The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-04-25
THE NEW SOUTH
(By Miss Lurlene Pillans)

ashes. Cities partially burnt, wer
rebuilt, and again came to life. At
lanta is perhaps the greatest ex
ample of this type, as in 1864 it wa
in ashes, and yet today it is one O
the leading commercial centers O
the South, possessing several medi
cal, dental and business colleges ant
immence factories of various kinds.
Farms, lying so long untenantet
were cultivated. Not under the ole
system were the agricultural indus.
tries of the South resumed, for small
| well-cared for farms took the place
of the large, partially neglected
plantations of former days. Science
now began to play an important
part in farming and today we have
the results of the application of
scientific rules.
The new South is steadily pro-
crossing. Only in this enlightened
day have the great natural advan-
tages of the Southland been realized
and utilized.
The raising of vegetables for
Northern markets is now one of the
most profitable industries and each
year sees an increase in the demand
for Southern products.
Cotton is king. But, unlike former
times, it is not only grown, but 'tis
now manufactured in the South.
However, cotton is not the only pro-
duct. The sugarcane and rice fields
of Louisiana and Texas, and the
corn and tropical fruits of the east
ern southern states yield annually
large results. The Virginia leaf to-
bacco is noted throughout the world
for its excellence of quality Nor
are the industries confined to farm
ing. Manufacturing is quite an i'm
Dortant factor in the commercial
life While as yet the south is not
noted for her manufacturing alone,
as certain sections of the country
are, she is approaching the time
when she will be, for the raw ma
terial is first hand and therefore
more easily and cheaply secured.
Louisiana refines her own sugar as
do the other states that raise it. The
coal and iron mills of the central
southern states are extensive and
constantly increasing, and the quar-
ries of Georgia and Arkansas pro-
duce an excellent quality of marble.
The phosphate mines of Florida are
very prolific and contribute largely
to the worlds supply. And yet the
natural resources of the South have
been but little developed, and manu-
featuring in some sections but in it's
infancy.
The education of the southern peo-
pie has not been neglected Numer-
Gus colleges in which special studies
may be made have been built
throughout the land and the public
schools are well equipped and regu-
lated notwithstanding the Difficult
ties they have had to contend with
since the civil war.
The ports of Savannah, Key west,
New Orleans, Jacksonville and Will
mington all have splendid harbors
and are in direct communication
with the commercial centers of the
world.
The rivers form regular net
work and are used to a great advan-
tage in transportation; trunk lines
extending north and south and from
Atlantic to Pacific are in operation
But one of the greatest and grandest
works being done is that of beautify-
ing the war-ruined spots of this land.
The historic Lookout Mountain has
been improved and made great
tourist resort, the National Park at
Chicamauga is a thing of joy in its
beauty, and magnificent cemeteries
in memory of the brave heroes are
many.
Thus we see the new South of to-
day standing in all her glory. as yet
upon the threshold of untold enter
prises with unlimited possibilities.
and future all bright and rosy.
The shackles of war have been
cast aside and having passed
through the refining fire. she has
come forth chaste and exultant
There was a South of slavery and Sc
cession-that South is dead. There
is South of union and freedom
that South, thank God, is the living,
breathing new South.
mt into the American scheme OF