The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-01-08
Development of The Low
Lands Of FlOrida---NO. :
By Jacob Shanibarger.

worldwide famous Hastings Irish po-
tato region: and which is now being
profitably directed toward stu other
agricultural specialties, as occasion,
not to say emergency, suggests, or
yet dictates.
This region, 1t viii be found, is
not only Flat woods, but is Flat woods
of such low altitude, geographically
considered, as to be susceptible to, or
to be made yet more valuable and
available by the agency, or instru-
mentality Of artesian wells, or an ar
tesian water-supply, for the purpose
Of emergency and needy irrigation at
times, to supply the imperative mois-
ture being exacted, regularly, by GER
tain crops; the Irish potato being
one of them.
A Visit to the Region.
Some II or IA years ago, the writer
for certain purpose, debarked from
en- excursion train enroute for ST.
Augustine, and spent a whole day
out from East Palatka, east OF Fed
eral Point, and in the vicinity of the
now famous section, but then, in its
early stages; yet being interspersed
and intersected with the large drain
| age bitches, which serve alternately
for the two purposes-drainage and
frrigation-the one to carry off sur
plus waters in time of unusual rains,
or floods,-and the other to conduct,
artificially. and judiciously, from the
artesian wells, the (drouth) require
ment Of water and moisture to be dis
trIbuted over the fields by smaller
| uateraD bitches, as desired. In this
sense, too, naturally, the industry in
wolves more or less of capital; as said
wells, in addition to the drainage fea-
ture-are materially expensive: all
! OF which, however, bespeaks for the
promoters, the originators, the ex-
plolters, so to speak, Of the vast and
now practical and profitable, not to
say lucrative scheme, degree of
credit and Of merit. not usually taken
into consideration. And besides,
solving, In part, at least, this great
and at one time tabooed proposition
that of turning to account these vast
areas of Florida Flat woods.
Will Be ThickIy Settled.
Just what remains to be done with
the other similar immense scopes of
Florida surface, is left to be seen,
is left for future agricultural gem
fuses and experimenters to determine:
yet, that such will ultimateIy,-will
steadily. if not speedily result, or
eVentuate, is presumably, and strong
~ so,--among the likelihood of our
agricultural and needful progress;
needful because Of the climatic, and
other incidental features of Florida
invitation: Needful, secondly, because
OF the unusually multiplied numbers,
not to say hosts, Of people and set
tiers, that the like augmented num-
bers or land promoters are landing
within F'lorida's borders; to succeed
the wide range previously occupied.
and now being vacated successfully
by the naval stores( turpentine, saw
mill, and general timber operators !.
needful, thirdly, in part, because of
the fact Of F'lorida's general altitude
above sea-level, and so-making pre-
sumptively rational the belief, in
practical redemption, ultimately-of a
very extensive ratio, or proportion of
all, or many, or large acreage, of
much of these lands: Needful, fourth
ly, because of presumable Florida
possibilities, yet in prospect; and
needed, as vantage ground from which
| W SApiOiS luSsS, uDI STOuuuiSsS, pos
sibilities, as by the remarkable growth
of the phosphate industry ITSELF
Fuller's earth, and other deposits; to
mention, in small way, that OF
gypsum, or land plaster-(a famous
sweetner Of sour land -extensive de-
posts of which, a retired physician
and erstwhile geologist, of this place
claims to have a ''cinch" on. and as
| hoinp fIrt71 n
yeloped agricultural resources.
And so, lastly, as to the value. to
our state, of these extensive, and
broadly expansive stretches Of now
chiefly enchanting scenery-may II
not be hoped, that they may be turn
ed, may be converted, into what
some are sanguine enough to believe
will, some day-one day-become
among the most, If not the most
cherished Of Florida's acreas.