The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1891-05-22

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was believed the average profit was
greater than for years. While this re
suit was partly from the m Oderate
size of the crop, it was also largely
owing to Improvements in the whole
system of marketing-quickening transit
and by an organized plan of intelli-
regulating distribution over the country
avoiding gluts, while keeping all points
duly supplied. The. same system In
surcd better grading, packing, ETC., and
made it. the growers own fault if he
sent his fruitlto irresponsible parties
who did not dispose Of it to the best
advantage and make Just. returns. This
last particular was the crying evil in the
orange business of past years. The i'm
provements spoken of are of course
permanent and likely to be extended, sc
that it may be safely said the prospect:
for orange growing with profit are de
cidedly better than they have been
heretofore.
In the meantime the range of pro
ducts in the state has been constantly
widening; and, especially since the
phosphate discoveries, the orange is not
the prepOnderating figure it once was
This is all in the way of improvement
for diversity Of proIucts.is the secret Of
success. The climate is so wonderfully
adapted to the raising of Iearly garden
products for the northern markets that
this industry has rapidly extended
helped by the building of new railroads,
which, while opening fresh tracts for
settlement, have quickened and multi
piled the facilities for shipment. The
raising of miscellaneous fruits aud vege-
tables TO supply the north must needs
be great and growing industry, popu-
lation and consumption increase, for no
circumstance can rob Florida of her adj
vantage of early seasons or multiply her
competitors.
The great phosphate discoveries, in
tracts covering large part of the state,
must have an immense influence on
Florida's future. While Immediately
enhancing the value Of the land where
found, and supporting large industries
and trade IN the PREF aration and ship
ment of the product, the phosphate it.
self Is the very material needed by the
farmer to add to the fertility of his soil
and enable him to increase and extend
his crops. The impetus thus given 10
farming, aside from all considerations of
exporting the article, ought to be very
great. The many accounts received, not
only of the formation of phosphate COM
panies, but of manufacturing operations
and shipments, prove that Florida is al
ready deriving substantial benefit from
the discovery, which is still new, while
the indrusties connected with it are only
at their beginning.
Florida is fine agricultural country,
capable of producing in rare abundance
and excellence the class OF products
adapted to lis latitude, climate and soil.
Any attempt to force upon it the staples
and methods of northern farming would,
OF course be a failure; but with due
study of its special capacity, it can be
made to yield immense returns. There
is no doubt that tobacco, sugar and cot
ton could be made great staples and
their manufacture great industry in
Florida. The fact referred to, that in
ante-bPlium times the then cultivated
portion of the state afforded comforta-
bic subsistence TO its limited population,
proves Florida's sustaining power for
millions of settlers who know how to
put its soil to good account. Its i'm.
mense forests, largely unused, will here.
after be great source of wealth, not in
the mere export of lumber in its pri.
mary forms, but in the manufacture oil
an infinite variety of articles. OF all
the material for those smaller miscella-
Eeous industries which conduCe so
greatly to general thrift, timber comes
first, and Florida has an almost infinite
variety, reaching up TO the finer kinds,
a 49, ii'sr emit ahlsuess for deeora
tive purposes has only lately been APP
precisted. Without the prospect of the
great industries dependent on the pres
enee of coal or iron, Florida has abun-
dance of material of special kind-its
fruits and vegetables suggest large can
ming establishments, and its fisheaies ay
become great interest. Florida has
one advantage which, while in no sense
TO be considered malnstay, brings each
year a large sum of money into the
state-that is its climate. Year by year,
with the increase of population and tn e
extension of railroad facilities, the
travel to Florida must increase, and of
late it has been increased by a prodi-
gious outlay in the erection of hotels
that are veritable wonders of the world.
As the gulf ports, especially Tampa, are
so convenient for trade with the coun-
tries south, and as this trade win un
assume large volume in future
years, Florida's commercial Importance
is bound to increase; this will also make
for the prosperity of the state.
Altogether, the situation of Florida is
hopeful. The state has many and great
that in the hands of enter.
prise and industry will insure its pros
perity and importance.