The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-12-21
GINI STREAM STATE
SAYS GLCHRIST
Is the Proper Name for Florida, and
Gives Many Good Reasons
for the Title

Tallahassee, Dee. 21-Since Cover
nor Albert w. Gi1christ was inaugural
ed as governor Of the state of Florida,
in January, 1909, ne has continuously
endeavored TO avail himself Of every
opportunity TO advertise and boost the
resources and superiority of Florida in
the magazines and newspaper press Of
this state, of other states and of other
countries Governor GilchTist has con-
tributed large part of such communi-
cations to various publications during
his term Of office,
In Leslie's Weekly OF December u.
1912. appeared the following article
written by Governor Gilchrist under
the head Good Times in Florida. by
Albert w. Gilchrist"
FLORIDA extends through fully five
hundred miles Of latitude and has
twelve hundred miles Of water front 1t
is bounded on the west and south by
the gulf OF Mexico and on the east by
the Gulf Stream. owing to the peculiar
shape of Florida, the Gulf Stream is
formed If there were no Florida
there would be no Gulf Stream. The
state is now sending out the Gulf
Stream of its various products to all
parts of the United States. 1t is
great mineral state, producing half Of
the phosphate of the United States and
one-third of that Of the world. Ful-
lers earth is mined in various portions
of the state. Fire clay for porcelain is
also mined 1t is a great stores and
lumber producing state. 1t is one of
the most healthfuI states in the Union,
the death rate being less than that OF
any other state and of any country in
Europe.
Our climate is a great asset. Due
to it, thousands of people visit Florida
as tourists and thousands Of people
come here to make their homes. The
benefit OF the climate in extending the
lives Of worthy men and women ten.
fifteen or twenty years cannot be es-
tfmated.
in many Of the western states, in
particular, much attention is given to
irrigation. Through It's rivers and
lakes. Florida is undoubtedly the best
watered state in all the Union. Arte-
sian water may be found in most por-
tions of Florida. Irrigation can he
cheaply done However, irrigation is
rarely used
Though not a corn producing state,
in several counties in Florida from
sixty to seventy bushels of corn per
acre have been raised. A bale of cot
ton to the acre is often raised Florida
raises fully one-third of all the Sea
Island cotton produced in the United
States. Florida peavine and beggar-
weed hay-two or three tons per acre
is now regarded as good hay as can be
produced anywhere in the world. Our
people largely specialize. In one coun-
ty fully five thousand acres are plant
ed in naper-shell pecans. In other sec
tions strawberries are raised almost
exclusively, from eight hundred TO one
thousand quarts per acre. In one com
munity Irish potatoes are raised; in
others train loads of celery; in others
tomatoes, egg plant, beans and other
vegetables. In more southern portions
OF the state. tropical and semi tropical
fruits are grown exclusively Last year
over one OF the several trunk lines of
railroads in Florida, $4,000 carloads of
fruits, vegetables and melons were
shipped. We grow cane from which
from five hundred to one thousand gal
Ions OF syrup are produced to the acre
The rays of our warm winter sun
are concentrated in. and the dew drops
are crystaIized in. these fruits and
vegetables. They are shipped to var
ious parts OF our common country,
gladdening the hearts of our far away
brothers and making life worth living
to them.
Cattle. sheep. poultry. horticulture
and agriculture flourish throughout the
state Manufacturing and mining and
the fisheries of the state are rapidly
developing. 1he manufactured pro-