davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-02-19
BY w. W. JAMES, THE "RAMBLER."


ton Disston, then, as now engaged in the
colossal task of draining the Florida
Everglades, had his attention drawn TO
the probability of making the manufac-
ture OF sugar in this State signal sue
cess, on the basis of the self-evident prop
osition that it is much cheaper to con-
vert raw material into forms ofutility at
the source of supply than away from it.
This admits of no reasonable denial.
The matter having been duly consid-
cred stock company was formed to put
the project into execution, the site def
nitely chosen, and not quite two years
ago ground was broken for the great SUI
garrefnery, the fame Ofwhich to-day has
spread over the world.
LOCATION.
The spot selected was in the midst of a
large tract of land, then covered with
water, some three or four feet deep, un-
der which was some of the finest alluvial
soil in the world; but, in order to utilize
it the drainage of vast area of land was
necessary. The exact location of this
land may be defined as follows: By go
ing directly south from the town of kis-
simmee, Osceola county, is the celebrated
Lake Tohopekaliga, twenty-five miles
long by an average of seven miles wide;
due east of this is East Tohopekaliga
lake-a name abbreviated simply into
Cast Lake"-an eXpanse of water TWEEN
ty-five miles in circuit, and, opposite to
the canal about to be described six miles
across. Between these two lakes, three
and half miles apart, and six miles
south of Kissimmee is the center of the
now famous industry. AS the latter
lake had a fall of some seven feet into
the former, it is easy to perceive how the
intermediate plateau or table-land thus
submerged might be drained and con-
verified into dry prairie.
A canal three and half miles long,
thirty five feet wide and seventeen feet deep
was dug, and the soil so long under three
or four feet of water and saW-grass by
at least four feet, making a permanent
change in the water level of East Lake
of fully seven feet, some placing it at
twelve, thus retaining from eight to
nine thousand acres of land. On the
southern bank Of this main canal, two
and a half miles from the larger and
one mile from the smallar lake, the
massive sugar mill stands-an impress
sive monument to the energy of it's
builders Beyond this and seven miles
farther south is Narcoosee, then Eng
lish colony Here is thepresent terminus
of the Sugar Belt Railway, which runs
nearly a mile west of the refinery, and
from that point is reached readily, by a
tramway. 1t may be added here, as an
explanatory remark, that Lake TohOpe-
kaliga, the greater, is the head of steam
boat navigation on the Kiss1mmee river,
which in turn, finds it's way into Lake
OkeechObee-the mysterious inland sea
of South Florida, that, through the Ca
loosahatchee wends it's course into the
Gulf of Mexico.
THE BUILDINGS.
Joined one with another, or rather ag-
gregated with the main building, are the
ensuing divisions, to-wit: The main
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-02-19

now, let us glance at the surroundings.
LAND AND CANE.
The company owns 1920 acres, of
which $50 is under cultivation-5OO of it
in cane and $50 in corn, peas, etc. The
soil is a rich vegetable mould or ''muck"
varying from three to six feet deep, but
some of it twelve and fifteen feet-the for
mer depth of three feet being amply SUI
icient to make, from year to year, with
| out fertilization the best quality of cane
that can be grown in the United States.
| The most of this soil is pure muck-grow-
| ing more productive season after season,
while the balance is, approximately, muck
nine tenths and one tenth sand. No
less than 10000 acres of this rich loan
now drained sufficiently for cultivation
centres around ST. Cloud and the day is
coming when the Kissimmee river will be
| the Nile of North America.
A GENERAL VIEW.
The village of st. Cloud is as yet, quite
small butcontains about thirty dwellings,,
UWO SCIlCl cIl lllCl I'll CLuulCC cUOICS, HCllOOl3
church, telephone and post office, board
ing house, drug store and one solitary
M. d., but no barber
Looking over this vast prairie of cane,
vegetables and virgin SOIL creates in the
mind the singular impression made by
the great Western plains near the Rocky
mountains-the ''bigness'' of the thing
seems to dwarf everything else-even the
four STORED heights of the the huge main
| building OF the sugar refinery; but there
is still enough of cold water around to
| please the most rabid prohibitionist.
In the foregoing descrip tiOn of the re-
claimed lands we neglected to mention
that into the chief canal, and mostly par
allel to it, though with lateral arms, deep
bitches run, at intervals ranging from
three to eight feet wide at the top to
foot at the bottom. The distribution of
these averages about two to the acre.
The varieties of cane chiefly grown are
the "purple cane," and the cred ribbon
cane" Planting in order to effect the
best results, should commence early in
December, and can becontinued until the
middle of February. In this instance the
| grinding season commenced December 5,
1889
THE CANE PRODUCT
Has averaged, so far, this season, TWEEN
ty-nine tons OF cane to the acre, and the
extraction of juice has ranged from 78 to
so per- cent. of the raw material. In 9th
er terms, 173 pounds of dry sugar is OBJ
tanned from each ton of cane, or an ap-
proXimate yield of 5000 pounds of dry
sugar to the acre! How does that strike
you? Florida may not be land over
flowing with milk and honey but it is
bound to be region running over with
sugar and grapes.
The usual product of cane to the acre
ranges from 25 to 80 tons and as to price
from $3.50 to $3.50 per ton, according
to quality. The cost OF production, as
| having reference to work executed by
hired help, is reckoned at 81 25 per ton
this includes everything wing from
$3 to 81 clear on every ton of cane. and
much more if the work is done without
the assistance of hired help-this refers
to the operations of farmers outside of
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-15

most unskilled cultivators in tracts of Is
acres each, the process was begun of turn
ing it into most productive garden spot
This carries with it the perception of the
other point, that the depression of Eastern
farming can be most thoroughly cured by,
securing that close and thorough cultiva-
tion, most surely attained by dividing up
the land among small culsivators. When
q family must support itself on 10 acres of
ground it will not try to do so by raising
wheat and corn in competition with the
Western prairles, as too many Pennsylvania
farmers are doing now. 1t will try to get
the full productive value out of the land by
turning it in gardens and orchards. Under
such system the farm of 100 acres now re-
quired to sustain family may sustain half
a-dozen in almost equal comfort
The deduction is evident that the effort
should be in the direction of dividing up
lands instead of permitting the concentra-
tion of large landed estates. 1t is worth
while to note also that for the settlement of
such small farms, even assisted immigrants
may make the largest addition to the wealth
OF the country, provided it brings with it
the qualities of industry and frugality.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-15
NOT SO IGNoRANT, PERHAPs.

The statement of the Republican organs
that the people of New Mexico had rejected
a Constitution providing for free public
schools, may have had some foundation in
fact; but, according to allegations which come
from that distant Territory, the free school
provision was not the only thing that was
rejected. 1t is stated that the Constitution
was framed so as to lodge all power in the
Legislature. The Governor and Lieutenant
Governor were made subject to suspension
before trial IN cases Of impeachment, and a
bare majority OF quorum is sufficient for
their removal. The Legislature was given
the appointment of Supreme Court Judges
and the revenue provisions of the Constitu-
tIo7 were shaped in the interest of the cor
porations. A New Mexico paper asserts
that they would make it necessary to raise
money mainly by taxation on ARTICLES and
occupations"
This statement is quite important in view
of the assertions that the people Of New
Mexico are lacking in the intelligence re-
ouired for statehood. 1t seems to be quite
possible that they developed the intelligence
required to reject Constitution which was
drawn up in the interest of corporations and
political manipulators. The Constitution
having been rejected by the people, and the
Territory rejected by Congress, that matter
seems to be pretty well buried for the present
But it would be interesting to learn what
influence presided over the framing of that
remarkable document
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-15
AN INSTRUCTIVE SETTLEMENT

A statement is made in a recent issue of
the Philadelphia Ledger, of the results of
an experiment begun eight years ago, which
contains great deal of instruction and in
formation on matters of national interest
The experiment is that made by colony of
Russian Hebrews near Vineland, n. j., and
it at once illustrates the value of small
ownership in land, suggests the remedy for
the depression of agriculture in the Eastern
States, and disproves the oft-heard state
ments that the Hebrews will not become
owners and cultIvators of the soil.
In 1882 the Hebrew relief committees of
London, Paris and New York purchased
tract of wild land near Vineland /, 100 acres
in extent. On this land two hundred
families of Russian Hebrews, driven out
by prosecutions from their native land have
been located, the land being sold to them
in Is acre tracts with small houses
costing about $3.50 each. The land
had to be cleared, the settlers were
unused to farming, and were even unable to
communicate with the people around them.
Everything that would seem to foreordain the
experiment to failure was present; but ex-
actly the opposite result has been accom-
plished. After the lapse of eight years the
wild and uncultivated tract has been con-
verted into section filled with well-tilled
fields, orchards and vineyards; the little
shanties have been replaced by improved
buildings, and the coionists who were al
most penniless at the start have not only
paid for the land sold to them at first on
credit, but have in many cases bought addi-
tional land from the neighboring farmers.
OF course these results are largely to be
credited to the industry and trugality Of the
colonists, and in that connection they re-
fute the old idea that the race traditions of
the Hebrews prevent them from becoming
holders and cultivators of the land. But
apart from that it demonstrates some i'm
portant points. First among them is the
fact that the industry and frugality of the
poorest people is given the best opportun-
ity by permitting them to become small
land holders, and that the greatest prosper
ity is secured by the subdivision of territory
among the greatest possible number of culti-
vators. When this land was in single tract of
LOO acres it lay barren and useless. When
1t was divided up among the poorest and
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-15
TERMS OF THE DISPATCH.
PITTsBURG. WEDNESDAY. OCT. Is, 1890.


The message of Governor Campbell to the
Ohio Legislature puts that official on a
platform which be can we'll afford to main
tain, although the position of the Legisla-
ture in the matter is not quite so comfort
able. The Governor points out that not
withstanding the pledges OF the Democratic
platform, the Legislature last winter failed
to place the election of the governing boards,
or commissions, of Cincinnati IN the hands
of the people of that city; that this failure
has resulted in corruption; and that it is the
duty of the Legislature, for which it is
called together, to vest the election of the
boards in the hands of the voters of the city
at the coming November election.
The position that the people of a city
should be left to choose their own rulers is
strong one, and it is given additional
strength by the circumstances which have
led the Governor to call an extra session of
the Legislature. If the people of city are
careless or weak enough to elect dishonest
city government they must bear the burden
of the dishonesty They invite it. Ii
their own interest will incite them
to demand honesty and integ
rity in the management of their bust
ness they are entitled to the power to en-
force their demand. The right of self gov
ernment was taken away from Cincinnati
on the plea that it produced corruption; but
when the result of government BY appointed
boards is shown to have resulted in the
most unblushing dishonesty, the last vestige
OF the argument against trusting cities with
the election of their own officers is swept
away.
Governor Campbell's frank and outspoken
declaration that the right to govern its own
affairs must be returned to the city of Cin-
cinnati will command the approval of fair
minded people generally. But his course is
likely to have wider effect than the merely
local one, The political leader who has the
boldness and independence to expose and
prevent corruption in his OWL party, will
astraet the support and applause of all inde-
pendent minds.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-15
Social Chatter.

A CHARMING home wedding last evening al
the residence of Mrs. Thos. Irwin, 1s9 Juniata
street, Allegheny. united Miss Gertrude Jenk.
ins, a talented young lady of Allegheny. and a
sister of Mrs. Irwin, to Mr. Otto Zeckles. OF
Cleveland, o. The ceremony was witnessed by
a few friends and relatives. who extended con-
gratulations to Mr.. and Mrs. Zeckles before
they departed for their future home in Cleye.
land.
AT o'clock last evening the words were
spoken that made Miss Name Imhoff the bride
of Mr., Frank Livingston, of SewickIey The
wedding occurred at the residence of the
brides brother Mr.. Edward W. .Imhoff, on Car
yer street., East End, and, though rather pri-
yate was a very pretty affair.
THE second of the series of lectures and
recitals giveS by Mr.. Ethelbert Nevin at the
residence of Mrs. Walter McClintock, of Ridge
avenue, yesterday afternoon, was very enjoy
able and thoroughly appreciated by the cultured
assemblage that listened to the talented
Bostonian.
THE Cochrane. Richie wedding this evening.
MISS ELLA McCoMB, of Hazelwood, will be
married to-day to Mr.. Seward H. Augustine, at
the residence of herparents, Hazelwood.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-15
OUR PLACE IN THE CENSUS.

An official list of the 35 cities of the
United States having over $4,000 inhab-
itauts shows Pittsburg to be the thirteenth
in point of population, but the twelfth in
the increase during the past ten years;
while Allegheny is the twenty-eighth in
population and twenty-third in growth.
There is some reason to believe that if
Pittsburg had been given her full popula-
tion she would have had the tenth place in
population, exceeding Cleveland, Buffalo
and New Orleans, which are ahead Of her
by the list as it now stands. Accepting the
census figures, however, the fact remains,
that if Pittsburg and Allegheny had been
one municipality, the population would
have been 343, ,440, and would have stood
above San Francisco and Cincinnati in ad-
dition to the other cities already named.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-15
ELECTED NEW OFFICERS.
An Interesting Meeting of the Microscop-
ical Society Last Evening.

An Interesting Meeting of the Microscop-
ical Society Last Evening.
The Iron City Microscop1cal Society held its
first meeting in its new quarters in the Acad-
emy OF Science building last night. 1t was the
regular election night. and the membership of
the society was well represented. Dr. Holland
presided, ano after some routine business had
been transacted conducted the election for
officers. The following gentlemen were chosen
for the various offices: President, George II.
Clapp; First Vice President, Prof. G. Gutten-
berg; Second Vice President, Colonel T. P.
Roberts; Recording Secretary, DR.. H. DePuy;
Corresponding Secretary, j. F. Henrici; Treas
urer, G. G. Miner; Curator, II. Walker.
DR.. Holland, upon retiring from the
chair, made few appropriate re-
marks relative to the welfare of
the society and asked the members to make an
effort to have many original papers read before
the society, and to have these papers published
in the proceedings of the society. Buffalo,
with half the inhabitants of Pittsburg, has a
much more widely known microscopical
tific value. A number of the other members
expressed themselves to the same effect.
Mr.. Z. g. Mellor gave very interesting talk
on camera sucidas, and explained their
structure and use, illustrating his talk with a
number of drawings made by DR.. Gage, Of
tary and treasurer were read and gave indica-
tion that the society is in good condition both
as regards numbers and financially, The mem
bership is close to 100, and a comfortable bal
ance is on hand in the treasury.
The rest of the evening was spent in examin-
ing various microscopicai specimens. books,
and in inspecting the new and commodious
quarters.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-15
As TO A NEW PARTY.

Mr.. Powderly has taken sensible stand
in regard to the creation of a new party by
which the knights of Labor as an organiza-
tion may obtain political recognition. He
does not wish for a new party, and does not
believe that labor would be essentially
served by its formation. By the full ex-
ercise of their political powers as individuals
or as members Of the great parties already
in existence the knights of Labor have the
same chance as any other citizens of this
Republic to hew out their destiny. knights
of Labor, and all citizens in fact, can
get what they want from Democrats or Re-
publicans by enforcing their demand at the
polls. The sportsman who prefers to set
about making fowling piece to suit his
own particular fancy does not bag as many
birds as the fellow who fires with the best
weapon at hand. Mr.. Powderly thinks
that the Knights ought to use one of the
guns already in the field, but he has asked
them to express their views on this subject.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-15
A DOUBLE CELEBRATION.

Wedding and Silver Wedding at One Time
Other Somewhat Similar Affairs-A Do
nation Reception, and Other Social AZ
fairs, Past and to Come.
A wedding and a silver wedding were cele-
brated last evening at the handsome new home
of A. P. Burchfeld, Negley avenue, East End,
and to witness the ceremonies and enjoy the
gaiety assembled large number of fashionable
people from all parts of the city. The bride
was the pretty daughter of the home, Miss
Henrietta Burchfield, and the groom was Mr..
George Craig, we'll known in business circles
and equally well known in the social circles of
the city.
The all-important words that united the two
young people we're spoken at o'clock by Rev.
DR.. Mcmillan, and until $50 o'clock Mr.. and
Mrs. Craig monopolized the attentions and
Mr.. and Mrs. Burchfield, the parents OF the
bride, became equal sharers in the attentions in
honor of their twenty-tifth wedding anni-
versary. which they celebrated with reeep, s9p
Emma.
The newly-made bride was attired in a be-
witching creation of white faille with elaborate
trimmings of duchesse lace and with the long
veIl white gloves, and white roses was charm
ing picture The bride of % years standing
was attired in a silver gray faille with appro-
pirate silver ornaments fashioned to display to
advantage her admirably rounded and per-
tectly proportioned figure. The attendants for
the real wedding we're Miss Emma Burchheld,
who performed double duty, attending both
her sister and assisting her mother, and who
was gowned in Nile green India silk, and tiny
Misses Marv P. Burchfeld and Florence Brace.
who, with Kate Greenaway costumes, garnished
with lace, and baskets of anemones, were suit
able flower maidens for the youthful bride.
The ushers were Mr.. Pressly t. Craig: a
brother of the groom, and Mr.. Albert ID.
Burchfield brother of the bride. Gernert's
Orchestra lent the charms of its sweetest music
to the duo wedding, and Messrs. John b. d A.
Murdoch had previously done most effective
work in the way of decorations. by the lavish
use of hot house flowers and rare tropical
plants. Caterer Kuhn served the refresh
ments.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-15
MIR. CORES LETTER.

The letter which Rev. j. Franklin Core,
of this city, has sent to the Chairman of the
Republican County Committee is a docu-
ment that speaks for itself. Whoever
reads the letter in our news columns to-day
will see that the reverend gentleman s
words need no explanation. 1t is a very
positive, uncompromising declaration of
faith, and there must be some very deep
seated cause for complaint when a man
warlike words. If appeals in Mr.. Della
matters behalf bring forth such answers as
Mr.. Cores Mr.. Pattison's prayers
doubtless will be for the continuance of the
Republican propaganda.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-15
BREAKFAST TABLE SMILES,

Tommy Judkins-Papa, what do they
mean by selling race? Is anything actually sodf
| Judkins-Yes, my son, and 1t is usually the pub
| lie Week's Sport.
"Did you recognize your wife at the mas
| Querade last night9''
.sNot until patted her shoulder, and she whis-
| pered to me: Temuel, don't make fool OF your
| self you old donkey ''-Chiedgo Post.
Mr.. Bingo (suspiciously) who
| were those two boys 1 saw fighting in the next
| alley this morning.
Tommy-One of them was Willie Slimson.
| Mr.. Bingo-And who was the other?
Tommy-He got licked. guess you don't want
| to know his name.-Nelo York Sun.
'In the scheme of creation" said the
religious crank, ''woman was an afterthoughtr
| ..Yeth, - remarked the lisplng imbecile ''and
tshe's been thought after ever thinth. ~ Bing-
| hamto1 Leader.
Lariat Luke-Come, boys, this man ad-
mits that he took the horse. Quick, where Is the
| hemp?
The Man-But plead extenuating circun-
stances. A widow from Kansas City at my station
wanted me to marry her.
Lariat Luke-Then why didn't you say so be-
fore. instead of raising all this fuss.-Eeto York
| Sun.
Judge This verdict could not have
| been reached on law and evidence
Foreman of Jury-No, sir; we just used COM
1 mon sense.
Judge (promptly)-overruled and set asids.-
| Chicago Times.
"Isn't Jones a Christian Scientist "A
| believer in the faith eure?'i
'He isn
SIS 1t true that he wouldn't have doctor for
his wife the other day when she was sick?''
'It is quite true.''
''Well. saw a doctor 20 into the house Just
now.'i
''ohi that's all right He's sick now hlmself''
Cape Cod Item.
First Criminal-Hello, Jiml How did
you get out of jail?
Second Criminal-I fled bar and let myself
out Of a window.
First Criminal-But how about your striped
clothes?
Second Criminal-Oh, that was all right. The
jail Isn't far from bathing resort and soon as
got down to the beach l was all right. They
took my convict rig for bathing suit.-chfeago
America.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-15
POOR OLD IRELAND,

Land of green grasses, damp bogs and morasses
Where Liberty lies all enfettered in chains,
Land of brave boys and ruddy checked lasses,
Columbia notes all thy sorrows and pains.
A wall from old Ireland, comes over the mire-
land,
Comes over the ocean SO boundless and free,
To her sons who have left the old sod and ehe SIRE
land,
The prayer of the hungry tcyou and to me.
While landlords are scheming and bailifs are
plotting.
Evicting the mothers and fathers so gray
Potatoes are rotting, happiness blotting,
The food of the nation is going to decay,
Shall father or mother. or sister or brother,
60 hungry to bed In their cabins so cold
While we as a nation are blessed as none other
While food can be purchased for silver and
gold?
Let us up and be doing; the green isle Of beauty,
The gem OF the ocean from over the maip
Looks to us once more - 'tis the roll call of
duty,
We've helped her before and we,ll help her
again. JOHN W. MOODY.
NoS0xGAzzLA Czzx. octObsx II