The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-11-30
FLORIDA THE BRIGHTEST
STAR on the FLAG
GovernOr Gilchrist conefsely but Com
psehensiveiy Tells Of the Beauties
aud Resources Of Our Great
state

aad ResOUFceN Of Our Great
state
The following article. written by
Governor Albert w. Gilchrist. who new
er misses an opportunity Of advertis-
ing Florida's advantages, appears in a
widely circulated Industrial edition OF
the Atlanta Constitution. published
Sunday.
The mainland OF Florida extends
north and south through 400 miles.
The insular possessions extend thru
72 miles, making 472 miles from the
extreme northern to the extreme
southern end of the state. 1t Is bound
ed on the east by the Atlantic ocean,
on the south by the Atlantic ocean and
the Gulf OF Mexico, except for a dis
tance Of As miles, where it is bounded
by the state Of Alabama
Owing to it's extending through 472
miles of latitude, and owing to water
protection. a great diversity OF pro-
ducts are raised in the state. In fact,
it is the only state in which are ship
ped to the market standard crops ev-
cry month in the year. In the more
northern portion Of the state there are
what is known as the red clay hills. In
undulating, hill and dale. many runn-
ing streams. On these lands cotton.
corn. tobacco. sugar cane. hay and all
kinds Of vegetables are raised. Tho
not claimed as a corn-producing state.
yet where skill and intelligence have
been exercised IS. 80 and as much as
10 bushels Of corn have been raised
to the acre. The red clay soil could
be easily made to produce as much Of
the staple crops as are produced on
similar lands anywhere in the United
States. AS much as 100 or 1900
pounds to the acre OF high grade to-
bacco Is also grown in some OF the
southern counties. and on sandy soil.
This is far from being an exceptional
production. In many OF these more
northern counties large pecan trees
are in evidence. showing the adapta-
bility of the soil to their growth. In
one county alone there are fully 5000
acres planted in pecan trees. Sea Is
land cotton or long staple cotton is
successfully raised in several of the
counties of the state. Some OF the
farmers have begun to use the West
ern plan Of converting corn. chufas,
and potatoes into hogs and into stock.
south Florida
In the more central portions Of the
state, corn, cotton, tobacco and sugar
cane are also raised. Many Of these
counties, however, engage in truck
growing, finding it very profitable. In
the southern counties Of the state cot
ton is not raised. However, L am satis-
fed. from isolated instances, that cot
ton would do we'll Still. people have
truck raising and fruit growing. and
to cattle. The people Of Florida ap-
parently localixe certain industry. In
potatoes is q great industry. In other
portions Of the state these potatoes are
grown, and grown very proftably. yet
the growing Of such potatoes is a mere
incident. In another portion OF the
state celery is the main crop: another
strawberries; another tomatoes. etc
Thus in some communities it seems as
II all the vegetables are grown. nc
one particular crop being peculiar to
that particular community.
Thirty-five or forty years ago there
were practically no vegetables shipped
from Florida, and but little fruit Re-
Gently an offer Of one Of the three OF
four trunk lines in Florida informed
me that his road alone shipped in one
season over $4,000 carloads Of fruits
and vegetables The cities Of the
northern part Of Florida are distant
from New York a little over a day
putting our fruits and vegetables in
the Northern and Eastern markets by
express trains and refrigerator cars
practically fresh.
Florida has 1900 miles Of sea coast
The fishing industry is necessarily
very large Fish Is shipped by express
on ice to various portions Of the coun-
| try. as far north as New York. and te
Chicago in the Central Northwest. We
are, therefore. furnishing the brair
food to many people of the United
States. The citrus fruits, oranges
grapefruit and lemons, are not onl,
pleasant to the taste and beautiful tt
the sight, but are very hea1thful Mos,
Of these fruits are enemies to The
germs Of fever. Vegetables are als<
conducive to health. Owing to hel
climatic conditions. Florida is annual
ly shipping many thousand trainload!
of vegetables to the various portion:
Of the United States in the fall, wintel
and early spring. The warm rays O.
the winter sun. the pearl Of the dew
drops, the moisture-laden Gulf ant
Atlantic breezes. have all been Flor
idaized in our marvellous fruits ant
vegetables. We, therefore, annual!
send $4,000 to 100000 carloads OF deli
cious and alth-giving delights to tn
people Of many states Of our grea
country.
! A Healthy State
Years ago the health and genera
i natural conditions Of Florida wer
misrepresented. People had an ide'
THAT the entire southern part OF tn
state was composed almost exclusive
ly of swamps, alligators and malaria
The death rate as shown by the Flor
ida state census. Is s.5 per thousand
Thousands OF people. whose health ha
been destroyed in other states. come t
Florida to die, and are surprised I
find themselves living twenty-five O
thirty years longer. Very few peopl
realize the great benefit to the Unite
States and to humanity In the fac
; that the climate of Florida and tn
healthfulness Of the country has ex
tended the lives Of useful. fntel1igen
men and women from q quarter to
half century. These people who's
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