The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1905-12-08
Why Marion County Won.

Why Marion County Won.
The award of the first premium at
the state fair to Marion county in the
competition of collective exhibits is
due to several causes, very prominent
among them being the industrial and
commercial character of its very sys-
tematic display. But it appealed sue
cessfully to the business instincts of
the visitors and judges alike. 1t is
the first county among those making
a show, to undertake systematic de-
velopment of its agricultural resources
along those lines which are recogniz-
ed the country over as most promo
tive and productive of wealth-farm
products and live stock.
This is in strict accord with TIE
gospel which the Times has been for
years preaching to the people of this
state. We have here the foundation
for the most prosperous common
wealth in the union, the climate, soil,
productions and everyl hing that is
essential to the raising and sale of
those farm articles which have the
widest and most prominent market.
Marion county has affirmed and prov
ed this proposition, an has shown
that there are people of intelligence
engaged in such production with the
most gratifying degree of success.
Florida has hitherto been relying
too much upon her attractions rather
than her resources, and right here is
a difference and distinction which
this paper wishes every paper to
ponder. People do not and cannot
live upon attractions. But upon re-
sources they not only live, but they
accumulate surplus wealth and power,
and are then able to add as non-re-
munerative features of their lives
such attractions as taste and means
dictate. Attractions may not only be
displayed, but resources cant be ex-
plotted to their full exhaustless ex-
tent, with such practical results as
enrich the people engaged. Our at
fractions do draw to US many people
already fixed. Our resources draw to
US the larger number who wish to fix
themselves. 1t need not be stated
that the process of fixing is wealth
creating, dispensing benefits to every
body. The enjoyment of attractions
merely distributes in much smaller
proportion and to much less advant-
age wealth that has already been
accumulated.
Let the whole state emulate the eX-
ample of Marion county. Let it be
remembered that in the possession of
these resources Marion county is not
one whit ahead of the balance of us
only in the develment and presen-
tatiOn of what may be made out of
them. Hereafter the horse and COW
and hog and sheep aud hen will take
precedence in public esteem of the
beautiful fruits and flowers of our
region. Corn, potatoes, peas, casa
va, grass, cabbages, onions-and in
shurt the full list of things to be eaten
by people and fed to stock, will take
rank in front of the sweeter and more
beautiful, but less substantial, pro-
ducts of our climaoe and soil.
Without depreciating in the least
the wonderful merits of our fruit trees
and vines, it is worth while for us all
to take note that a new era has OPEN
ed for Florida. The pathway to
wealth and power has its initial point
with US. Let US tread it with sense
and resolution and industry, sure to
arrive at the goal.-Tampa Times.
wildcat Attacks q Train.
At the foot of Orange street, as
the forenoon train rushed by this
wildcat sprang from the
bushes and attacked it. The creature