The Palatka news and advertiser., 1915-08-13
FLORAHOME DRAINAGE.
Editor Palatka News:


terest your readers if we told them
something of what we have seen.
We visited the dredge and watched
it at work. We drove perhaps two
miles through sun and shade, and
then proceeded on foot for i.alf mile
or more through weeds and corn fields
that line the margin of the canal, be-
fore we came to the object of our tire
some journey. Manned by two men
the dredge was lifting out dirt at a
good clip. When it dove down with
its mouth open, it brought up good,
rounding dipper full, which it Gwung
and emptied with apparent ease
then went Immediately after ano3her.
The dredge so far has been working in
what is known as the north prairie.
1t has only partially excavated sew
eral miles, but will return and finish
later on. The water has been drop
ped two feet or more below the sur
face, and on every hand can be seen
fields of the finest corn, and of the
darkest green color. In walking
through we saw stalks where we
could barely reach the ears. AS we
stood in the wagon looking over these
vast fields, all grown without fertili-
zer, muck land stock went up 25 per
cent with US in no time.
The practical eye can readily see
that when the drainage is complete
much better crops can be grown. Wa
ter in the handmade bitches was
moving at a good speed, showing
plenty of fall. We have reason to
hnlt hpt l.. r
500 bushels of onions can be raised
to the acre, and celery is right at
home here. If these lands were near
Cleveland, Ohio, we doubt if they
could be had for less than $500 per
acre. Remember these lands were
practically worthless before dredging
was begun.
A dam raises the water some three
feet to float the dredge at its present
workings. 1t is nearing Zeigler's
Lake and is perhaps one mile from
the G. S. & F. R. r. track.
Our own little possessions are on
the south prairie and the dredge two
miles away with the result that the
only crop in sight is the range cattle,
which are looking very fine. We be-
lieve the time is ripe for the cattle
men to move en- masse to remove the
cattle tick. When we can see so acres
of corn with other crops and stock
enough to feed it to, we will then feel
as if the world is the better for our
having lived in it.
AS soon as the water in the canal
can be lowered two and a half feet
(Which should be in six months time(
these lands will be better worth 500
per acre than 81 in their present con-
dition. We have christened our plan |
tation the "Island Farm from the
fact that an elevation of perhaus two
acres is covered with timber, and in
its submerged days was an island.
known to hunters of years ago. Our
building site of four acres in the
hammock would be sight were it not
for the intervening timber; and our
little habitation while not elaborate,
will answer for a retreat in time of |
storm. We hope to make it the neu-
cleous for a farm on which we may
return to the occupation of our dad |
dies if it is not too late in the day. |
With both high and low land there |
need not be day in the year that |
we could not bring in something for
the table.
AS we stood on the high land look
ing over the broad stretches of rich
prairies, covered rs it is with a rich
growth of grass and weeds, and know
ing that similar tracts are to be found
in many parts of the state, we thought
what a financial loss. Statistics tell
us that during the past fiscal year
there was imported into the United
States food stuff to the amount of
SAP, 900 ,000-$l35, 100000 for sugar
alone. Florida could produce every
pound of this and much more. With
that vast sum going out of the coun-
try, and these rich cane lands lying
idle and thousands of men looking
for work, we feel that it is the imper-
ative duty of every good citizen to
use his utmost efforts to encourage
all drainage projects, that we may
strive to put the trade balance a lit
tie more in our favor. Our full sup
ply of Ssubar and syrup could be rails
ed at home if our available lands
we're brought under cultivation. The
)usisness is profitable and the demand 7
or a tirst-cdaSs article is almost un-
United. !
The same may be said of corn and
,ther forage crops when raised and
ed to stock or poultry The demand
S likely to keep ahead of the supply.
What an opportunity awaits the hand
# the settler when these lands are
'ustling with growing crops, and the
'ange stock gives way to sleek, blood
ID animals, and the high lands now
covered with forests, where nature
las done its full share in providing
desirable locations upol which the |
ettler can build his cottage; then he !
an rest under his own vine and fig a
rec and meath the branching oaks t
md magnOlias. +
With telephone communication al I
eady established. the railroad depot :
,ut in proper shape with an agent
guaranteed as soon as business war d
ants, we have abundant reason to I
clieve that bright prospect awaits d
his thrifty, enterprising settlement. l.
We see no special inducements for =
he tender foot; the inducements are 5
or real men. Any dude with sufi- I
lent energy to pull smoke through a {
h.