The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1918-06-06
Florida as Seen by a North
CarOliHiarl

CdfOllH1dn
Arriving at Jacksonville Marcl
2nd and visiting the State agricul
tural fair we were interested in see
ino the products from all sections o
the State, not only the citrus fruit
the tropical and subtropical fruits
nlants and flowers, but the genera
farm products that included many
things grown in North Carolina anC
the Weld per acre varying according
70 soil. The livestock exhibit was
unite above what I anticipated; cat.
tie and hog-raising has been done
here doubtless ever since Spain
owned the territory and the cattle
known as natives are doubtless the
nrodeny of those shipped here from
Snain and have no marked improve
nent either in size or of less keen
nointed horns The so-called native
hoes here are about like the razor
hacks in North Carolina, but the
nro6vessive stock men are making q
change, many raising only the best
tvpes of both dairy and beef cattle.
The hogs are of several breeds bnt
generally the Red Duroc seems to be
a favOrite.
We found the temperature then
about that of midsummer 10 North
Carolina aud vegetables already for
use. The temperature has not
changed materially 10 the atmos-
nhere but the earth has become
warmer at that date. Orange and
other citrus fruit trees were in full
bloom and their fragrance filled the
air. The fruit growers were then
shipping fruit and continued ship
ping until May list, an evidence that
there is no need to fear an over
production of citrus fruits. The buy
ers have already been contracting
for this years product and advanc-
ing money on the CROP The acreage
is yearly being greatly increased by |
planting. We must also consider
the increased demand over an inn
mense territory in the United States.
The same condition applies to win
ter vegetables. Those things once
considered a luxury are now regard
ed necessity. |
AS to soils they vary as in North
Carolina. Doubtless this middle and
southern section was all water.
covered, hence generally almost
level with some pretty high ridge
lands and the rivers generally have
rather high banks. This affords a
means of drainage of the level lands
but as these lands must necessarily
have bitches in some cases many
miles in length and with lateral
bitches leading into them, the only
way it is or can be done is by cap
itaIists or forming drainage districts
as they do in North Carolina. Long,
long ago there were and are still in
some localities depressiOns full of
water and in these waters lived va
rious kinds of shell covered Great
ureS. These were SO numerous and
existed so long that they left deep
deposit of shells which is now being
turned into shell mari that is used
as fertilizer and for road building
or hard surfaciDg as North Carolina
is using stone or sand and clay.
Above these shell deposits grew
aquatic plants that decayed aud
filled up until grass grows, following
the same course until now the sur
face is higher in some cases than the
land adjoining. This type of richest
soil is known as muck land and
must also have drainage before it
can be proftably cultivated.
Sill another distinct class of land
is known as hammock, a very rich {
soil with trees growing on it and
much Of this also has deposit OF
shell mari underneath. The ham :
mock, like the muck lands, will gro"
corn, sugar cane, grass
es, ETC., but the most productive
and the OuickeSt IN come into bear.