The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1892-02-13
LET US GO TO WORK.
THE FLORIDIAN'S EDITORIAL ADVICE
APPROVED BYA PRA C7TCAL AGRI-
CULTURIST
EVERY FARMER IN MIDDLE LJRiDA
SHOULD READ THIS ARlICLE-KEEP THE
QUESTION BEFORE THE PEoPLE-THEsE
COLUMNS ARE OPEN FOR ITS DISCUSSION.
TO the Editor OF the FLORIDIAN

TO the Editor OF the FLORIDIAN:
Your editorial of February 6,recomend-
l"g the formation of Middle Florida
Colonization Society, hit upon perfectly
feasible plan for a partial re ilization of
the results sought; but in the nature of
things it must occupy only a place of
secondary importance.
An o'd proverb has it, "That the Lord
helps those who help themselves, =" VIII ch
idea was expressed by the great Napoleon
by saying, That the Lord was upon the
side of those who have the h9aviest
artillery and it is quite likely that the
case in question will prove no exception.
Before such an association can be of much
.sting benefit present circumstances
must be largely changed. 1t must be
| loaded with facts, of kind q am con-
tining myself to the conditions of Leon
| county as known to me) that are at
present nOnexisteut, for the inspiration
of those being sought to settle among us.
Could such an agency show by vel
established facts that all, or many Of the
staple crops of the southern farms are
grown here as cheaply per unit OF meas
ure as elsewhere, where these same new
citizens are being sought; could they be
equally as well shown that all or many
Of the meat pro lucing domestic animals
are being raised and fatted for the
markets as cheaply per GENITAL as in those
o,hcr places seeking these emigrants?
Could they he shown as we'll that the
local retail market would supply tsteir
wants as cheaply as elsewhere? Could
they be equally we'll shown that the local
markets would absorb their surplus farm
produce at renumerative prices; or tina
transportation facilities are such that
they might be shipped to market that
would so absorb them? Could it also b 4
shown them that the agrculturists al
ready here are as wide-awake, as pro
gressive, and as prosperous as those of
the other countries where our emigrant is
wanted?
If | was called upon to truthfully
answer these queries my observation and
experience would force me to say no.
If the answer is substantially correct,
then We must make it no. SO; we must
ii st help ourselves, must provide oar
selves with "that heavy artillery" must
prove that all these gu 3ries are entitled
to an affirmative answer by practically
answering them upon our farms in an
affirmative manner. Until such condl
ton of things are consummated it would
seem, from the county's past ex-
perience, almost useless 10 eApect much
pc manent good 10 accrue to the county
from the efforts Of such d contcnpla ed
emigration scheme. No, we must depend
up N our own selves to inaugurate agri
cultural prosperity in this county.
This county is no terra incognita.
Many have come here in the past;
but most OF them are gone. Why?
Simply because of their inability to
answer those queries to their advantage,
which must be done by the agriculturists
already upon the ground. Then the
facts constituting such answer, becomes
available for use in inducing immigration,
which will be easy enough to secure when
our contemplated Colonization Society
can present large numbers of surly facts.
How are the farmers to answer those
queries as we would have them answered?
Do not depend upon unaided individual
effort. 1t is likely to fail in tho future,
as it has in the past. The first funda-
mental step in the direction we want to
go is the organization of ~ Agricultural
Association embracing all Middle Flori.
da, to be followed by q similar association
for each county in the jurisdiction of the
larger one, with permanent sections in
each association for the consideration of
the more special departments Of the farm.
Hero il the path that properly followed
leads out of the wilderness; but whore is
the Moses to organise and lead uss
Can you spare room in your columns
for . discussion Of this subject, and at
the same time create general interest of
depth enough to induce an active partici-
patton in it by the recognized best agricul-
turists Of the various counties of Middle
Florida? II. VIC.