The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1915-03-04
MORE THAN HER CLIMATE.

The newspapers Of Florida are boos- |
tiers in the truest sense Of the word
for Florida and Florida's best inter
est. which means Of course that the
newspapers Of the state do not approve
every proposition that Is designed and
submitted as n proper thing for the
best interest and advancement Of the
state, but the term simply means that
the newspapers as n rule have an eye
single TO the states best interest, and
either approve or dlsapproye schemes
and policies as they appear either
beneficial or Instantaneous.
But while the Florida newspapers |
are great boosters we fear that the
majority of them ure mistaken In the
methods employed in their boosting.
To illustrate this point more fully,
many of the papers Of the state find
practically nothing good to say about
the state save that well worn slogan
climate" Certainly Florida has n
most excellent climate, and one in
which all beneficiaries take an especial
pride, and for that reason perhaps,
many find themselves in this one rut
Of constantly and continually laying
repeated stress on the climate.
We see no objection whatever TO the
newspapers boosting Florida's climate,
for certainly it is something worthy of
every complimentary expression, but
to lay so much stress on the climate
and to say little regarding the re-
sources which enable one to enjoy such
climate, is net a policy that will add
materially TO the settlement Of the
state. One may enjoy a fine climate,
supply food, buy clothing, educate chill.
dren, pay ministers salaries and pay
other necessary expenses. Climate is
an excellent thing to be sure but it
does not appeal to one as being all
when it comes to a matter Of interest
ing them as prospective settlers.
The climate" slogan is a good one,
but 1t does not always serve as
booster for Florida. Too often the
wrong impression is made because Of
the fact that the climate takes prece-
dent over the material commercial re.
sources Of the state; tile former Is
emphasized, and by the reason of
analogy, the latter is buried as q ma
terial necessity, which Is conspicuous
for its absence, and there never was
n more absurd impression created in
the opinion of anyone. Florida has n
most excellent climate, but Florida is
equally as famous for her many and
varied resources as she is for her ad.
mirable climate, and when Florida has
come rightfully into her own, it will
be because Of correct exploit Of her
many wonderful resources.
As n horticultural and agricultural
state, Florida ranks foremost among
the American states when the popula.
tion Of the state and the number of
acres in cultivation are considered.
Ten acres of land in Florida under cul.
uvatlon Is made to yield ON an average
more money than the average 100 acre
farm In other states. This fact con.
pied with the further fact that Florl.
da Is an ideal state for stock and fowl
raising and possesses wonderful inter.
ests in the manufacture Of lumber. M.
val stores, fertilizers, to say nothing
OF Florida's immense mining interests
ITS great fishing and sponge industries
aad many other resources which %
TO make up the most independent sta.
.us commercially Of any state in the
Union. Florida should be noted for
her climate, but the facts regarding
her wonderful resources and otherwise
material advantages should not be
overlooked.