The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-17

HH HE state of Florida has had much W to contend with during the past
 ten years. Storms and freezes have played havoc with the fruit growing industry and the latest catastrophe, hurricane that swept the southern. cen- tral, and eastern districts of the state, has wrought further damage. On account of the temperate climate of Florida the crops are always easily destroyed by unexpected cold snaps. The state has not yet recovered from the disastrous freeze. which destroyed the orange groves six or seven years ago. Many growers were ruined during that period and the groves were just beginning to produce their for mer abundance when the tropical storm swept over the s'ste and destroyed, it is estimated. two thirds of the crop. To one who has ever seen Florida in it's prime the news of her misfortunes will bring regret. The state Is truly one of tha few garden spots in this country. Ten years ago the great orange plantations extended for miles in all directions and during the packing season the long rows of trees loaded with golden fruit, and in- terspersed here and there with small lakes presented a very pleasing picture. Pros perity ruled at that time and the fruit growers reaped a bountiful harvest. Now California is a close rival for the orange trade and Florida has suffered by the competition. But even now there Is mon- ey in Florida fruits if the elements will give the growers a fair chance.
 
 With the passing days the big fair at St. Louis is assuming grander proportions. Vast sums of money have been appropri- ated and the expenditure has not yet ceased From present indications the Louisiana Purchase exposition will be on scale even larger than the great worlds fair at chicago, but will not be able to eclipse that exposition perhaps in popular interest. For one thing we are having too many shows of this kind and the public is becoming satiated. Every few years we are treated to a new exposi- tion. and is perfectly natural that they are becoming just trifle monotonous. It is almost impossible to have everything entirely new. The grounds are, 1t is true, arranged differently but all have the same general appearance. It is to be hoped that St. Louis will not duplicate the disas- trous record made at Buffalo. The loss to stockholders in that town was great al- though 1t was no doubt caused by the tragedy of President McKinley's death. St. Louis is large enough and strong enough to make a success of almost any thing her citizens attempt. Therefore 1t is hardly probable that the Louisiana Purchase exposition will be a failure in financial way That it will be a success in all other respects seems now to be foregone conclusion It is rumored that the egg shippers In the vicinity of Baltimore have been try ing to organize a trust. The result is that a temporary corner has been form ed in the product of the American hen and prices have gone up much higher than purchasers think the occasion de- mands. An egg trust would be a great misfortune for the restaurant public as With the price of "eggs over." two straight up. or just plain omelette, raised ten or fifteen cents by restaurant keepers there would be howl from un- lucky mortals who frequent these places. While the scheming shippers are figur- ing on a corner they had better take the hen into consideration. corner in eggs would be a very tame affair if there were no eggs to operate upon. It i Is highly probable that these gentlemen will treat the producer with marked
 
 but consumers will be the ones to suffer from the effects of the cold storage plant and the manipulations of shippers. The news that we are to have a new type setting machine will be received