Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-02-20
THE LAND OF FLOWERS.
MIR. WEBB To NARRATE ITS
HISTORY IN A BOOK.

Shortcomings of the Recent state Fair
and Their Cause-How the City Was
Benefited - California No Rival of
Florida in Orange Culture-PoInts on
Marketing the Fruit.
Correspondence Of tie Morning Nesos.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, Feb. Is-Our enter
prising city directoryman, Mr. W 5. Webb.
has announced his intention of publishing
work to be entitled Historical, Industrial
1 and Biographical Florida" 1t Will be pro
! fusely illustrated, and VIII contain a fun and
accurate description OF each Of the counties
with their cities, villages and hamlets, prin-
cipal orange groves and general industries.
1t Is TO be issued in parts for distribution by
the different sections, and viii form, when
completed, a large volume. filed with most
important statistics and valuable informa-
/ tion.
The publication of such work is the very
best evidence of the view taken of the pro-
gress and prospective position of Florida
among her sister States and a satisfactory in
dication of her present Importance and future
growth and prosperity.
\ corps of writers and artists is alreadv
engaged in preparing matter for the work
which VIII be full and complete in all its de-
tails, presenting sketch Of the present his
tory Of the State.
OF the departments as some Of the previOus
exhibitions, it fully met and even surpassed
general expectation. 1t must be remem-
Dered that the winter has been Of uuusuaI Sc
verify, and that the effects OF the frost had
been felt TO greater or less extent all over
the peninsula When this matter is properly
considered 1t Will be seen that the managers
OF the enterprise had many and serious diff
culties to encounter There were not want
ing those who foretold failure and disaster.
In the face of these obstacles the managers
fry and on
ergy, and succeeded in soaring cOmmenda-
bic triumph, for which they are to be con-
graduated. In fruits the taIr was pretty well
up to Its usual standard. Vegetables and
towers We're not as fine or abundant, as on
former occasions, although the display of
these was quite creditable.
THE FAIR BROUGHT TOGETHER
an unusually large coucourse of people and
a considerable amount Of money was ex-
pended by the visitors. Hotels, boarding
houses, livery stables, railroads, steamboats,.
ana the merchants were all gamers by the
enterprise and did a brisk business. The
benefits of such an occasion are numerous and
widely distributed, and should induce the en-
TIRE community to give IL their support and
cOuntenance.
The MORNING NEWS of last Thursday was
splendid exponent of the resources of your
@ @esta32liishment. But few papers anywhere
could nave gotten out such full and vOlu-
mln0us report of the transactions Of the Ag-
rcultural Association, and the achievement
adds another to the frequent honors won by
the NEWS.
During the meetings Of the Fruit Growers
Association many Interesting papers were
presented and much valuable Information
AHordeu IN the discussions that followed
Mr.. j. A. Harris, one of the ''orauge kinga's
OF Marion county, related his cXnel iences last
summer while on visit to the fruit districts
OF CalliOrnla. lie assured his hearers that
FLORIDA need never apprehend any serious
competition from the Golden State in the pro-
duction of oranges, as he saw none OF this
lrult that would compare with that grown in
Florida in juiciuess or richness of flavor he
considered, however, that California sur
passed us IN careful cultivation of the groves
In their method of irrigation and in the su-
periority OF their fruit cars California can
peat us IN pears. grapes. etc. but in oranges
she must take the second place.
MR.. P. P. BISHOP, AN AUTHORITY
on the same subject, and a most successful
grower thought that the orange producers
should have greater concert Of action with
regard TO gathering, packing and shipping
tfult. IL was frequently marketed when I'M
mature, thereby damaging the general char
acteI OF the crop, and injuring the prospects
Of the crop. Frequently it was consigned to
irresponsible parties, who either made forced
sales or stored IL IN badly ventilated aDart-
ments, where 1t rapidly deteriorated Again
he considered it desirable that an understand,
ing should be had whereby those who resided
IN sections liable TO Frost should first gather
their fruit as thereby there would be less
danger of Cutting the market lie men
TONED another fact of interest-that a
smaller number OF oranges was reuuired to
fill an ordinary crate, when gathered after
Christmas, than If pulled previous to that
season. This statement was corrOborated bv
Mr.. Bean, an experienced packer, and goes to
show that the fruit acquires greater size and
value when marketed later in the season.
Another matter that required attention was
the selection OF a greater number of markets.
The business capacity and facilities of con-
signees should also be cautiously examined,
and any cases of negligence and unfair deal
ing should at once be reported for publica-
ton. If thorough understanding could be
arrived at on these several points, he thought
that many losses and veXations would be
avoided and that the general interests of the
growers would be greatly promoted
1ree interchange Of opinion was had dur
ing the meetings, and much that was pracfi-
cal ana valuable was elected. There is still
much to be learned, however. as the orange
industry Is yet in its infancy, and the gather
ing Of this association brings out a large addi-
ton annually to the general stock of informa-
ton.
An EPIDEMIC OF INFANTICIDE
has broken out among the negroes here, there
having been four cases of this character re-
Gently. An example is much needed, and the
penalty should be prompt and severe.
The falf IN aid OF st. Luke's Hospital viii
be opened to morrow. This is a noble charity
and accompllshes much good.
orange trees are ia bloom in this county
II