Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-02-27

S"eelueSS VI uellCdCy Oh naNOr. Inc
severe freeze of last winter, from
which no portion ofthe country, even
of the Sunny South, escaped, de-
stroyed nearly every orange grove
in the State and reduced to poverty
many who had before been indepen-
dent, if not wealthy. This freeze
was an overwhelming misfortune to
the people of Florida, and yet there
are indications now which lead
many to believe that it may ulti-
mately prove blessing in disguise,
inasmuCh as it has taught the people
the folly Of relying too much on one
crop and is turning public 0ttention
TO the cultivation of other crops,
suited to the soil and climate, from
which it is believed large rev.
enues will, in few years, be real
lied. One Of these crops is tobacco
in the cultivation of which many
successful experiments have been
strated that the Cuban vanitics of
tobacco can be successfully and prof
itably grown in the State.-Thc or
ange trees are coming out again
beautifully.
The pineapple is also at home in
Southeastern Florida and is "A very
profitable crop. Great injury was
done to the plants by tho freeze Of
last winter but such is the recupera-
tive power Of the climate that, as we
can testify from actual observation,
one may now pass through miles of
pineapple plantations which will
bring forth rich fruitage in May
and June of this year.
The timber of the State consists
for the most part of pine, that is if
we are to speak from observation
made along the railroad lines over
which we travelled. Other woods
are said to be found in different parts
of the State, such as hickory, cedar,
maple, and magnolia and we saw,
in the southeast, the
palmetto in great abundance.
Sugar cane is easily grown and
Florida ranks we'll as sugar pro-
lucer. The climate enables the plan
.er to gather crops for several years
from the seed of one years. planting.
An extensive system OF drainage
low going on in the Southern part
Of the State will, it is said, open up
millions of acres to the successful
cultivation OF cane. Rice is also
grown but to what extent we do not
inOw.
The sea-island or long staple, black
seeded cotton is grown i'm large
Quantities and it is claimed that
Florida produces one-third of all of
his variety grown in the United
States and one-sixth of the worlds
supply.
Phosphate is found in large guam
titles. 1t lies near the surface and
s easily mined. Many have made
fortunes in recent years in speculat-
ng in these phosphate lands. The
mines are now worked on a large
scale, and Florida bids fair to rival
South Corolina in the production of
his valuable fertilizer.
Vegetables of all kinds are easily
grown and many tropical fruits,
such as dates, bananas, lemons, CO.
'oanuts, etc., are produced in large
Quantities. Gardening is already
paying industry and will grow in
and importance.
The climate Of Florida is unrivaled |
n salubrity and healthfulness. 1t is
neither hot nor cold, but just such a
as one might expect to find in
4 border land between two zones and
enjoying the breezes from two great
seas. We were in the State from the |
18th to the Both of January-mid-
during that time we did |
not see but one fire, never had our
overcoat on and never felt the need |
Of it, though others in our party did.
We bathed in the sea and often slept
with perfect comfort under one
blanket. We inquired of the peo-
pie if they did not suffer from tho
heat in summer. They declared
that they did not, and claimed that
the mercury rarely went higher in
Florida than in ATTITUDES far north of
it. This, they said, was due to the
fact that they got the sea breezes
from the Atlantic on the East and
from the Gulf Of Mexico on the
West, and thus the climate was never
oppressive.
In taking our leave of the Sunny
Land we desire to express our appre-
citation of the many courtesies shown
us by the railrod officials, particu-
larly by Col. b. w. Wrenn, Of the
Plant System, and shall always re-
member with grateful satisfaction
the splendid hospitality of the good
people of st. Augustine.
AT Jacksonville, on the night of
the Both, we bid adieu to our associ-
ates Of the Western Contingent
From that point they returned to
their homes, via Pensacola and Mo-
bile, whilst we Of the Eastern contin-