The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1884-06-11

beautiful pericarp. These characters
tics especially distinguish the greater
par. of the beautifbf varieties; hence
the varieties are dub only to an extraor-
dinary formulation which acts upon the
seeds and modifes em at the moment
of their conceptions.
Florida and It's Rspid Development.
a State that is ablk to supply the de-
nafld of nation of ever fifty millions of
people with even ona article of food and
commerce, the supply of which can
never exceed the demand, and whose
soil is alone of all the members of the
nation adapted to the growth and pro-
duction of that article, certainly pos
sesses an immense resource of wealth,
and is Just as certain to enjoy an ever
increasing prosperity which must keep
pace with the DEVELOPMENT OF the State.
When, in addition, it isscapable, with
proper development, Of producing
number of the necessaries Of life in suf-
ficient quantities to feed all its sister
States; when its climate and situation
are such as to make it for the major part
Of the year most attractive and bene-
fetal health and pleasure resort for all
people; when its geographical situation
is such as to make it the natural artery
for the transportation and exchange of
commerce and productions Of great ma
tions naturally bound to each other and
producing articles produced by the1other,
it certainly can be said to be blessed by
Providence and to be limitless in it's
wealth and possibilities.
Such is the enviable position occupied
by the State of Florida, which, since at
tention has been called to it, has been
and is rapidly increasing in population
and prosperity, is being greatly develop
ed, and offers alike t5 the investor, the
agriculturist, the pleasure seeker and
the emigrant the greatest inducements
and certainly ample rewards.
CLIMATE, SOIL ASp PRODUCTION.
The peninsula of Esfida extends to
within ninety miles AISIayana, Cuba,
being the southern ~ # the Tinted
~ 4 49, :. ss N :.
sl!S gss1g s,,s az, s 3: s. Euzg
fore Very Il healthy, its death rate being
smaller than that ofsal5y other OF the
United States, this being due, doubtless, |
to the peculiar situation OF the State,
which, although a tropical and semi
tropical region, is but a harrow neck OF
land extending out into NJ ocean and
swept from east to west and est to east |
by constant currents of salt air. The |
mean relative humidity is but little diff |
ferent from that of Minnesota; and even |
IN summer the thermometer rises higher
IA New York, Boston and Montreal than |
st. Augustine, Tampa and Key West, |
where sunstroke, so common IN the
North. is neUer. known. 1t is no wonder
hat the State has become great winter
resort, and that large amounts OF capital
IRE being invested there by wealthy citi-
,ens of the Northern States in the winter
homes and in orange groves. Yet, IN
he southern portion OF the peninsula,
here are sites for pleasure and health
escorts in winter unequalled by any else
where in the State or in the United
States.
By virtue of its climate and soil Florida
S capable of supporting dense popula-
ion, as it produces all the necessaries OF
ife in abundance. The population is in
,reasing rapidly, and the increase of
wealth pro rata is greater than that OF |
any State in the Union. The whole of |
the peninsula is peculiarly adapted to
the cultivation of vegetables to be sent |
10 the northern markets in winter and !
early spring, when they cannot be grown |
in the Northern States. The land avail |
able for this culture is sufficient to fur |
nish every city in the Union north of |
Florida, throughout the winter and early |
spring, with all the vegetables of a |
Northern summer. 1t lis the only State |
where garden vegetables are, or can be |
grown in the open air in every winter |
1t is only five years since the
shipment of vegetables from Florida |
commenced as a business, and it has in |
creased each year withWonderful rapldl-
ty. But Florida is,alsd the largest pro-
ducer of naval stores OF all the States OF
the Union besides an enormous quantity
of magnificent pine lumber, and has the
largest tract of country known to exist
in the world adapted t3 the production
of the most valuable cotton grown,
namely the Sea Island In addition, it
is the only locality in the United States
where the sugar cane produce tassels-
the evidence of the perfect growth.
There are sufficient sugar lands in
Florida to be opened up to produce ten
fold more sugar than is now raised in the
United States, and by the aid OF drain-
age, now being effected, enough for the
use of the nation for a hundred years to
come.
ORANGES.
But the greatest Of all Florida produc-
tions is her world-famous oranges, the
growth of which has become one of the
Staple productions Of the United States,
and one now increasing in geometrical