The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-07-08
MARION COUNTY HAD THE GREATEST INCREASE
IN ACRES CULTIVATED DURING THE WAR
It PRODUCED LAST YEAR THE GREATEST VARIETY OF FIELD CROPS AND ONLY FOUR
SECTIONS OF THE STATE RAISED MORE VEGETABLES


war, Marion county showed a greater
increase in acres under cultivation
than any county in Florida. The
number of acres under cultivation in
1917-1S was nearly three times the
number of acres under cultivation in
this county in 1914; and there was
a substantial increase over 1856,
according to the figures of the fif-
teenth biennial report of the depart
ment of agriculture of the state, just
issued. In Marion county in 1914,
the number of acres under cultivation
was 39,897; in 1876. the number
was 1862; and in 1917-18 the num-
mer had increased to 92,1 ,199. Only two
counties of the fifty-four in the state
had a greater number of acres in cul-
tivation last year.
The value of all farm products in
Marion county in 1912 was 1858, ,103,
and last year the total value was
St, 5,504 ,446, an increase of $2,911 ,343,
or more than double.
The report of the department of
agriculture, just issued, shows that
Marion county produced in 1918 a
greater variety of field crops than
any county in Florida; and only four
counties produced a greater variety
of vegetables and garden products
This county produces twenty-seven
kinds of field crops, and sixteen kinds
of vegetables, besides citrus and
other fruits, and nuts. 1t is the most
versatile county in Florida.
Only six counties in the state, in
1917-18, had a greater number of
farms than Marion, and in all of these
six the average size of the farms was
smaller than in this county. Only four
counties in the state had a greater
number of acres in farms than Mar
ion. Marion had 212,547 acres, and
our next door neighbor, Alachua, had
the greatest number with 317,264
Only two counties in the state, Alach-
ua and Jackson. had a greater num-
Der of improved acres. Only two
counties produced more corn than
Marion. Only two counties produced
more oats. Only five produced more
sweet potatoes. Out of the fifty-foul
counties in Florida, only five produc-
ed more rice. This county was seventh
in the production of sugar cane
syrup; fourth in field peas, first in soy
beans; second in field pea hay; fourth
in native grass hay; fourth in Natal
grass hay; first in sorghum; fourth
in peanuts; seventh in wool; eighth
il velvet beans; second in cassava.
Only three counties raised more let
tuce than Marion. Only six produced
produced more tomatoes. Only two
more watermelons. Marion county
leads in cantaloupes. She was third
in string beans; eleventh in oranges;
third in pears.
Only one county, and that our
neighbor, Alachua, had more horses
than Marion. This county had the
greatest number of asses and jen-
nets. In the number of cows kept fol-
milk Marion was exceeded by ten
counties; in hogs on hand July 1, 1918
by five counties; in hogs slaughtered
for pork nine counties; in hogs
slaughtered for bacon by six coun-
ties; in hogs sold living by three
counties; in sheep on hand, July L
1918, by four counties; in horse colts
by no county; in mules by 15 coun-
ties; in mule colts by two counties
Eighteen counties produced more
milk, and ten counties produced more
butter than Marion.