cotton, for in
attempting 10 ignite portion of 1t, after flash
ing up the flame Immediately became
extingushed. IF, as is claimed, the manufac-
tured goods can be sold in Germany and France
as cheap as woolen here they could be made
at a much less cost, as ths raw material could
be obtained for little or nothing. What logging
camp would object to the gathering of the
green pine straw after the trees were felledY
AS Mr.. Hugon hes promised to make inquiries
among the manufacturers In France, it may be
that in the nos very distant future l may
chronicle this as still another new industry
among us.
There is a rumor that the Reed syndicate
have sold that portion of their road extending
from the Chattahoochee to Baldwin for two
millions to the Louisville and Nashville Rail
road Company. Whether this be true or not
cannot ascertain. There are those who deny
that any such transaction has occurred, while
others believe that such step is being dis
cussed. Our State officials, with whom have
conVerseJ are in the dark For myself, am
inclined to the belief that sale of that portion
of the road is intended Sir Edward himself is
but the representative of others. They will not
have the means to carry out in its entirety
their vast railroad system, and hence it will be
necessary to sell a portion. AS the lands pur-
chased from Disston lay nearer the East Flori-
da section, as most or this system is in East
and South Florida, If they sell any 1t will be from
Baldwin to the Chattahoochee. l have said
the syndicate would not have the means to
carry out the gigantic system laid out for them
in this State. base that opinion from another
rumor to the effect that they expe-
rienced some difficulty in obtaining funds for
the Disston purchase. the balance due after
and Central Railroads, and that the amoubt
due on the road from sale to st. Marks was
not paid. This of itself looked like an aban-
donment Of this portion Of their work. But
| these are mere surmises, and few weeks, at
most, i'll show whether the alleged sale was
perfected or not. But whether this is false,
| our condition is much better than when the
| roads were in the hands of receivers Freights
have been materially reduced. We can give
| two trains day (Which we never had before
in the summer), and our mails arrive regu-
| larly on time.
The rainy season still continues, and every
| planter l now meet with is very desponding
| The cotton has begun to shed its forms, and
the dreaded caterpillar has given tokens Of his
| early appearance. Unless a change occurs
| soon the cotton crop will only be about one
| half the average. On Sunday it rained pretty
much all day, and again at night Yesterday
was another rainy day, and again last night it
| came down in torrents. Thus it is from day to
| day, and has been for weeks past, until our
| planters are getting quite disheartened. On
the other hand, it is fine season for the sweet
| potato, and the crop will be unusually large.
Among the applicants for the position of
| principal Of the state Seminary located here,
| was Gen. r. z. Colston, who. for six years, was
| in the service of the late Khedive of Egypt
| The General is not only a gallant soldier and
did good service during the late war but is
also an accomplished educator, and fortunate
| is the institution that secures his services AS
| the board had already elected principal when
| Gen. Colston's application was received, no
action was taken. LEON.