The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1915-01-07

| The chief industry is fishing, in which
six wholesale firms with 300 or more mer
are engaged. Capital invested in the
business is estimated at $4,000, anG
large shipments of fish on ice are made
almost daily during fishing seasons
The bulk of the fish shipped are mullet
but many pompano, Spanish mackerel
bass. trout, sheep-head, snapper and 9TH
er fine food fish are shipped. The oyster
business is small.
Next to fishing, the cultivation of fan
cy pineapples engages most attention, as
the profits of this industry often reach
$500 an acre. 1t requires about $500 to
properly prepare and plant an acre in
pineapples, but after this, 5000 a year
would cover the cost of cultivation. The
plants bear in twelve to eighteen months
after planting and continue to bear an
nually thereafter without repianting for
five or six years
Truck farming is an industry yet in
it's infancy and offering good returns
on intelligent and well directed efforts
All kinds of vegetables yield good crops
Profitable and easy crops to raise are
sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes and sugar
cane, which pay $3.50 to $500 per acre.
Oranges, grapefruit, lemons and lines
are successfully grown; so are some 9TH
er fruits of lesser note.
Prices of town lots and of lands out of
town vary so greatly that it is imprac-
ticable to give quotations here; but al
most any one who does not expect to
find in a new and sparsely settled coun-
try like this. the improvements and con-
veniences of Ohio and Massachusetts,
can find here something to suit him in
price and character. whether he wishes
improved or unimproved property.
The town government consists of a
mayor, marshall, five aldermen. clerk, col
lector and assessor and a treasurer. The
streets are hard-surfaced and so are
miles of public roads leading into town;
and the people of the town and surround
ing territory have recently voted in favor
of the creation of a special road and
bridge district and the issuance of $780,
1000 of bonds for the construction and
Improvement of highways The town
has voted $50, 100000 in bonds for sewer
age and water works.
The location is one of the healthiest
to be found anywhere, as is shown by
vital statistics kept by the local health
officer.
A man can work out of doors here any
and every day in the year. Prostrations
from heat never occur. The climate here
is ideal the year round.
Flowing artesian wells may be obtained
here at varying depths, and a number of
tI,, Ia,
some for irrigation and others for supply
ing drinking water, etc. The water from
these artesian wells contains mineral
properties and is said to possess medic
cinal value, some citizens claiming to
have been cured of various ailments by
drinking it freely. The town owns two
of these wells, a small one which supplies
public drinking fountain and a large
one that supplies fire protection through
a main laid for the purpose.
Our people are from various states and
countries and are very liberal and toler-
ant in their views and opinions. They
are hospitable to respectable strangers,
generous to their neighbors. to the poor
and needy, progressive and enterprising
to the extent of their means. law abiding
and united for the common welfare OF
their community. No kinder. better peo-
pie are to be found anywhere.
There are but few dwellings or cottag-
es for rent. but those that are renting
bring from $1,000 up per month.
Opportunities for amusement and rec
reation are varied and abundant. the
finest fishing in the world is offereu,
there's boating, bathing and other out
door sports that may be had.
In conclusion, whatever your object
may be, whether business or pleasure,
investment or recreation. health or hap
piness of any kind, it will be to your in
terest to visit Punta Gorda, where d
cordial welcome awaits all good people
regardless of whence they come or what
may be their politice or religion.