The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1911-04-14


ing, coach and saddle horses), is en-
gaging increasing attention, and mule
breeding is firmly established as a
farm industry.
The introduction of the popular
breeds of poultry has been very ex-
tensive on the farms of this county
the past few years. The market for
poultry and eggs is good the year
round
Marion county early earned its rep
utation as a producer of the finest.
best-keping and highest-priced or
anges and grapefruit in the state. 1t
contained originally more wild orange
groves than any other county. While
the growing of citrus fruits is no long
er the chief industray of the county,
some of the finest and most profitable
groves in the state are maintained,
chiefly about Orange Lake and Lake
Weir
Strawberries are grown commercial
ly. but vegetables yield greater profit.
The finest figs, peaches and guavas
are grown. The native fruits produc-
ed wild in great profusion are black
berries, dew berries, blue berries,
mulberries, plums. grapes and per-
simmons.
! While any of the specialties may
be pursued with ample profit by intel
, ligent, industrious farmers, the ex-
perience of the past few years has
demonstrated that the average farmer
will find more certain and more salts
! factory returns in general agriculture.
! including trucking. grain and live
stock.
] The corn produced here has a high
er protein content than corn grown in
the central west, and is consequently
of greater feeding value. 1t also goes
further in feeding, as corn is not re-
quired to maintain bodily heat in the
winter time
Industrial products include turpen-
tine, rosin, baskets, crates, carriers,
spokes, rims, foundry castings and ci-
gars. Vegetable canning factories are
in successful Operation.
The county originally was COM
pletely covered with yellow pine, cy-
press and hardwood timber, including
oaks of many varieties, ash, gum,
hickory, magnolia, bay. iron wood,
elm, maple and other kinds OF timber.
President Roosevelt, on recommen-
dation of the United States depart
! ment of agriculture, recently created
the Ocala forest reserve, including
I, POI, 4SO acres, lying east of the Okla
waha river in this county.
The market for staples is at home.
Cabbage, cantaloupes, melons, lettuce
and other truck, and oranges, go to
every town on the Atlantic seaboard,
including the great tourist hotels on
the east coast of Florida, and west to
the Mississippi river, and beyond, and
also for export to Canada and Cuba
1t is only twenty-four hours to New
York by express, fifty to sixty by
freight. 1t is twenty-four hours to
Cincinnati by express and thirty-four
hours to Chicago.
The Oklawaha, one of the most IA
nous rivers in Florida, traverses the
county from north to south, while the
st. Johns forms a portion Of the east
ern boundary, and the Withlacoochee
considerable part of the western
boundary. Silver Springs, one of the
greatest of natural curiosities and
beauties, big crystalline river burst
ing forth from a depth OF 20 feet, is
the delight and wonder OF every new
conner to this section. II has produced
more favorable comment than any
other attraction in this ssection ard is
considered che OF the greatest Of the
seven wonders"