The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-05-20
Thomasville Timesl
What - the Fature Of the n.eCOnte
to he

The LeConte pear has potential value amaz-
ingly large il it is wisely handled. In a few
years tile yield will be great indeed, and its fu
ture as a wealth producer to our people and a
freight producer for railroads will be largely de
termined by those interested in its cultivation
along the s. F., F. & w. Railroad. One acre in
LeCOnte pears will produce as many pounds oil
freight two hundred acres in cotton. Count
ten bushels 10 the tree and fifty trees to the acre.
and at fifty pounds 10 the bushel, we have
twenty-five thousand pounds of freight. Now q
bale OF cotton to four acres will give us, ON Two
hundred acres, fifty bales. and this at five hun
dred pounds to the bale will yield TWENTY-FIVE
thousand pounds of freight. Evaporate the pear
and we get six pounds 10 the bushel, and in this
shape one acre is equal to tweniy-fOur acres in
cotton. This view of the question is important
t0 our people and should attract the thoughtful
attention OF the 8. r. & w. Ry. authorities. In
telligent (OrethOught is craftsmanship, no mat
ter whether the sphere in which it is exercised
be on large scale or a small one, and without
this the resources of country are of little value
The man who measures his own strength, and
with the aid of knowledge of his own ppwers,
intellgenty directs his efforts, is apt to prosper
and the same thing is true OF everything else,
government, railway management or voluntary
organization for agricultural, industrial or COM
mercial purposes. How best to preserve and
make permanent its value is the problem which
invites solution at the hands of those
now having the destiny Of this wonderful
fruit in their keeping. Will they solve it in
time or will they wait until 1t is too late
until the heavy burtlened trees shall
become an emphasized reproach to growers for
lack of intelligent foresight. II this fruit is in.
discriminatory plucked and shipped, markets
overstocked, and the cupidity OF fruit dealers
allowed to run it down in the markets. its story
will he q short one. On the other hand, If
proper organization be effected among pear
growers, ii can be made fixed and permanent
source of revenue. Perhaps the wlsest thing
for them TO do would be to organize, as the or
ange growers Of Florida have done, LIE Conte
Pear Association. BY doing this the CROP in
advance of its gathering, can be determined,
dealers can be induced to come and buy on
the trees or fix orlers and dates of shipment
and places OF destination. As an essen
tial part OF this protective organization,
evaporating and canning establishments should
be started at convenient points for the purpose
of putting in condition for indefinite keeping the
industry ever pershes the disease that will cause
its death will be "surplus." Evaporate or can
the fruit and it is no longer perishable, and the
whole world will be q market for it. Unless the
surplus over and above that part Of the crop
which is eaten from the hand 10 provided tor, the
pear will not long command any value. 1t this
surplus is prevented from destroying lis value by
proper handling and preservation, our people and
our railroads are destined 10 draw rich dividends
from this marvellous fruit But elaboration il
unnecessary. Those OF our people interested in
this fruit are intelligent and though tful and the
only purpose Of this article 10 70 call their aiten
ton 10 the necessity Of organization, and thai
without delay. LEC0NTR.