The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1893-04-12


every year, it is q fact, perhaps not gen
orally recognized, but nevertheless true.
tnaI FLORIDA enjoys such great diver
slty OF climate, soil and production. that
total failure has never yet occurred,
ana IN all probability never will; to this
extent we are blessed beyond the people
Oh an y other country under the sun, for
no other country has physical conform
alton so peculiarly it's own, of such vast
capabilities, OF such great diversity of
SOIL and production, and the grandest
climate mankind has ever known.
The cotton crop of last year was very
much below that OF 1891. @ reduction
which extends throughout the entire cot
ton producing States, and which had the
effect OF increasing the price of that staple
about OO per cent. over the price obtain
ed for it in 1891. Following up this
principle, further reduction would seem
TO DE desirable, II not necessary, to great
er success and profit. 1t may not be
that the difference in receipts was made
up by the difference in price, but the dis
crepancy has in reality been more than
replaced by the productions of the neces-
stiles Of life, and other crops than are far
more remunerative and better adapted
to successful cultivation in the several
portions OF the State. The yields OF corn,
potatoes, hogs, sheep and live stock gen
orally have been largely increased; tC-
baccO OF tine Cuban varieties has been, to
q great extent, substituted as O. money
crop for cotton. Certainly these crops so
much increased, more than make up the
loss OF the surplus cotton, for the increase
IN the value OF the crops for the last year
over the previous year is nearly three
million dollars.
The tobacco raised in the counties Of
Gadsden, Leon, Jefferson and Holmes,
has been pronounced, by experts and
manufacturers of handmade cigars. as
being almost equal to the best Cuba to-
bacco for cigar wrappers, which class of
tobacco is worth more and is in greater
demand than any other, and owing to
this fact the growing OF Cuba tobacco
will, in short time, be one of the most
valuable crops in the State.
The condition of the fruit crops of all
parts Of the State has been generally
good, having had no cold weather to do
material damage, while the increased
yield has met with ready sale at remuner-
ative prices. The orange crop has on the
whole brought good returns; while the.
pineapple has exceeded the most sanguine.
expectations, both as to size of crop and
ICtP Tic value vi UuO cfOI.
two years ago was only $147, 900 and in
enc year Increased to over 100000.
The orange crop exceeds in value any
other crop in the State. The planting OF
fruit orchards suitable to the middle and
western parts OF the State has pre-
crossed rapidly, and many OF them are
yielding the growers profitable returns
on the investment.
1t has been said there is great depres-
sion in agricultural affairs perhaps this
is to some extent true, but undoubtedly
the matter has been greatly exaggerated.
Ii there is a depression, it is caused
mainly by the one crop idea, for is it rea.
sonable to expect that where the whole
farming element OF q country is directed
towards the production of one particular
crop that increased prices will prevail?
The very opposite is apt to be the result,
and the losses will fall invariably upon
the farmer, the one who can least afford
it.
We see that in diversity of cropproduc-
ton alone there is wealth to the farmer,
and having land OF inexhaustible re-
sources, let us strive then by increasing
our knowledge of the science OF agficul-
ture to add to the material greatness Of
our State, till she stands at the very head
OF all that goes to make upevery element,
OF prosperity and happiness.
The governor shows that the expenses
OF the State government exceed The re-
ceipts by over fifty thousand dollars an