The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1920-05-13

sight, but it would be an impossibility to
make Pine Tree State farmer realize
the extent Of this industry. For miles
and miles on either side of the highway.
as far as the eye could reach, these pota-
to fields are to be seen Some fields had
been dug over and shipped, others were
replanted to repair the damage done by
the February floods and the heavy frosts.
When one sees this tremendous acreage
of potatoes the wonder grows why such
exorbitant prices are asked for the lowly
''spud." On our trip down here gen.
tleman told us he paid 40 cts. for baked
potato at one of the leading hotels in
Jacksonville. All sorts of out door en-
tertainments are INDUCED in, among
them street dances, which is novelty to
northerner.
A street without car tracks is selected
and roped off. seats are provided on the
pavements on either side the streets for
spectators. and the smooth asphalt street
is given over to the dancers. There is
always a crowd of lookers-on as we'll as
participants. Some times the company
are masked and the costumes are, well
- indescribable.
The music lovers have had rare treat
this season, aside from the morning con-
certs at the Ponce de Leon and Alcazar
by their fine orchestras. Vessalla's cele-
brated Italian band has given two daily
concerts in the Plaza, and even the cold
weather did not deter the crowd from
assembling.
wish our northern friends could see
the beautiful magnolia trees, with their
huge waxen flower and so fragrant; Just
now they are at their best. 1t seems an
impossibility almost to get them they
grow so high. The most feasible plan
would be to take some sort of air craft
and reach down and pick them. A friend
today brought me blossom. 1t measures
about IA inches across, pure white velvety
cups, like Gala lily, and the perfume
fills the whole house.
A new industry which seems sure of a
financial success is the silk culture. DR..
Pumphylis, who has worked untiringly
for many years on this question of silk
production, and is familiar with silk
worm culture in Italy and some places in
this country, declares the climate espec-
tally favorable for the industry. He has
now $4,000 of the little white worms
which will in few days begin to weave
their web of prec Gus silk. Three pounds
of the silk cocoons will make one pound
of raw silk which sells at from S18 to $40
per pound. He can raise from $50 to 200
pounds of cocoons from one crop, and
weather conditions here are SO favorable
that eight crops can be raised during the
year. We have in our garden mulberry
tree, the leaves of which furnish the food
for the worms. 1t is most beautiful,
symmetrical shaped tree with particularly
fine foliage.
The tourist season is practically over,
but the cold weather at the North still
keeps many here. The large hotels are
closed and the stores, many of them, are
displaying the we'll known placards, "Sell-
ing out at cost" enclosing out sale, " Last
chance to buy, regardless of cost" That
is like the Golden Rule" very familiar
but seldom used.
Today we hear sugar is 40 cents per
pound l am afraid the bottom of my
sugar bowl will soon show through the
few grains have in reserve. When will
this state of things end2
But fear my letter is already too long.
A. S. F.