The Lakeland evening telegram., 1920-09-22
THE PRICE OF
FLORIDA LANDS


'hat Florida lands went begging on
the market for dollar an acre. Even
IN the past decade much land has
been sold in the state for three, four
and hve dollars an acre, but the time
is passing rapidly when any such
prices will prevail for Florida lands
that are of any productive value what.
ever.
The almost unparalleled develop
ment that has taken place in Florida
IN the past ten years has established
new land values in almost every Sec
ton of the state but especially is this
true in the southern sections, where
the development has been more pro-
nounced. 1t is not an uncommon
thing at this time to hear of choice
lands being quoted at 5000 an acre,
In small quantities and it may be a
matter Of surprise when we say that
recently one of the progressive devel-
oping companies in st. Lucie county
refused 500 an acre for tract Of TO-
1000 acres IN their developed sec
tions, where drainage has been estab.
llshed and roads bbuit The land it,
self in these cases has never been cul-
tivated, but the surrounding condi-
tons have been so improved that the
land can easily be placed under culti-
Vatlon and production without fear of
losing any crops.
In many sections of Florida wild
lands are being sold in large tracts
for eight and ten dollars an acre now.
but in five years there will be no more
ten-dollar land in this state, or at
least If there is it will be land that is
unproductive. Transportation facili-
ties have held back the development
of much of the lands of the state and
compelled low prices but that buga-
boo is being eliminated by the CON
struction Of more railroads and of
canals penetrating tho wilderness sec
tions and opening them up for devel-
|opment. The great praires that have
constituted the free ranges for the
wild cattle are rapidly being fenced
up and the pasturage improved and
forage crops are being grown to i'm
prove the live stock and miles of fer
tile lands ade being developed into
great sugar plantations and general
farming.
Florida is a rich state. 1t is rich BY
nature and it is being made richer by
the millions that are being invested
in development projects of an extern
sive nature. The wonderful climate is
half the battle in the production of all
crops and the rainfall Is sufficient to
provide moisture for all crops without
irrigation, except when intensive
truck gardening is desired There are
millions OF acres of good lands in
Florida still available but the prices
are ascending and those who have
watched them so slowly but surely
from 80 cents an acre to their present
level should take warning and make
their investments while the opportun-
ity is still knocking, because II they
don't this same opportunity will have
passed, maybe for the last time. with
in their means. California has been
selling irrigated lands for $500 to
$1,000 an acre for several years and
even then the owners are making big
profits. We do not need irrigation in
Florida and We can make fortunes on
lands that can now be secured for $40
to $50 an acre. Florida people OF
means should not let all of these val
liable lands pass into the hands of
outside investors to make all the prof
its. Let us participate in our own
wealth, while we may Jacksonville
Times Union.