The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-01-05
FLORIDA PROSPERITY AND ITS
SOURCES OF WEALTH.
Lionel Jacobs, an Ex-Editor OF the Me-
tropoIis is Cheerful and optimis-
tic as the Years Accumulate
Upon Him.

is that of our fisheries. hundreGs Oh
vessels are engaged in the work. a
large proportion of which sails out or
Pensacola. The cargoes they bring are
Immediately packed in ice and shipped
TO Northern and Western points, and
bring remunerative prices. The sea
supply of food fishes, notwithstanding
the rapacious enemies they have in
the pOrpoises and sharks, are mex
haustible. Nevertheless the United
States hatch industries are constant
ly engaged in replenishing any partie-
ular species that becomes scarce. The
importation from the East of picked
and smoked mackerel has become
greatly reduced by similar prepara-
tions of mullet, which when taken
from the sea are delicious and pala-
table substitute. The fresh water
lakes also contribute their quota Of
black bass and other fishes to swell
the grand total The fish caught by
sportsmen are pecuniarily of little
value. but the money spent by the dis
ciples of Isaak Walton adds much to
A branch OF this business is the
oyster, which is rapidly growing to
great proportions. Those known as
the Cedar Key take the lead, as they
are preferred by epicures on account
of their rich salty sea flavor. A start
has been made in the canning of this
luscious bivalve. The factory has been
erected in Nassau county. which draws
its supplies from the Nassau sound.
1t has more orders than it can fill.
The phosphate industry is flourish
ing. and the demand for the Florida ar
ticle knows no abatement. thus adding
its quota to our prosperity.
The manufacturing of cigars exists
in many parts of Florida. but nowhere
to that extent which it has reached in
our sister city of Tampa. The in
crease in the past year has been 49,
100000, which is constantly appreciat-
ing. Those made in Tampa are very
nearly all clear Havana, and give en-
ployment to thousands of people, Great
ing business activity which is cheer
full to behold. Strikes occur occas-
ionally, but they are of very short
duration. New York is the great dis
tributing point.
Very few people are aware of the
thousands of bags of pottery clay that
Florida exports. 1t is surprising that
pottery works have not ere this been
erected near the raw material instead
of sending it out of tine state This
clay is another factor in Florida's
sources of wealth.
Cattle raising is fast developing as
an industry that will take rank with
any in the state. At present the ex-
port is principally 20 Cuba and adj
Joining territories, but there is no linn
it to its progress. because feed of a
most nutritious quality is and will be
raised here to meet the necessary re-
quirements for fattening. Thus an
other branch of prosperity is quietly
added to the many we have already,
noted.
The despised razorback hog is an
other that is. coming to the front to
prove I1orida's resources. The cross
ing Of this hog with choice breeds of
the Berkshire and other noted animals
is destined to prove of great advah-
tage and the day is not very far
distant when the importation of salt
bacon will be among the recollections
Of the past
Our citrus fruits is another item in
our prosperity. 1t is estimated that
this years yield will cover 100000
boxes of oranges. besides large guam
tity Of grapefruit. which every year
grows in appreciate flavor. The crop
of oranges and grapefruit will bring
big money to Florida and gladden. the
hearts of the growers.
The naval stores export industry
next claims our attention. 1t has built
works out on Talleyrand avenue and
fronting land in that vicinity from a
hundred to thousand dollars per
acre, besides giving employment TO
hundreds of laborers, mechanics and
workmen Of every description and
character. Not alone that. but il has
given an impetus TO the renting Of
Offices in buildings which have been
erected To meet this need. Florida is
now the headquarters of this indus
try. and it permeates every avenue
Of business, and SO we grow.
Truck farming in the southern mart
of the state is a thriving industry. and
those engaged in it are wen repaid for
their labor. The great advantage that
Florida has IS in being in the mar
ket with ripe vegetables when aaioin-
ing states north ere just beginning to
plant. Here is our advantage ana