Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1896-04-11
eloMoA's cocoANvr GROVES,
A New industry Spreading in the Land o
Of Flowers.

Residents on Biscayne Bay realize more
fully every year the immense value OF the
cocoanut tree. not only ss an ornament.
but as being Of practical value as well,
Consequently numbers Of trees have been
planted within the last year all along the
bay front, from Lemon City TO south OF
Cocosnut Grove. which place takes its
name from the suggestive growth that
beau,ifes its water front. The trees at
Miami, along the river mouth and bay
shore. are said 10 be the oldest in the
Stale. and are by far the handsomest,
their slender, worn boles and feathery
tops showing to advantage above and
among smaller. less distinctive growth.
On most of the new places along the
shores these trees have been planted, and
in few years will greatly augment the
beauty Of this part Of Florida.
Hundreds Of acres Of land suitable for
cocoanut culture are to be found In South
Dade County, contiguous 10 Biscayne,
owned by the canal company, the rail.
road. the Boston Land Company, or by
individuals. In addition to these 10 the
great Perrine grant Of IS, 900 acres, now
being taken up BY sq,atters, who will
soon have chance to make homestead
entry Of their claims. Cocoanut planta-
lions started now would within the next
six years begin to pay handsomely. re.
quirin9 less time than oranges, but little
more than lemons, pineapples or bananas.
While they are growing anil coming into
bearing. the owner can temporarily
operate small truck farm, or else con.
duct business In town, or fish plant at
come convenient point, In the certainty
that within a specified length Of time he
will have an ample income from his
cocoanuts, which he can either manu-.
facturc into oil on his own plant or else
chip the nuts In bulk to the butter, oil,
cream, candle or soap manufacturers.
The industry IL so Tar very small, but
from Lake Worth down the entire coast,
including the keys, ample opportunity
may be found for successful experiment.
The age limit Of cocoanut has never
been discovered.
They have been known to bear for 200
years. In this climate. where they have
never been hurt by cold. where every.
thing Is conducive to growth and bearing
and where choice lands are to be had al
reasonable rates, the industry should
thrive and pay. In addition to the citrus
fruits, pineapples, guavas, truck and
sponges, the Biscayne Bay region may
yet become the great cocoanut.producinl
centre Of the world, wrestling from Ceylot
Its long time championship.
The cocoanut tree, with Its nuts
'cloth" fibre, leaves and vegetable oil, Is
claimed by many as the ''most useful tree
to man." and an enumeration Of Its useful
products almost srbstantiates the claim.
The fibre Is manufactured into mating,
ropes or cloth, and the hull OF tue nut Is
made into cellulosc. A peculiar "cloth,"
or husk. grows around the trunk OF the
young tree, somewhat resembling burlaps,
Of which useful and ornamental articles
are made-nats and fancy toilet and
travelling articles. that are painted or com.
bined with ribbons, silks and laces. The
fresh nut Is used In bread and cakes In
stead Of lard aud butter, the same quan.
tity Of grated nut being used as Of these
Ingredients, and cocOanut butter as I'D
article OF commerce Is already well knowr
used for the same purposes rs glycerine
An edible OF the same name Is also pre-
pared. A finer chicken food can hardly
b. found. The nuts. old or young, art
cut open, and the chicks feed from them
The long leaves make good fuel, and leave
. valuable ash. The husks. or shells
make q hotter fire than oak OF hickory,
and the bud OF the tree equals that OF th'
cabbage palm, . good substitute fol
cabbage. The cloth Il also used To-
mattresses.