Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-01
Florida Exhibit.

1t Is a generally conceded fact that the
Florida exhibit is one OF the most attract
i've as we'll as instructive displays on the
exposition grounds and is made all the more
| interesting because the many features or
exhibition have not been prepared, save in
a few cases, for exhibition purposes. One
feature that has attracted much attention
is the manufacture of palmetto brushes
from the root of the saw palmetto, that is
very plentiful in Florida. the berry OF
which is used in the making of valuable
medical compounds. The leaf Of this pal
metto makes very fine mattresses, some of
some Of which will be turned out in the ex-
hibit in few days. Physicians and drug
gists are cordially invited to inspect the
exhibit of cordials, elixirs, etc., made from
the palmetto berry.
The palmetto plants, with the fruit grow
Ing on them, are shown in profusion an at
tempt being made to reproduce a plantation
in miniature This is very interesting to
the many visitors, many OF whom suppose
the pineapple grows on trees like apples.
The cocoanuts never fail to attract attention
because of their peculiar shape while still
In the hull. There are large punches Of
these some of which have been hung up in
an old century plant. The fibre from the
cocoanut tree is quite a wonder in itself
because of It's texture and color and it seems
more like woven cloth than fibre from a
tree. The fibre surrounding the cocoanut is
used In Cuba in making couches and the
like. Some very fine orchids are exhibited.
These thrive on air and moisture and grow
In abundance in southeastern Florida.
One of the prettiest collections in the ex-
hibit, classed among the many curios, are
some shell throws and porteres made from
delicate transparent shells from the south
western coast. There are also several fine
specimens OF tarpon. Among the curios
may be seen relics from the Spanish -Ameri-
can war, Mausers that have been hard hit
on the field; machetes used by the Cubans
in battle and one of the Spanish conch hats
that was captured aboard the Spanish
steamer Argonaut, now the Coroa belonging
to the Florida East Coast Steamship COM
pany. The cotton exhibit Is the finest ever
seen In the west and has been tastefully
arranged by some women of Gainesville,
Fla. This product of the south can here be
seen growing on the plant, as 1t Is before
and after being ginned and in the four best
grades found on the market today. The
commissioner begs leave to call the atten-
tion OF the visiting friends from the sur
rounding states to the display OF the agri-
cultural section OF the exhibit where corn
can be seen as fine as that grown In any
state, and millet, sugarcane, etc., in great
variety. He also wishes to call attention
to the lines, lemons, pineapples, ETC. He
will gladly give any information to inter-
ested parties. The state OF Florida pro-
duces over one hundred different varieties
of woods, the greater portion of which is
represented In the exhibit. The bale OF
Florida tobacco that took the gold medal at
Chicago may be seen, together with other
things that were exhibited at the Worlds
Fair.
The exhibit will be open Sundays and
two attendants will show visitors every
courtesy and point out everything of inter-
est to be seen In the exhibit