The St. Lucie County tribune. (Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, Fla.) 1905-1920, 1909-05-21
FHE TRIBUNE
| PRIZE WINNER
ST. Lucie County; It's History.
Resources and Possibilities"
OURTffN IN CONTEST
docs Award Second Prize to the Follow
ling Essay, Written by MalClm Moore, a
Public School Pupil in I 9th Grade

Public School Pupil IN ION Grade
Saint Lucie county, the youngest
bunty in the State of Florida, was
Eeated by the Legislature of 1905. st.
[ucie county was formerly the south
In part of Brevald county. The rea-
MS for St. Lucie's separating from
reward county were: First, that the
buntv was too large; second, that the
buntv seat was at the extreme north
I'm end of the county, and third, that
he money raised by taxes was used
BIZ improvements made in the northern
hlf of the county.
st. Lucie county is bounded on the
birth by Brevard county. The south
In boundaries are Dade county and
|ohancy bay, which is the northern
Z<art of Lake Okechobee. The eastern
oundary is the great Atlantic ocean,
Ind Osceola county forms the Western
boundary.
II The resources of st. Lucie county
fiehy lie in the extensive growing Of
ineapples and citrus fruits. St. Lucie
Dunty is the banner Pineapple section
Il the world and its delicious fruit is
'nown the world over. st. Lucie
bunty is also large producer of Or
hges, grapefruit, tangerlnes, kum-
hats, lemons and lines. Among the
Topical fruits grown, bananas, man
pes, guavas and avocado pears are
be most important.
"a The raising Of early vegetables for
he northern market: has an important
lace in the county's resources. Beans
eas, tomatoes, celery, cabbages,
rawberries, watermelons and potatoes
Re among the many vegetables grown.
It times beans have sold as high as Sl6a
basket. From the sugarcane grown in
It. Lucie county is made the finest
Erup in the world.
LAUNDERING is an important industry
i St. Luce county. Among the most
Important timbers milled are: The yell
bw pine, the great timber of the south;
Eprus, because of its being so light
hid because of its lasting qualities, is
sed in the building of ships and boats,
hingles, crates and telephone poles;
he mangrove, some kinds make finest
brniture. From mangrove bark is
hade the finest tanin. Land is re-
Banned by the mangrOve tree; the
FOod also makes excellent fuel, and
he ashes make good fertilizer as they
bntan high percent of potash. Pal
hetto logs, on account Of their lasting
Qualities, make excellent posts for
Rharves and boat houses. Scrubbing
brushes are made from the tibery trunk
d the pamettO tree.
Medicine is made from the juice of
he saw palmetto berries, and from the
bots are taken annually tons of tanin.
Feather tanned with this tann is super
pr to oak tanned leather.
The fisheries of St. Lucie county are
(mong the richest in the State In
he Indian river are found in abund-
(nce, mullet, trout, bass, bluetish, pom
Rano, sheepshead, and many other fish.
Fishing for green turtles is OF import
nce, Spanish mackerel fishing in the
atlantic ocean forms very important
Part of the fishing business. In the
Rkes, creeks, rivers and streams can
Pc found trout, bass and turtle.
Oysters of superior quality and
lavor are taken from the Indian river.
IN the Indian river are found clans.
rabs and shrimps. In the Indian river
Ind Atlantic ocean are caught sawtish,
he saws of which make beautiful
Prnlments. Tourists pay handsome
prices for them, shells are also highly
Valued.
st, Lucie county has the ideal climate
pf the world, neither too hot nor too
Gold. During the winter months. hur-
Preds of people come from the northern
Plates, to escape the dreary cold win,
FER days there, and to enjoy our mllo
climate, our evergreen trees and now
Prs. During the summer months, the
preezes are from the sea, cool aid re-
freshing; therefore this model cline
attracts both the tourist and home
Becker.
Hunting during the fall and winter, is
hn attractive sport, both for settler
mo tourist. Deer, turkeys. DUCKS,
RlllgatOrs, and small game are found
IN abundance in the unsettled western
ranges of the county. Ducks are also
found in great numbers on the Indian
River.
The soil of the East Coast or ridge
IS sandy, and just suited to pineapple
culture. The soil of all the fiatwooos
end hammock lands is rich as any IN
khe world. The lands have either q
marl or clay subsoil and in some places
IOure muck ia IN he found
The most important minerals f0unu
Pin st. Lucie county are: Shell, used Tor
foadmaking; mari, used as a fertilizer
and also used for roadmaking, ana
|sand, used in the manufacture OF con-
crete bIilding and paving blocks.
Trapping Is an important Occupa-
|tion. The hides of alligators, rae
coons, foxes and offers are among