National Republican., 1886-04-03
THE COMING EXODUS.
The Advantages That Florida Holds
Out TO Immigrants.

Out 60 Immigrants.
EDITOR NATIONAL REPUBLICAN Your
advocacy Of the emigration Of the colored
people from southern states wherein their
rights are denied them meets with the
hearty approval and Endorsement OF every
thinking member Of the Republican'party'
UEquestionably, IL is the most available, II
not the only, solution Of the problem OF
the means by which the majority, defraud-
ed OF their rights by intimidation and sup
preston of the colored VOTE can regain the
government wrested from them by the
white minorities OF the south.
In your issue OF even date you mention
Florida as a desirable location for colony,
and owing to the manifold advantages OF
soil and climate II would certainly prove
veritable mecca to the colored emigrant.
take great pleasure In making few ex-
tracts from the report Of Judge j. G..
Knapp, United States state statistical agent
for western Florida, which may prove OF
more than ordinary interest. The lands
spoken OF comprise large tracts OF public
lands still undisposed OF, as well as many
thousand acres controlled by the Louisville
and Nashville, and Pensacola and Atlaatlc
Railroad Companies.
Judge Knapp commences his report by
stating that
Florida differs from oil other regions in cli-
mate ,foil, and productions. Its climate may
be felt; its soil seen and examined; its climate
and toils cause its productions, which may be
handled, sold, and enjoyed.
In Florida may be found locations suited to
e tastes ana desires Gl every 5eS
may desire to grow.
Fassing over the limo of the Pensacola and
Atlantic railroad, all will be struck with the
To all, and especially 20 the uneducated eye,
there Is too much sand for high degree OF
productivcness. To most II exhibits state near
lnrienness, and Will be SO pronounced. To the
educated aerloulturlst II shows high degree
of surface drainage and areation In the soil,
Two important points In economical agriculture
in the growth OF nll valuable plants.
These lande, in their. wild state, can be
chcaply purchased. and II to the purchase
money and cost Of labor and the applied miner
ais shall be added the value OF the Florida eli
mate, which permits constant groupings, each
acre Of this "barren, sandy" soil will be moro
valuable, because 1t Will producemore than the
richt st acre Of country farm land in any north
ern state, where but one crop can be grown In
aye0r On this two crops at the least can be
grown.
COST or CLEARING LAND.
All good, as well rs economical. farming
should be done on land from which all stumps
ana roots that can interfere with the move.
ments of the plow should be removed. The
ncrc, according to the growths upon the land
the lands upon which pines and black oaks
grow being cheapest and those covered with
oaks, hickories, and other deciduous trees nre
dearest.
CAPITAL NEEDED ny THE IMMIGRANT.
The industrious economical, though poor
man may immigTate here and accumulate
property; yet II is r better for the settler design
ing 10 engage in farming, here or elsewhere. to
he possessed of Sufficient means to purchase his
farm, TO build his dwelling and other build.
ings, TO clear his fields. and inclose them to
buy his team and small stock of cattle and
hlTnCnlT
family, and teams with food until he can raise
the means from the farm for his support.
THE PooR MANS PARADISE.
The cost of building with lumber is here 70.
| duccd to the lowest possible figures. The
| amount and cost OF clothing the expense for
fuel and of food for the family are at mint
mum rates. Cattle and sheep can gather their
| pastures. Something for the table may be OBJ.
| tained from the field and garden In less than
lC0 days after the seeds are placed in the soil.
HOW A FREE HOMESTEAD MAY De PROCURED
Entries under the presumption laws are re-
stricted TO heads of families or citizens over 81
| years of age, who may settle upon any quarter
section Tor 1G0 ncres), and have the right Of
prior claim to purchase, on complying with
| certain regulations.
| The homestead laws give the right TO 100
| acres Of the public lands TO any citizen or aD-
| plicant for citizenship over q years OF age who
| will actually settle upon the land and cultivate
1t. This privilege extends. only. to the sur.
| veyed lands and the title Is perfected by the
issue OF patent after FIVE years of actual set
tlement The fees and commissions for the
entry Of n homestead vary from 81 to s22, &c.
cording to the size and value of the tract and
| the place of record.
Under the timberculture acts of 1s7s-'7s any
settler who has cultivated for two years as
much as acres in trees is entitled to an 80.
acre homestead, or II 10 acres to homestead
oflG0 acres and n free patent Is given him at
the end OF three instead OF ut the end OF five
years.
The United States possesses 175OO 900 acres
ofpublic lands in the sonth, great portion
| lying In the states of Alabama and Florida.
| The public lands arc divided into two CLASSES,
sold respectively at Sl.25 and $3.50 per acre.
Titles to these lands may be acquired by pri-
pre.emption and timber culture laws. Such
tracts are sold on application to the land regis
ter, who Issues n certificate for purchase the
| receiver giving receipt for the money paid
subject to the issue of q patent or complete
titles. fthe proceedings are found regular by
the commissioner ofthe general land Office al
| Washington.
Taking into account the whole matter Of eli
mate and henlthfnlness. cheapness OF land
aud the facility with which 1t may be pre-,
pared for cultivation, the extent OF Its varied
| productions, and that some OF them are con
stnntly growing, the winter warmth and sum
mer brcezes, the pureness of the water for
drinking for man and beast, and the cheap
ness OF living, II seems wonderful that such q
boon should have been reserved for the pres
ent generation.
Add to these facts that while the new
settler is planting, tending, and waiting fol
his orchards Of pears and peaches, figs ant
olives, plums and apricots, almonds, pecans
European cbestnuts and walnuts to mature
and give him stores Of luxuries, he car
from the same land harveLt two and thre
crops Of grain, corn, potatoes and casava
strawberries and melons, with all th
products of the garden and truck farm, and
because Of their earliness find ready mar
ket at top prices in the cities of the north
thus making support for himself an'
family, while he fertilizes the land AM
trees that are to be his ultimate depend
ence. The means Of transportation are al
ready provided by rail superior to any othe
region. j. ENNINGs.
MARCH 81, 1886.