The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-21

| After the first two years of its ex
1stence the Lakeland Association wa:
In bad way. II packed 1000 box
es the first year and 10000 the sec
ond. The machinery was made
quate and $4,000 boxes overwhelm
ed the house. 1t was up to those be-
hind to either finance a new house
or to go out of business. The matte,
was put up to II. ]. Drane, then, as
now, leading spirit in the com.
munity and thorough believer in
Exchange methods. The committee
told Mr.. Drane that they were be-
h1nd with their credit, but it was uI
to him to raise $4,000. Simple
matter. wasn't it? Any way, Drane
got the money, the house was erect
ed and equipped and the loan has all
been paid back through the creation
OF a sinking fund; the association
does not owe dollar, and it does
own finely equipped packing house.
Two years ago H. j. Drane was
president of the Florida State Sen
ate; last year in the ranks. What
ever his position he has always
worked for the best interests of the
FARMER, as he has seen the light, for
Drane is farmer himself among
other things. On account of his
former position he was asked this
last session what committee appoint
ments he wanted and stated that he
would like to be on the Agricultural
Committee, as he knew important
matters were coming up. He was
made chairman of that committee
and was largely instrumental in OBJ
tanning the biggest appropriation for
agricultural purposes ever passed by
the Legislature of Florida.
Lakeland is said to be 227 feet
above sea level with no higher point
either toward the Atlantic or the
Gulf. Its nine lakes are all on hill
tops with no apparent outlet. Once
when w. ]. Bryan was to make
speech at Lakeland a man came to
him and asked for some of the
strong talking points. He was told
TO talk altitude" where do YOU
get your name?" he asked. From
our lakes Then your lakes must
be in the lowlands nearby" mo,
they are on the hill-tops." Then
your lower country must be wet"
NO. was the reply, ITS our best
farming land" Then where does
your water go to and how does it get
up in the hills?" 1T runs up" was
the reply, land 1t does not run out"
When Bryan made his speech, he
spoke of Lakeland as city of big
things; big lakes, big halls and big
liars. do you know" he said, lone
OF your citizens told me that your
water runs UP hill and won't run
down hill?"
1t Is true that Lakeland is high,
that the lakes in this high country.
and that there are no outlets. The
water must come up from springs
and the only apparent loss of water
is through evaporation. These lakes
are all of clear, pure water; all fit
for drinking purpose.
The Board of Trade of Lakeland
has prepared an interesting booklet
which gives many statistics and
much information, that is free for
the asking.
Lakeland's soils are largely under
laid with reddish clay, which is
to make the best of the
high pine citrus lands. The lower
lands are used largly for celery and
other truck. The strawberry soils
are the pine lands of the lower lev
els.
In passing, ! wish to mention
point brought forward by Senator
Drane. He states that in the Gen
eral Tax Bill passed by the last ses-
sion was a small clause which allow
ed the county mmissioners to levy
n tax of 20 of one mill on the total
valuation of the county, the money
so obtained to beu sed for agricul-
tural purposes. There are many
WAYS it could be used that would
bring it under this head; for getting
rid of the tick; it could be devoted
to the extermiraticn Of citrus dis
eases or cattle epidemic, CT j. could
be used to promote agricultural
fairs. As Tampa is trying to pro-
mote South Florida fair this item
ms hocof n. rest to the men be-
hind. ! am told that Polk county
can raise total of $4,000 a year
under this law, and no doubt Hills
borough county could raise much
n ,re. provided the County Commits /
,ioners were willing.
Lakeland has three papers, two
1ailies, the Telegram and the Star
md one weekly the News, The Star
being publication three months
Did. The News and Telegram being
published by my friend, NJ. F.
4etherington, than whom there is I
10 better or more respected editor in
III Florida. Lakeland was the first
,ity ! ever visited in Florida as the
stroller, and | took letter of in ,