The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-09


could raise the money planted new ones.
But it takes capital to engage in pine
apple growing. The actual cost per acre
of pinery is about eighteen hundred dol
lars, and then it must be carried a year
and a half to two years before the re-
turns begin to come in. When they do
come, the owner of a pnery can cross his
legs and pull down his vest IN comfort.
But the average Floridian is barred out
for want of the price of admission.
Possibly few sections of the state suf-
fered greater loss than Sanford and its
immediate surroundings. The city was
substantial in its buildings 1t had
substantial and profitable trade. Its busi-
ness men were prosperous. But the stag
nation which followed the destlna ton of
| the orange industry brought ruin TO
many, and threw a cloud over the fair
city. Thus it has remained until recently.
Efforts elong various lines have been
| made. The residents of the city have made
a heroic attempt to bring back the old
time prosperity. Their courage and de-
termination have entitled them to success.
But it is not until now that prosperity
has turned their way. Last year celery
growing was attempted on a limited scale.
The remarkable success of the experiment
inspired q new hope. Last fail a sort of
celery craze struck the town. Men sit
uated so that they could do so, planted
celery. In some cases it was but the rear
portion of the home lot; in others a few
acres. The season has proven suspicious.
and now the product is going forward and
finding a ready market at remunerative
prices.
Celery is a plant that requires much
water. In Sanford and vicinity, near the
ST. Johns river, artesian wells can almost
be had for the asking. Good flowing
wells are secured at a cost of a few dol
lars. In this particular this section has
an adv ~ 20 OH at~fc Of he
SKATE, and herein lies, in great measure,
the secret of the present phenomenal
success
The Morning News representative Wis
tied Sanford last week and found con-
dition of things which surprised him. Gel
cry is being shipped by the carload. II
is all paid for al the depot, the grower
getting his money on delivery and taking
it home in his pocket. Refrigerator ears
are used and two to four of them go
forward each day. A buyer is. on hand
with the ready cash to take all that comes
in. Even the culls and that which is GO
ing TO seed is purchased, the lower grades.
bringing 81 per crate. The fancy goods
command from S2.25 to $3.50 az the de-
pot. An Industrious young negro who is
employed as a porter in a grocery was
pointed out as one who planted his home
lot in celery. The crop on this lot will
bring him $500 One gentleman who had
five acres had just refused an Offer of
IS 900 for his crop. He hoped 20 get $780,
600 out of it,
A list of those who are engaged in the
business may not be undressing. The
names will be handy for reference should
any reader desire to communicate with
any of them: A. Robbins has 5 acres,
w Robbins 2, F.. Harold ~. II. A. Nc
Mullen IL. f. Terwiliger 2. II. H. Chap
pell q, A. Mcdonald 81, p. j. Paramore y,
| II. Mead a. J. y. Poce 5, Chase 81 Whit
| ner 70, j. N Whltner Q. J. N. Blaine u.
w. S. Baldwin H. Yancy Pitts w. w. r.
Hawkins H. Florida Land and Col. Com
pany A. In addition to these are sew
ersl small patches owned by persons
whose names were not secured.
The money being received for the crop
| brings gladness to the hearts of the en-
tire community Merchants feel the grown
Of their business deposits are increasing
in the banks, and evidence of new pros
perity are apparent all over the town The
Northern man who recently wrote of San
ford as a dead town will have to revise his
statement when he visits Florida next win
ter for the fifty acres Of celery which has
brought the beginning Of a prosperous era
this season, will be increased to 300 or 100
acres next winter.
How about the quality of goods? This is
a pertinent question and one which will
| suggest itself to every reader Of This aru-
| Gle The answer is found In the fact that
| the product OF these celery patches finds
| a ready taker In the representative of a
| Northern house, who Is on the ground and
| is ready to take all he can get at the Prices
| above stated, leaving the grower with no
| anxiety about commission men. rates of
| freight, or bother about collections. II he
| did not find ready market at a fair
| profit TO himself he would not be doing
| business al that stand very long, Ceery
| is a luxury, and hrst-class celery always
finds demand at O good price If the
Sanford celery was of an inferior quality
the Northern market would have rejected
It when IL first made its appearance. That
it calls for more and keeps up the price Is
conclusive evidence t4