Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-08-13

ably on less than 1000 acres.
Lemon grass, producing lemon grass
OIL used widely by soap and perfume
Toakers. can be grown in Florida on
land not suitable for citrus fruits. At
most, however, only about $780, 600
worth of this oil is used per year in
this country, and even if none were
imported, only 1000 or 5000 acres of
Tie grass could be raised without over
production.
! Red pepper, used both as drug and
a. condiment, seems to offer one of
the most promising fields for replacing
an imported by a domestic article. In
1915 in South Carolina 11S acres,
yielding $4,000 pounds, were harvest
cd. There is indication that this year
nearly 500 acres may be devoted to
this crop. AS 1 acre produces nearly
300 pounds and our total imports in
1914 were only S29,4S7 pounds, it
readily can be seen that a limited
acreage would provide all the pepper
this country ordinarily consumes.
Camphor trees, years of experiment
have established, can be grown sue
cessfully in Florida, along the Gulf
coast, and in some coast regions as
far north as Charleston. Only within
the last seven or eight years, however,
have the department specialists con
sidered it at all feasible to grow these
trees as source of camphor. The
specialists have discovered that in
stead of being able to take camphor
from trees only once in fifty years. as
has been the rule it is possible to pro-
duce camphor each year by pruning
the leaves from the trees and distill-
ing them. The possibilities offered by
this discovery led to the planting of
camphor trees and there are at pres
ent 1000 acres of trees growing in
Florida. A second tract of some 49,
square miles is being cleared rapidly
and planted Importations of camphor
in 1914 were only about 100000
pounds. valued at $929000. A limited
area in addition to that projected,
should supply all the domestic cam
phor for which there would be pro-
fitable demand. The specialists point
out that the domestic product, when
produced in any volume, must compete
III price with imported camphor. It is
impossible, therefore, to estimate what
prices growers could obtain for their
product after full importations are re-
sumed. This is especially true because
prices for imported camphor in the
past have been regulated more or less
by foreign control, which, in the face
of domestic competition might make
important reductions in the prices
heretofore charged for the imported
article, unless an export market be
developed.
In addition to the products mention
ed, there are hundresd of other drugs,
oils and spices which are imported
and which it is possible for this coun-
try to produce for itself. In the ag-
gregate, tie value of these imported
articles is rather imposing, as the fig
ures indicate that this country has
been bringing in and using about $685.
100000 of the various drugs, oils and
condiments. Much of this money I'M
doubtedly can be kept at home. The
mistake made by most people who
consider raising these crops is that
they are inclined to consider them as
staple crops, whereas the domestic de-
mand for them is relatively small and
no foreign market has been developed
for them by Americans.
At the same time those in charge Of
the work realize that here and there in
our agriculture, where soil and elm
attic and other conditions are right
there is room for certain small in.
dustries. For many years there has
been distinct tendency for agricul
turists to direct their energies along
limited lines This is indicated mos