The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-04-19

enced farmer or fruit grower knows
this without being told, but the thous-
ands Of inexperienced people who have
cast their lot in Florida will need to
have this truth thoroughly impressed
on their minds.
second. If you expect to start on
wild land with little capital, find out by
investigation just how much cash will
be needed in getting your place ready.
You ought to know xactly how much
money will be required to provide a
home and to leave something Tor
emergencies, because the chances are
about even that you may not make
bowling success the first year or
two unless you are experienced.
Lastly make up your mind exactly
what kind Of farming you will go in
for, and what fruit or crops you want
to grow, because Florida is a big state
and the climate, shipping seasons and
products vary between the extremes
from Pensacola to Key West. After
you have made up your mind on these
points, try to get the best land and
the best location suitable for your line.
IF one has sufficient means there
are improved farms and groves for sale
in Florida is we'll as elsewhere, and the
man who does not care to go through
the pioneer stage can always find
place ready for immediate occupancy.
But l would like to add that If
people do exercise good judgment there
are splendid opportunities in Florida,
for the state has remarkable resources.
In proof Of the varied nature and the
abundance Of these resources, a man
once made the assertion to me that If
you could build a high wall around
Florida SO that nothing could be
brought in and nothing taken out, the
people within could exist and enjoy
practically all of the necessities, COM
forts and even luxuries which they
now have.
I'VE sat down and figured it out and
were surprised to find that his state
ment was based on actual facts.
Our main needs are food, clothing,
and shelter. Florida produces an
abundance Of cattle, sheep, hogs and
poultry, while her waters TEEN with
fish, oysters, CLAIMS, turtles, and other
sea food. The forests abound in wild
game, such as quail. turkey, deer, snipo,
squirrels, rabbits, and Florida is the
winter home of the duck. So much
for the meat bill.
Florida grows all of the cereals ex-
cept wheat, and grows the entire list Of
vegetables. In addition, we have q
great variety Of fruits, including those
which can be produced only in the
tropics. Coffee, tea, sugar, salt, syrup.
and tobacco are there, as we'll as milk,
butter and cheese in plenty. Nearly
every town and city has an ice plant.
This list includes many luxuries as
well as necessities.
"a man can be we'll clothed, from
head to foot and every article would
be made from the products Of Florida,
Cotton, both the upland and the sea
island, wool, leather, material for but
tons and a number of fibrous plants
and trees used for material in the
manufacture Of cloth among the prod
ucts of our state. Material for the
manufacture of glass and paper are
found in abundance.
1.-The third and last necessity is
shelter. Florida has several kinds of
building stone, as well as concrete,
brick and wood. Her forest abound
with both hard and soft woods, IN
fact everything that is used in building
house.
'The fact is that Florida is a great
big rich state, with her 1900 miles OF
sea coast. but her bigness does Mt
begin to dawn on one until he attempts
to make a rail trip from one end to he
other.
But we are not going to build a
wall around Florida, because she Is
capable not only Of supporting all the
people that can find room within her
borders, but can supply both necessit-
les and luxuries to millions beyond her
boundaries; because, for another thing,
for our 100000 acres of land we
have as yet only 100000 people; be-
cause also, when old boreas' annually
sweeps his icy fingers across the
northern part Of our country thous-
ands come south and find welcome re-
lief within her balmy flower scented
fruit laden confines. Some of our Wis
itors come to work and some to play.
while others seek rest from the trying
grind Of business, renewing in their
health and strength and, like the robin
and other migrating birds, returning
| homeward in the spring when the buds
and flowers begin to start in the north.