Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-09-15
SUGAR IN FLORIDA,

"With regard to the production of
sugar, it is beyond doubt that these lands.
after being drained, are especially well
fitted for the growth of the tropical sugar
cane. AS far as | have seen-and there is
every reason to presume that all of the
lands to be influenced by the drainage
system are of a similar characteristic
surface soil is composed of decOm-
posed vegetable matter; this varies
from one foot to many feet in depth, and,
so far as organic matter is concerned, it is
apparently ineXhaustible. Drainage is
only the first step in the work of reclaimiug
these lands. There are large tracts where
the vegetation has been kept down by cat
tie which may be rendered arabic bv or
dinary plowing, but the greater portion
VIII be most economically brought into
condition by the use of steam as a motive
power. Heavy plows could then be used
to turn over the tussOckS, canes. and
rough vegetation, which, after being
dried IN the sun, could be gathered into
rude piles, burned, and the ashes spread
over the land.
THE climate here is equally favorable
to that of Cuba for working up the cane.
FrOsts are almost unknown, and when
they do come are so slight as not to iniure
the cane, so that the work of manufacture
can go on throughout the winter, or for
that matter, throughout the year at any
time when desired. Cane is pressed at
all seasons i'll this part of Florida: if it is
not convenient to grind it in October il
may be kept uncut until June. Again.
the cane will ratOon for ten years or more
before replanting is essential. In Louis
lana from % to 30 per cent. of the best
cane has to be used for replanting. These
are important factors when applied to an
industry of this kind.
Another favorable feature is the great
stretches OF pine forests which abound in
proximity to the lower lands. These will
afford the best positions for settlements
high, dry, and as healthy as pine forests
can make lands of this character. The
material for building, and for what little
may be needed for fuel, will also be yield
ed by these woodlands. Other crops can
also be cultivated, such as corn, hay, and
most all kinds of culinary vegetables.
GALL VARIETIES AND SPECIES OF MELONS
can be produced in great perfection
rice, as matter of course, will flourish
well.
nowhere have | seen, what appears to
me, more favorable conditions for tea cul-
ture, or lands better adapted, than can be
selected here. The tea plant, although
hardy enough to stand the climate of
Washington, gives an inferior product
wherever it is subjected to frost. The
IdNOFdDle
for leaf production; enough of the plant
may be grown, at least for domestic use.
even if it cannot be produced profitablv
as commercial commodity, which les
sens in probability as the prices of teas
fall.
"In all sections of the State that have
seen, good, rich spots of land will be found
In low, nat places, generally swampv and
wet, and considered of little value: but
hIQniv oK,d 4 I
would remark that these rejected lands
will at some not distant day be considered
the most valuable in the State, when
dltchlng and draining are properly recOg-
nlZed factors OF improvement. Here, how
ever, the higher lands were dark cOlored.
owing to the decayed vegetable matter
which they contained. In digging
into this soil found the
subsoil grayish, cOlored, evidently from
the teachings OF the decaying vegetable
matter on the surface. Very good yege-
table are produced ON this land. and some
corn is raised; this is smaIl-eared corn.
and an average of twenty bushels per
acre is considered a good crOp. | did not
ascertain whether or not any one had
tried the large-grained varieties of corn
from South and Central America. but one
would suspect that they would do well
here; at least they are worthy of trial.
"ONE OF THE GREATEST WANTS IN
FLORIDA
is that of food for live stock. Northern
grasses and cloyers are of small value;
they are not adapted to the climate. Lu-
cerne, -HedtcdgO SdttUG, has the reputa-
tion of succeeding well in warm climates,
and could doubtless flourish in the rich
bottom lands when once they are fitted
for culture. This being perennial, not
ed for a propensity to send its roots deep
into the soil, would be almost as perma-
nent plant as the dwarf palmetto. and
infinitely more useful. Lucerne is one of
the most ancient of cultivated plants, and
as forage plant for dry, warm climates
has always been held in high estimation.
Among rapid growing grasses none excel
the Italian rye grass, Lolium ualicun.
SEEDS OF this grass, sown in November,
would produce crop tit for cutting in
April for hay. The winter season
being also the dry season. would be so far