Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-02-10
C0C0ANUTS IN FLORIDA.
A GROWING INDUSTRY IN THE
LAND OF FLOWERS.

Much Land RecIaimed-The Dredge 9
Success-Hestility to the Ship Canal
Bill-An Ethiopian In the Wood Pile
Convict Camps Visited.
TALLAHASSEE, Feb. S.-while in converse.
tion with Lieutenant Governor Bethel recent.
ly, gathered some items of interest relative
to the cultivation Of the cocoanut palm in the
vicinity of Key West. He states that most OF
the nuts germinate without difficulty, the per-
centage of those failing being insignificant
He and his brother-in-law have started a
grove or 1850 trees on small island twenty
miles from Key West, and the young plants
are thrifty and vigorous. The principal an
noyance is from rats, that eat down the shoots
and to some extent check their growth
Strychnine is found effectual in thinning the
rodents.
At six or seven years the tree begins to bear,
and Is estimated to produce nut for each day
OF maturity. The cOcoanut shows fruit at all
stages OF development, from the flower to the
rlpened product. Besides being highly orna-
mental in appearance, the fruit is an article
OF considerable commercial Importance, as the
demand from the factories that prepare it in q
desAccated form, and also its large employment
IN confectlOnery,is is constantly on the Increase
The estimated value of the yield is from seven
to ten dollars for each tree, and the cultivation
Is not as careful or expensive as are required
for the orange.
Many are engaging In this industry around
the coral reefs in the southern portion of the
State, and as the tree attains a great age and
is q certain producer, the result cannot fail To
be highly profitable to those engaged in the
business. In few years the KEYS will pre-
sent beautiful appearance, fringed as they
VIII be by border Of this most graceful vari-
ETY. of the palm family.
1t will remembered that some time since q
correspondent was sent out by the New Or
leans Times Democrat to explore the Okeecho-
hGanN
age scheme, the health of that section, its
adaptability for the cultivation OF sugar, etc.
The reporters views have been given through
MS paper, and are of an exceedingly satsfac-
tory character. He describes the soil as of
wonderful richness and fertility, composed
almost entirely of the decomposition of vege-
table matter, and extending six or eight feet
in depth. Strange to say, he ascertained also
from those employed on the dredge, that the
men had enjoyed fine health, and that there
had been, in several months, only a single
case of sickness. During this term also, they
had been exposed to various Vicssitudes being
compelled to work much in the water, while
they slept between banks of mud.
Much land has been already reclaimed and
is now two feet above the lake level. There
can be no doubt of the success of the enter
prise and of the addition of an immense body
of most valuable land to the resources OF
Florida. Rice and sugar-the latter especi-
ally-will be grown around Lake Okeechobee
very largely, and in many years the yield of
these important crops will be something mar
velous.
Capt. Dyke, of the Floridian, has in his pos
session complete file of the Pensacola Gazette
for the years 1924 26-27, and even at that
early date the people of Florida were discus
sing the necessity and feasibility of the con-
struction of ship canal across the peninsula.
Then, as now, they were urging as arguments
in its favor the security of life, saving of time
and diminutiOn of insurance, etc., all of which
reasons are being brought to the attention of
the present legislature Nearly sixty wears
n nj Sfofo
so much interested, and considered the matter
Of such national Importance, that corps of
engineers was sent down to make prelimi-
nary survey, with the intention of giving the
scheme national support.
The discussion yesterday revealed strong
hostility to the ship canal bill,
and many of the Senators do not
attempt to disguise the suspicious they enter
tain. The striking out of the name Of Simon
Cameron from the list of incorpOrators was
brought about by dispatches and letters re-
celved from that venerable gentleman, de-
claring that the use of his name was entirely
unauthorized. Besides this, the names of such
men as Ben. Butler, Gen. Malone and Gov.
Cameron, of Virginia, have failed to strength
en- the bill with several Senators.
Many declare the existence of full-grown
Ethiopian in the wood pile, although they
cannot exactly define the exact locality of the
dusky individual. Some very plain talk was
uttered in yesterdays debate, and the further
consideration, which will be resumed some
time to-day, will probably renew the scenes of
yesterday.
have not been able to attend the sessions of
the State Sunday School Convention, but learn
that the meetings and addresses have attracted
large audiences, and that the proceedings
have been interesting and profitable.
1t will be heard with regret that Governor
BloXham will be unable to deliver the open
ing address at the State Fair next Tuesday
The pressure of public buainess will not per
nit him to be absent from the capitol at this
juncture.
A necessary bill has been introduced pro-
viding a method whereby jurors in criminal
cases in the courts Of Justices of the Peace
and in the courts Of County Judges acting ex-
oficiO as Justices Of the Peace in this State
may collect THEM fees. In numerous such
cases men are called from their employment
to attend petty cases before such tribunals
and frequently receive no compensation for
their services. This bill is designed to remedy
this evil.
The bill fixing the liability of persons and
corporations for damages resulting from the
death of any one caused by the wrongful act,
negligence, carelessness or default of such
persons or corporations, was amended by Col
Mcclellan as follows:
Every action shall be brought by and in
the name of the widow or husband, as the
case be, and where there is neither widow
or husband surviving the deceased then the
minor child or children may maintain an ac-
ton, and where there is neither widow or
husband or minor child or children then the
action may be maintained by
any person or persons dependent on
such person killed for support and where
there is neither Of the above class of persons
to sue then the action may be maintained by
the executor or administrator, as the case
may be, of the person so killed, and in every
such action the jury shall give such damages
as the party or parties entitled to sue NAV
have sustained by reason of the death of the
party killed: Provided, that any action in
stituted under this act by or in behalf of a
person or persons under twenty -one years Of
age shall be brought by and in the name of a
next friend" ,
The ship canal again occupied the entire
morning session of the Senate. Amendments
were shOwered thick and fast upon the desk Of
the Secretary, and the discussion was general
and spirited. Senator Mann appears to be the
especial champion and defender of the bill
and bowed himself manfully in the contest, The
amendment reducing the right of way one
half was adopted, This action appeared to be
extremely distasteful to the three gentlemen
lobbyists, here to urge the passage of the bill,
who manifested considerable chagrin, and
left the chamber in apparent disgust.
Some twelve or fifteen amendments were
undisposed of when the Senate adjourned and
there are numerous others to be offered 1t
looks now very much as if the whole project
would fall through. The bill will again be
taken up tomorrow
The Senate committee to visit the convict
camp reported this morning. They found 1876
convicts near Live Oak, where they are en-
plOyed in turpentine farms. Three -fourths
are cOlOred. There are only two females, both
white, and both under life sentence. Only
one convict was under medical treatment.
and only three, one OF them paralytic, were
unable to do full duty. The prisoners are
well fed and clothed, the food being ample
and of good quality and the clothing ample
and comfortable.
Punishment is rarely inflicted and produces
only temporary suffering.
The committee recommend an appropriation
of $500 for the religious instruction OF the con-
vlcts, and also that the length of time for
hiring the conyicts be extended from two to