The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-20
ORLANDO TO OCALA.
signs of Improvement Seen All Along
the Route.

Ocala, Fla, April ia daylight run
over the Florida Central and Peninsular
Railway from Orlando to Ocala, via Ia
wares and Wildwood, brings one through
a section of the state that suffered terri>
bly, from the great freeze, was badly hurt
by the cold snap of last winter and is now
suffering from long continued and severe
drought. To people dependent upon their
crops for support these things have
brought heavy burdens, and yet the num-
Der of those who have fallen under such
burdens is small, as compared with the
drawer hearts that have picked the flint"
TO use an old expression, and resolved to
try, try again."
In Orlando the pineapple industry has
made great activity all about the suburbs,
and hundreds of acres are being enclosed
Tor new pineries for men of means, who
are simply seeking what they consider
good investments. Several of the largest
of these pineries are located on the Flor
ida Central and Peninsular Railway and
/ also noticed other new enterprises in the
same suburb. Al Toronto, where the OLD
Orange Belt Railroad crosses, l noticed
that the Plant System had torn down the
depot and now make their connection at
Railroad crosses, andwhich has been made
narrow gauge to run into the Orange
Belt at or near Palm Springs.
The saw mills on the route appeared to
be doing a good business, which was ac-
counted for by the Improvements in old
buildings and the erection of new ones in
both town and country. Few abandoned
groves and homes were to be seen, but
rather. evidences of a determined purpose
~. 49,
improve the neglected homes. Every
where large fields of oats were visible
although suffering, like the corn fields, for
want of rain. Some of the farmers have
irrigated their groves and truck farms and
thereby escaped loss, but a. great many
others are sufferers from the long dry sea-
con, one of the worst ever known
A ride over the hills around Ocala
which boasts of its beautiful hills and val
leys, convinces the observer that this sec
ton has suffered less than almost any
other from the drought. Some of the pc
tato farms are simply immense, and Chc
crops promise big profit TO the owners
The same is true of The extensive cab
bag fields that adjoin the potato farms.
If rains come to the anxious farmers soon
the prospect will brighten all over South
Florida to all but a few whose crops are
now beyond the reach of recuperation A
great deal of corn will simply make fod-
der. and a short crop of that. while many
oat fields will be harvested in like manner
for green fodder only. As a rule, there
seemed to be hooefulness all along the
route, as evidenced by new fences, newly
piowed ground and new or improved buiic-
ings. The loss of young budded trees the
past winter was so great that many orange
growers are considering plans to protect
such trees the same as our pineappies are
now protected-by Slated sheds.
orange county with Orlando for its
county seat, has just ''gone dry in a
local option election, the result of the big
tent meeting held there by Rev J. W.
Lee the eloquent Irish evangelist from
North Carolina. who also organized there
several effective anti-saloon leagues. Oca-
Ia the county seat of Marion county, Is
now TO enter upon similar contest.
Evangelist Lee last night closed a two
weeks series of tent meetings here, which
nave accomplished great good. Yesterday
afternoon he held an anti-saloon service
ana organized what he called one Of his
best officered white leagues. Tonight he