The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1897-04-16

The compliment, Mr.. President and gentlemen of
the convention, of presiding your preliminary de-
hberatons. has been conferred upon practically
without notice, but this no doubt will prove to vour
advantage il has prevented any attempt to prepare
myself for any endeavor to inform this body about an
industry concerning which am myself seeking to be
instructed
MY selection ON this occasion may possibly be ex-
planned by the fact that have for years tried to pro-
mote the cultivation of tobacco in Florida and the
only speeches | attempted of an agricultural
character upon the topic of Cuban cigar tobacco
and its cultivation Impressed by something | had
observed and 10y many other things that had heard
was convinced many years ago that Cuban cigar to-
bacco could be grown in Florida. Away back in 1885,
twelve years ago. imported Cuban seed, and distri.
bnted It free To 100 Florida farmers and for
pany of which vice-presdent l offered re-
ward Of $500 for the best 300 pounds of Cuban leaf
grown in Western Florida The year following
again distributed seed. and offered for smaller lots
premiums aggregating $500
THE results of both years fully demonstrated that
satisfactory tobacco could be grown but for general
crop confronted by great difficulties growing
out Of want of knowledge concerning the proper
curing of the crop after it made. | seed to
Prof +. b. Noodle of Lake City. who should be re-
garded as the pioneer individual tobacco grower of
Florida. Prof. Noodle reported excellent results,
showing that tobacco could be grown in this section
well as in the West Again, in 1894, | distributed
seed and offered for the company represented, forty
of land in each county, for the best specimens
and forty for the best of the best enlisted the
assistance of Prof. Noodle who addressed meetings
in each county and supplemented our published in
structons with verbal explanations. These premiums
awarded at a tobacco fair in Pensacola, and
before and since has that city witnessed
such a gathering within her limits. Excellent tobacco
was exhibited but for general purposes we were again
met 10y the difficulty growing out of want of inforna-
ton about curing the crop.
President Duva of the Florida Central and PENN
sular Railroad displayed good judgment and great
terprse by employing experts to instruct the farmers
his line, and the splendid results known to all;
but YOU may not be aware that s500000 has been
paid the tobacco growers of Gadsen county for the
crop Of 1896
Before this convention shall adjourn you will be
informed of the success in many South Florida
ties placing the growing of Cuban tobacco in Florida
beyond the field of experiment. The interesting facts
concerning tobacco in other states will be presented to
you during the session of this convention by gentle
amply able to inform and entertain you.
am aware that the experiment have related is
mere local experience and appreciate that this gath
ering is national body assembled to consider the to-
bacco industry in its broadcast scope Yet have not
hestated to mention the facts, because must all
know that every feature of the tobacco industry is
based upon the proper curing after crop has been
planted and cultivated, and the difficulties have
mentioned should be considered during your delibera-
tons.
Il have also attempted to emphasize that good
cigar tobacco has been grown outside of Cuba, and
what has been done may be accomplished again
My presence here is not the result of curiosity.
was impeled to attend this convention by deep in
industryI have endeavored promote for
more than decade Standing here, where years ago
visited your beautiful orange groves | recall the
first reports that reached me of the dreadful calamity
that swept from existence in single night S50000000
worth of the property of citizens of state. | re-
member how the mere headlines of the newspapers
that brought the tdings appalled, and was com
PEELED 10 lay aside the paper until had the heart to
read the sad details. Now believe that within few
years feowcitizens of the stricken section will
look back upon thefreeze with very different feel
ing
Already that afllieton has emphasized the cour-
age and endurance of our people. L remember the
bravery and patriotism of your Senators at the session
Of the Legislature following the freeze. When they
were informed that bill would be introduced TO post
pone the collection of until October. in order
that the people might recoup by sale of Strawberries
and other fruits and vegetables they replied that July
would suffice. 1t is true that the law enacted dd
postpone the collection of taxes until October al
though the original bill drawn for July, but the
amendment was not made upon the motion of any
senator from the orange belt,
lrepeat that the calamity has demonstrated the
hei"'su OF your people; but it did more-it also de
Ne'oled the heretofore unknown resources of our
great state aud IN years come if similar disaster
shal again visit it will not find people depen-
"en' upon citrus fruits, but will find them i'll the full
cJ's ieh' OF the independence and prosperity which
must no" from diversified crops; and believe that at
this because know that this tobacco can be cult
Na'ed successfully andproftably without danger from