Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-17
MR. TAIT INTERVIEWED.
Dissatisfaction OTthe sara SOtaCOIonIsts
is Not so Great ss Reported.

OissatisfAOtiOn OTtho SARA SotaCOIcnists
Is Not 80 Great IS Reported.
From az JacksOm0ille Fla.) Times Union,
Mr.. j. ). TAFT, founder of the colony OF
OrmlstOn, Sara Sots, 10 Ia this city, stay
ing at the st. James Hotel. Mr.. TAFT ia
awaiting the arrival of his family from
Scotland en- route for Sara Sofa, where be
intends to settle permanently. Inter-
viewed by our representative yesterday,
Mr.. TAFT said that Of the entire c0iOnists
who purchased fOrty-acre plOts and
actually landed at sara Sofa, about one
hfth had left or were believed TO be
leaving. None mad gwen up their plots.
The entire colony mad been good deal dis
cOuragad. FIRST, by the opinions expressed
by the natives, and, second, by press agi-
tation. Time mad removed many OF the
original difficulties confronting the set
Tiers and added greatly to their comfort,
and meantime they had got accustomed
to the different conditions of life and mad
grown more attached to the country. The
difficulties remaining might be said to
have crystaiized themselves intO one OBJ
jecuOn-that there 10 no substantial evil
dence that a reliable livelihood can De
made out Of truck farming and orange
growing. While there Is no lack OF evil
dence that large incOMes have been made
10y individuals from srch pursuits, there
10 not that weight OF evidence Of general
success ~ those pursuits which 70 was
reasonably expected might be found ia a
large state like Florida At this stage of
it's existence.
After a close investigation OF the sub
ject, Mr.. TAFT was Of opinion that in the
case OF q numerous and industrious colony
OF adequate means, where united action
could ne relied upon, no real difficulty
should be experienced 10 securing n con-
siderable income from fruit and vegetable
culture. He expressed himself "a en-
tlrely satisfied with the outlook for those
who settled down on their lands at sara
Sofa determined 70 give them fair trial.
he had established a email model farm
ON pine and prairie land near the town Of
sara Sofa. Half Of this farm was
composed Of virgin land, the
other half had previously been
broken in, and his object, In such a
combination, was 10 determine the point
whether or not q good crop OF vegetables
could be grown during the first season Of
cultivation. Mr.. TAFT believes he will
have good crop from tue virgin land dur
ing the present season. he intends %
cultivate an additional i've acres and SOW
In such aftlhciRl grasses and sOlling
crops a. he b,llevQs oan he successfully
grown in South Florida. II Mr.. TAFT is
successful Pc y ~ opWon that a very inn
RoN bNMA AnAhAhA " r@fFM 80 NAHAkEu ~ ilN~
proving thechFeed OF native cattle for
dairy and feeding purposes. Ten acres
OF artificial grasses or fodder crops
would easily maintain % head OF
cows all the year fbhBd. Twenty i've
Florida COWS could be selected Rt
$40 per head. These, placed In an euelo-
sure aud served BY a half grade Jersey
bull, would ihsure a herd OF good dairy
cows In two or three years, and the stock
might be gradually graded up BY the use
OF still better cbuiIssdntH u eQnaled the
best Northern stock The local supply Of
good milk aud butter IN Florida would be |
a highly profitable business. For the sup
ply OF beef shOrthorn bulls should be sub. |
sututed for Jersey. Florida beef IL supe- |
rlor 10 that OF the unimproved Southwest |
ern native animal. Il IL, however, very
defective IN fat. and that the use Of the /
shOrthorn bull would supply.
Dir. TAFT IL Of opinion that many indus |
tries now unknown there are possible on
the 3ulf coast.
With regard 70 certain reflections made
upon bis scheme by certain New York pa
Dors. Mr.. TAFT states that 30 far as the re-.