The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1915-01-07
FLORIDA AS A
HARD Tor" VIEWS 1T.


While Fluridn In the past has been
looked upOn by the people Of the north
aud west ~ u country Of swamps and
! pestilence into which they hesltated
| Ia venture. But once did they continue
their southern journey beyond the
| boundary lines Of the once more fam
ptls southern states into the land Of
| sunshine aud seml-trOpical fruits. they
would hccomc fascinated with the
country aud delighted with the beau
tiful. picturesque scenes which nature
has 80 literally bestowed upon this,
the destined Italy Of America
Not only does natures beauty aud
the gulf tempered zephyr hrcczcs ap.
neal to the Hard Top. as also the az
ricuturul possibilities aud resources
If these vast undcveloped wooded aud
prairie lands.
While to me II would seem like van.
lallsm to lntrude upon these sacred
picturesque hnmmociS Of towering
head palms looking down upon the out
stretched arms Of the world renowned
live oaks draped not as they seem t.
appear with veil Of mist. hut with
the famous velvet-lll,c Florida moss.
While landscape paintings may con
rey some ideas Of original beauty aur
qualification, It remains 10 those VIII,
have not looked upon and admired the
vast prnirlcS In this vicinity to be con.
WINGED that art us yet has not reach.
ed the climax. Should any one desiring
a soul thrilling scene of natures art.
let them pass out beyond the shadows
If the tall. stately pines just NJ the
sun. like II hall OF fire, dropping int
the gulf.
Then look up ON the prairie MS II
seems tn Ice walled to skies with the
tall. majestic pines crested with the
over living green blending In symua
thy with the grass covered mother
earth. touched ~ with an artists
brush. which Is only surpassed 10y the
bcautiful wild flowers. herds Of cattle
nnd fiocks Of SHOW white and other
birds who sound a note Of warning
10 all trcsmssrr~ upon this. their GOV.
ctcd domain.
While some parts Of this country are /
referred To ~ prairie. in this casa the |
term Is sinndcruus and misleading.
The definition If prairie Is given ~ a |
tract Of land destitute Of timber etc
II certainly Is beyond my cumprchpu-
sion 10 Imagine 0f any tract of land |
or place Of abode that would apppul !
more directly To the home seeker ~.
ngriculturiSt of other states who have
looked upon the barren. unadOrned ,
ihalri"s Of now moro developed cOru. 1
tries ia pioneer days, without bccUm. |
ing cnthused. Looking out 50 far u
the eye can carry YOU, with its mOnof
ohouS face broken w. with the mos.
h'hutltul hHmuuckS OF palms. live oak
ana many other tropical plauts auC
tlces making an ideal spot for homo
~ 10 Flurida'S resources. it IL hpr5
worthy of further mention. Thee
Years ago. at. the time Of my Previous
Visit here. only one tract Of ground
was oleurd up for truck gardening
but look now at the ncreage--a won.
der to the Tllurd Top" and Il surprise
10 the native Cracker who has re.
li"l ana put his all into fruits. win
'uti dare Ia predict that the limit hu
yet been reachcdt
In this connection / cannot refraiu
n ON referring a. the city NJ Arcadia.
The HOVER of DeSOtu county. and cr
pressing my wonder AT it, lmprov,
inrntS aud marvellous building boo.
now on. The new court house and
school buildings certainly are Il credit
lhc hard roads and street work show
ma interest. The large packing house.
and other Industries show thrift. m,
beautiful aud pnIatial homes with
their artistic surroundings show Der
Soual pride ana taste.
Yet by way If criticism it is hard
to understand why In this mctropnlitnu
city. stock j. allowed 10 RIM M larg,
Ia litter up the sidewalks and MAJ
the henuty Of the streets compelli,
The erection Of high fences, obstructn
the view of the attractive homes main
tanned by yonr citizens.
r. +. WEAVER.
Arcadia. Fla. Jan, |. 1913.